Is the 4 1/4 yds of dark green star pattern exclusively for the borders or will some of it be used for the body of the quilt?

Hi Cordelia, I really want todo this, but haven´t got sufficient materials. So start without me and as we go along I will catch up. Sorry if this creates a problem, or would you prefer I dropped out completely. No problem.

Elle

Hi Cordelia :D , been meaning to post on here for a while, but with everything that's been going on, haven't got round to it. I would like to join in too. I luv doing mystery quilts especially with a group, it's such alot of fun :thumbup: . It's very nice of you to take the trouble to organise something like this as it's alot of work. I probably won't be able to keep up all the time, but that's alright, the thread's not going anywhere, I'll just catch up where I can. I know it's a bit of a pain, but could you just say how much of the larger amounts of fabric are for borders as fabric is quite costly here and I like to leave things like borders to be figured out later :wink:

Silly me I just read back, should have done that first :lol: , I think if I get it right the fabric needed without borders is 2 1/8 yards?

Thanks Cordelia. I copied all the requirments, now can't wait to start.

Hi, everyone. It's like 12:30 here EST. I'm sorry I'm on so late.

Don't anyone feel pressured. I'll post the clues and you can all watch. It's quite an investment.

A couple of you are wondering about the borders.

First, the green is used in the quilt and for the border.

To be honest, because I enlarged this to a lap quilt size, I haven't done it and am doing it ahead of you all so if there's a glitch, I'll catch it first.

For both the winter version and the traditional version, the border alone is calculated at 1 1/2 yards.

So, the three yards difference can be made up in your stash. And then there's the applique piece. I would recommend forest greens, pine greens, textured greens, no aqua, no emerald green for it to look right. It doesn't have to be all the same green fabric either. You can use different greens.

The border will look best if it's in the same "family" of green used in the quilt.

To make it look Christmasy, paint on glitter paint you get in the craft store.

The same with the winter version. The winter version uses more of the blue in the quilt. The four yards difference in that version can be made up with whatever blue fabrics you have. For it to look right, I'd stay away from blue green, turquoise, or purple tones. Medium to dark blues would be the best choice. Textured and blue on blue batiks would be outstanding. I wouldn't use a blue print unless it was all blue.

The blue fabrics in this quilt will look best if they're in the same family of blue as the border.

STEP 1: Cut 4.5" squares!

I'm going to post an image of the sample fabric and tell you how many 4.5" squares you need. If you didn't buy the Hoffman fabrics I posted, and substituted them, so we don't affect the yardages, make sure you don't mix and match substitute fabrics for any particular Hoffman fabric.

Winter version:

1. Cut eight 4.5" squares of this (light blue snowflake pattern) fabric (or the one you substituted for it.)


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...tStarFlake.jpg


2. Cut sixteen 4.5" squares of this (light blue star dusty print) fabric (or the one you substituted for it.)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...htStarDust.jpg


3. Cut eight 4.5" squares of this (light/medium snowflake print) fabric (or the one you substituted for it.)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...htRadiance.jpg


4. Cut four 4.5" squares of this (light blue pointsetta print) fabric (or the one you substituted for it.)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...offSilBlue.jpg


You should have 36 4.5" squares now.

STEP 2: Sew four 9 patch squares.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...lank9patch.jpg

Mix and match all your textures/shades in the 9 patches.

Example:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...nter9patch.jpg

You should have four 9 patch squares measuring 12.5" each.

Here's mine: (I substituted fabrics and it doesn't look as nice ...)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...sion9patch.jpg

STEP 3:

Sew two 9 patches together.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...oo/9patch2.jpg

Sew the two rows together.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...oo/9patch3.jpg

Your piece should measure 24.5".

Here's mine. BUT, I have way too much contrast in my piece. It will look better if you use the similar shades, but different patterns on them to avoid all this contrast. I'm going to redo mine for less contrast. But, if you like contrast, that's fine too.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ion9patch5.jpg

That's it for now!

Traditional version: You're going to do exact same thing as the winter version, only I'm going to post the fabric examples: Follow the directions in the winter version post.

STEP 1:

1. Cut four 4.5" (gold pointsetta print) fabric (or substitute you have for it.)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...arkerBeige.jpg


2. Cut eight 4.5" (medium beige pointsetta print w/gold) fabric (or substitute you have for it.)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ghterBeige.jpg


3. Cut eight 4.5" (medium beige print) fabric (or substitute you have for it.)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...LightBeige.jpg


4. Cut eight 4.5" (medium beige filigree/pearl print) fabric (or substitute you have for it.)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...BeigePearl.jpg


5. Cut eight 4.5" (medium beige pearl print) fabric (or substitute you have for it.)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...tBeigeLeaf.jpg

STEP 2: Sew your 9 patch same as the winter version directions. Must measure 12.5".

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...patchblock.jpg

Here's mine: (Again, a little too much contrast. You want similar tones, but different shades and textures. Not too much contrast -- unless you like a lot of contrast.)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...patchblock.jpg


STEP 3: Sew your 9 patches together for your center. (Must measure 24.5".)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...atchcenter.jpg

Here's mine: (The feline is Miss Suzie.)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...atchcenter.jpg

Everybody, I accidently deleted two blocks from the Winter version and redid them.

But, I may have redone them slightly different. I'm sorry. It was an accident.

It really shouldn't have affected the yardage estimate. But, I've printed the yardage estimate again.


It would help if I put in the link.

For traditional yardage estimate:

http://www.box.net/shared/tdxalryo8c

For winter yardage estimate:

http://www.box.net/shared/tckhvfvso4

Well, my mother has fallen in love with the winter version of the mystery quilt. (I let her look at them.)

BUT, she says it's too hard and complicated! (sighs.)

The first clue was easy.

Before I post the second clue, I wanted to do them and make sure there's no unforeseen complications.

The next clue can either be paper piecing or you can rotary cut and piece. But, because I don't want you to worry about measuring and seam allowance variances, I've designed the rest of it to be paper pieced. It will be more precise if you paper piece them.

I'll provide rotary cutting directions and the paper piece template. You can decide which way you want to do them. (I haven't rotary cut and pieced, so I can't vouch for how accurate it will turn out. I'm paper piecing.)

Please make a scrap note of this and keep it with your blocks so you can refer to it without having to come in here.

VERY IMPORTANT IF YOU PAPER PIECE:

When I post the foundation piece templates for you to download and print, you MUST CHECK the following:

Download the file at the link I post. It will be the block template for you to print. It will be a PDF document.

There is a printer button icon in the PDF document you'll use to print. A print menu will open up where you will choose how many copies to print, etc.

There is an option that you MUST check. In that print menu there is a section called Page Handling. It has a spot where you choose how many copies to print. Under that is an option called PAGE SCALING. It will probably say: Shrink to printable area. CHANGE THAT option to NONE. Make sure you check this section every single time before you print anything.

I overlooked that the first time I printed a block and it shrunk the template. I was perplexed and it took me some time before I realized the problem. The blocks have to be a precise size. Before you use any printed template, just to be sure, make sure you measure the dimensions of the block on the paper with your ruler.

I'll post the next clue tomorrow morning with the links. Keep a note with you about the page scaling print option. The name of the pdf document has the dimensions the template MUST BE. Please measure it with your ruler before you do it. If it measures different, then check the page scaling option again. I don't know if it defaults to "shrink to printable area." You DON'T want the shrink option. It must be set to NONE.

I'm sorry for all the bold emphasis. I just don't want anyone to miss this and make a bunch of blocks that won't fit and waste time and fabric. I'll keep reminding about this, so don't be offended. I know you're all experienced quilters, but this was a computer issue. That darn print option threw me for a loop and I couldn't figure out the problem at first. It took me a while before I even thought to check the print settings.

Well I can't speak for anyone else but I sure would've messed it up so thanks for the warning!! I just wanna see a little bit of how it goes together. I'm not sure my fabrics are correct so I'm gonna wait until about step 3 to get a better idea if I can use the fabrics i picked out. Thanks for doing this! It's so exciting!!

,,lll

I screwed something up in this posting. IGNORE EVERYTHING.

I'll be back on line tonight to fix it.

Sorry. I'm having computer issues.

duplicate

Ignoring; check. Standing by; check check. No worries Cordelia you're doing great working out all them kinks before I try it!! LOL!

Everyone, I'm sorry I haven't been back. I'm having some "confused" issues with the website I've uploaded/stored the templates on. I'm not used to the site and I'm afraid I'll post the wrong thing.

I'm going to make this real simple and post SHORT posts.

Second Clue! LOG CABINS!

There are many log cabins in this quilt for its design. Because they're part of the design, it's important that everyone be done exactly as shown.

You need to make:

Four (4) 5h" x 5w" log cabin blocks.

They will come out perfect if you paper piece them with the template.


(DON'T FORGET TO CHECK THE PAPER SCALING PRINT OPTION. IF IT'S SET TO SHRINK TO PRINTABLE AREA, CHANGE IT TO NONE.)

For now, just make these or keep watching. I'll straighten out the other templates on the site and post them. (It won't be days or weeks until I do. I hope to post them later tonight.)

Here is the link to the 5h" x 5w" paper pieced template.

http://www.box.net/shared/88bjw8mckk

(Your block is going to look slightly different than the EQ picture. It will look like the picture of my block that I'll post later tonight. But, don't worry about it. The EQ picture is just a guide. My blocks are already made. I just have the images uploaded yet.)

I had fun making that one!

I would love to design a mystery quilt for here, but at the moment I am swamped with other things that HAVE to be be done before the end of August. Perhaps in a couple months time I might try one!

Whether anyone does this as a mystery quilt or not, it will be available to everyone here with my compliments for the Christmas holidays.

The templates will be here in this thread, the pictures, and ultimately, the finished product will emerge.

So, for those who are buried or not able to invest in it, hopefully you will still watch and like the design and save the templates and images and make it some day.

I don't expect everybody to invest huge $$$$$ on something they haven't seen. That's why I've not done a mystery quilt before. It seems like it would be fun, but I don't want to spend money making something I have no idea if I'm going to like when I'm done.

Here is my 5" x 5" log cabin. There is a quarter inch seam on this and the block measures 5.5" x 5.5" now.

You'll need four of them.

My template isn't the easiest. But, that's how the program prints it.

Looking at the picture of the block, mark on the BACK SIDE of the template L for light and D for dark. Your darks are on the upper right-hand side and your lights are in the lower left hand side.

These are the fabrics I've been using in the block from my stash.

and more ...

and a few more ...

and more ...

Well, I've been reluctant to post this. But, I'm having a devil of a time with mirror images.

I've finally decided to just come clean and post the clue and ASK YOU if you can HELP ME!

The last clue was a small log cabin block that with the seam allowance should measure 5.5". You need four of those. (set them aside now.)

You now need eight of this block: (See the comments in the picture.) This is a 5h" x 6w" block. With its seam allowance, it must measure 5.5h" x 6.5w".

You also must have eight of the mirror image of the block. (See comments in the picture.

Now here is my problem. I CAN'T make the mirror image. I must have eight of this block with the darks on the lower right-hand corner and the lights on the upper left-hand corner. I need a mirror image of that with the darks on the lower left-hand corner and the lights on the upper right-hand corner.

I need a total of 16: 8 regular and 8 mirror images. And I CAN'T MAKE THE MIRROR IMAGES! Every time I try, I somehow make the same block.

For the pattern, you must have 8 log cabin blocks and 8 mirrors of it. I'll figure it out eventually, but I thought I'd drop the next clue and let you with more "know-how" tell me how on God's green Earth I can make the mirror image. I have a mirror image template that I will also include, but the paper pieced templates in EQ5 are so limited, they're practically worthless. All they do is give you a teeny-tiny number you can't even read.

I don't want anybody to waste time and materials. But, if you know how to make a mirror image, can you TELL ME??????????


Forgot the link.

For the 5h" x 6w" block: http://www.box.net/shared/eklz6lc2sw


:(

Cordelia, I THINK, and it is a big THINK, all you have to do is turn your block around 90 degs. Then you get your mirror image. I have 4 on the corner of my quilt and thats what I did to get a left and a right. Maybe I am wrong I haven´t made those blocks before. Thats why it keeps coming out the same when you make them.

Elle

Okay Cordelia, just checked my quilt which has 4 blocks in it. Looking at my quilt, I was right you have to turn the blocks around to get a mirror image. Guess what I did, one of mine was wrong so have had to undo my quilt to correct it. drat and double drat, but at least you know what to do now.

Got to smile or go mad :D :D

Elle

The 5" x 5" blocks are easy. You just need to turn them 90 degrees. But, the 5" x 6" blocks can't be turned 90 degrees or they are 6" high and 5" wide and won't fit in place.

BUT FOR NOW, JUST MAKE THE 8 BLOCKS. I'm going to fix the template for the other 8 mirror image blocks and post the template.

Sorry Cordelia I misunderstood that one.

Ummmmm back to the drawing board eh

Elle

The drawing board allows me to rotate it into the correct position. The template doesn't!

It may just be a matter of turning the template over and sewing on the backside of it. I'll work it out on Saturday.

But, in the meantime, I can go onto the next blocks rather than let things hang up on these 8 blocks.

Next clue is, more 9 patches! 5" x 5" 9 patch star. (with seam allow. must measure 5.5" x 5.5")

You need to make four of these.

For the quilt to look right, you really should use the same color for the background as you will later use for your border. Remember that green fabric or blue fabric that you needed like four or five yards of?

You also need to make four 3" x 3" 9 patch stars. For the 3 incher, you MUST use the same fabric as your final border fabric. (That green and blue fabric you needed the most of.)

If you don't, you will not be happy with the way it looks.

To keep the measurements precise, I've made paper piece templates.

Paper piece template for 5" x 5" traditional and winter versions:

http://www.box.net/shared/0m6ryq8nt3

Paper piece template for 3" x 3" traditional and winter versions:

http://www.box.net/shared/mssdaesje7



I'll post the pictures of my blocks and some more clues this weekend.

I believe I have solved the "issue" I was having with the blocks for the mirror image.

I had to redraw the block and with a little colored pencil marks, it can now be done.

But, I apologize for not being able to provide a better template. It's very confusing, but EQ 5 is very limited with printing options for their foundation pieced templates. I'd like to have more control over their appearance, but the program won't allow me. I could make a better template in Paint! But, I have to be precise with the size. EQ prints the template at the exact size it has to be.

I'll be posting more pics and clues this weekend. I only have time to sew for a few hours on Saturdays. So, I don't move along as fast as I'd like.

But, for those of you who are just watching and waiting to see how it turns out, keep following along!

Everybody, I did cure the mirror image problem I had with log cabin block. BUT, it's too hard. It drove me crazy and it will drive anyone crazy who attempts it.

Has anyone actually made any of the log cabin blocks?

If not, DON'T. I'll put in a simpler log cabin block.

If anyone has made them, then I apologize for al the suffering. The blocks can be made correctly, but with EQ limiting me in the appearnce of the template, I can't provide a simple block.

I can give a better Paint block guide for it. But, if no one has made any of them, I'll switch the block and make it easier. It will look the same.

Let me know.

As for new pictures -- my camera battery died! I couldn't take any. I'm going to try out the camera on my cell phone and see if that works.

I'm going to switch the log cabin now and give you a choice of which one you want to do.

I'll be back here with the EQ pictures.

I have not forgotten the mystery quilt thread. Just bumping this back. I'm going to move onto the next clue.

Christmas trees! You will need to make 12 of these.

I designed this to use the dark green fabric that will be your final border. The same fabric you used with the 9 patch stars.

If you want to mix and match your own greens from your own stash here, that's fine. But, in order for this to look right when it's done, you still need to use the same dark green fabric shown with the 9 patch star for your border. If you mix greens with the 9 patch star, it won't look right.

The same with the Winter version. You can mix and match your blues here if you like. But, it won't look right if you use a different blue for your final border than the one used in the 9 patch star.

http://www.box.net/shared/k6bfl5dmvn

Your block will measure 5.5 h" x 6.5 w" with your seam allowances.

For those of you following along with my Christmas Mystery Quilt, here is a recap:

Step 1. Four (4) 12.5" (with seam allowance) 9-patch squares sewn together.

One 24.5" x 24.5" center block with seam allowance.

See Page 6 for Clue 1.

Step 2: Log Cabin:

See Page 7.

Make 8.

Step 3: 9 Patch Stars:

Make 4 5"x5" and 4 3" x 3" blocks.



Step 4: Christmas Trees:

Make 12 blocks.

See above for pictures and foundation piece templates.

Step 2: Log Cabin:

See Page 7.

Make 8.

I forgot in my recap the 5" x 5" log cabins.

You needed four of them. The link is on page 7.

Step 5. (Sorry, more log cabins, this time the mirror image.)

Make 8.

This is the MIRROR IMAGE log cabin. You need to use this template.

The fabric shows that it's up in the upper left hand corner, but since you're sewing on the back of the page, when you're done, it will be on the lower left hand corner.


Mirror Image template link: http://www.box.net/shared/gzccqvt0qt

All right. I've recapped now.

Everyone should have:

1 Large center square measuring 24.5" made up of four 12" 9 patch blocks.



[img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...CenterBloc.jpg[/img]

or

[img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...enterBlock.jpg[/img]

Then you needed FOUR log cabin squares using the 5" x 5" (5.5" x 5.5" w/seam allowance) template.

[img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...CabinBlock.jpg[/img]

or

[img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...erLogCabin.jpg[/img]

************ Remember, using this image as a guide, since you're sewing on the backside of the template, your dark colors will come out on the lower right hand corner. ****************


Everyone should have EIGHT log cabin blocks using the 5" h x 6" w (5.5" h x 6.5" w w/seam allowance) template.

Same colors as 5" x 5" blocks.

[img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...CabinBlock.jpg[/img]

or

[img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...erLogCabin.jpg[/img]

Next, everyone should have EIGHT MIRROR IMAGE blocks using the 5" h x 6" w template. (5.5" h x 6.5" w w/seam allowance)

********** I posted a separate template for this block so that the colors will show on the upper left hand corner, but since you're sewing on the back of the template, they'll be on the lower left-hand corner. **********

[img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...inBlock5x6.jpg[/img]

or

[img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...binBlock5x.jpg[/img]

Everyone should have FOUR 3" x 3" friendship star/9 patch blocks. (3.5" x 3.5" w/seam allowance.)

[img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...tional9Pat.jpg[/img]

or

[img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...r9PatchSta.jpg[/img]

Everyone should also have FOUR 5" x 5" friendship star/9 patch blocks also. (5.5" x 5.5" w/seam allowance.)

So, a total of EIGHT friendship star blocks, FOUR 3x3 and FOUR 5x5.

Everyone should have TWELVE 5" h x 6" w Christmas tree blocks. (you know, half inch bigger with seam allowance.)

[img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...tionalTree.jpg[/img]

or

[img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ltWinter-1.jpg[/img]

With the exception of the final border, this is the FINAL clue.

The last TWELVE 5" h x 6" w log cabins. (you know with your seam allowances, half inch bigger.)

Mix and match at random your light winter/traditional colors from the other log cabins. No one block need be the same. The more variation of tones and textures, the more interesting the final appearance. Just DON'T use any of the darks from the other log cabins in these.

You can use the same 5" h x 6" w template, mirror or regular, either one, for these final blocks. Just mix all your light tones at random. Don't worry about what colors go in upper or lower corners.

Now, does anyone want me to start showing it put together?

Let me know. I'll post the pics.

Well, I haven't heard from anyone, so I'll start putting it together. But, I haven't had a chance to sew it together, so I can only show the EQ version.

I hope to be able to work on this in November, close to the holidays.

As you've all probably guessed, you arrange your log cabins as a border strip.

Arrange all the blocks around the center block. You're going to do a little fudging. I always do when I sew blocks together for border strips.

I sew the sides first. Sewing the 5.5" x 6.5" blocks together as shown in the diagram and then sew them to the left and right sides of the center block. The center block measures 24.5" at the moment.

You'll have extra seam allowance on the blocks that are the end of the border strip that you'll be trimming off.

The 5.5" x 5.5" log cabin blocks are your cornerstone blocks. I usually sew them on the top and bottom border strips.

You'll sew your other 5.5" x 6.5" blocks together as shown in the diagram and sew the cornerstone blocks on each end.

Step 2 is to put a small border/sash around the block. Use the fabric for the final border, that fabric you needed the most of.

The border/sash should measure 1 inch, so cut 1.5" strips.

Step 3: Arrange the other log cabins, the plain ones, the ones without all the dark contrasts for the sides. You will be sewing them as a strip for the left and right sides of the block now.

It doesn't matter how you arrange the blocks. They're all 5.5" h x 6.5" w and there's no right or wrong way to put them together.

Your center block was 24.5".

You added the log cabin border on it and it measures 34.5" now.

You added a 1 inch border/sash. It now measures 36.5" now.


Step 4: Arrange the Christmas tree blocks for the top and bottom border strip. They're 5.5" h x 6.5" w blocks. Six on top, six on the bottom. They get the 5.5" friendship star patch for cornerstones.

You've added this new border and it now measures 46.5".

See diagram.