...oh...and I've done 3 of Judy Laquidara's mystery quilts. They are lots of fun but kind of fast-paced. And they are all found in Judy's archives at patchwork times blogspot so if you get behind you can always catch up---the first two I did had already ended but are in the archives step by step so it was like I was "on time".

Years ago, I did Gems in the Rough on another board; it was designed by Merry Meyhem. Relatively easy, big chunky pieces, which I neither love nor hate.

Now I do Bonnie Hunter's every year. Sometimes I use her palette (Carolina Christmas), other times I don't. The last couple she has suggested bright colors, which I do not have in my crayon box. Last year, I did Easy Street in browns and reds with aqua accents. It's my avatar pic. This year, I am using fall colors and will call it Autumnal Solstice. There is a thread in the links forum; I think I posted my fabrics there.

I think if you are following a designer whose patterns you generally like, you will be all set. If you don't have that info, start breaking down what you do have.

If a mystery is a day long (as in the about.com site), chances are it's going to be easy with big pieces. Look at how much fabric you'll be using. When Bonnie put her colors out last year, one color called for significantly less yardage - so I knew that would be my "accent" color, with the two other colors that I was using (prefer and have more of in my stash) beign the main fabrics. At LQS, I'll asl for some of the first cutting measurements. It's more often than not big, chunky pieces - so I know I won't care for it.


Waiting until it's over to start isn't necessarily a bad idea - but then it's not a mystery!

I just finished one this weekend and posted it over at pictures. I've have two I liked a lot, one I haven't finished putting the blocks together yet one that needs to be backed an quilted and one I did in miniature - I took the square of all the measurements. TI liked that one mini, but not the full size ones.

My idea of a great mystery quilt is:
Is it complicated?
Is there something new to be learned?
Will it stretch me as a quilter?
Is it complicated? If it has pieces 3" or bigger I'm not interested.
Is it complicated? Did I say that already? :)

That is WHY I have never done one.......

http://www.persimmonquilts.com/QOVMysteryHomePg.html

Here is a site FULL of mystery quilts all ready reveled. I have done several.

I've done two mystery quilts, both by Border Creek Station.

Something to keep in mind, we didn't do blocks, we did portions of blocks, so until the final installation, we still had no clue what the quilt was going to look like. It's a lot of fun if you are willing to give up control. Border Creek Station works really hard on making a good looking quilt and then figuring out how to turn it into a puzzle to keep the mystery till the very end. Plus they give us fun recipes to try throughout the run of the quilt.

Our local shop participates so we meet once a month to review last month's installment and pick up our new one. Keeps everyone excited to see how the different fabrics work.

The first time I did the mystery quilt I used on of the recommended fabrics. It's the blue and cream one below.
The second time (just finished it!) I chose my own fabrics as so much more was needed and I love how it turned out. Our reveal party got postponed to this Saturday and I think I'm the only brown/orange girl there.
I didn't join Border Creek Station's current mystery (just starting) b/c my extra money was committed elsewhere (darn kids!!!) so I'll be missing out but next year I'll be back I'm sure.

I love doing mystery quilts -- they teach you a great deal about tone and value - Two of my favorite quilts were mystery quilts!!

YukonViv - LOVE your quilt, great choice of fabrics and beautifully done. Hope you will post a pic when it is quilted.

I don't do mystery quilts. I have a lot of severe chronic pain, so the time I have to quilt is very little. I have to know what I am making,because my quilting time is short. I don't want to waste my quilting time on a pattern I don't like.And to be honest, I don't use many patterns, I like to design my own. So,no, I don't make mystery quilts, but, if things were different and I wasn't in so much pain, I just might try one. Have fun if you do decide to make one.