Bonnie Hunter 2024-25 Mystery -- Old Town
10-31-2024, 05:08 AM
#1
Super Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Peoria, IL -- Midwest Transplant
Posts: 7,259
Bonnie Hunter 2024-25 Mystery -- Old Town
It's time! The Bonnie Hunter Mystery for 2024/25 is beginning. Welcome to all, the returning, the first timers, lurkers and what I call the "non-sewing participants". All are welcome, for me a big part of my enjoyment is seeing what the rest of you are doing.
The pre-clue is out -- the name of the mystery is Old Town and the suggested colors and yardage required are posted. This year is slightly different -- we are starting one week early on November 22 instead of on Black Friday!
https://quiltville.com/pdf/OldTown_Intro_Full.pdf
About the Mystery: Bonnie is a nationally recognized quilter and offers a mystery every year as a gift back to the quilting community. It is completely free, we do not swap blocks so there are no participation requirements or mailing deadlines.. You can sign up to receive emails on Bonnie's site if you wish, or follow the links that will be posted here. I will post the PDF links, so if we refer to "page 3 of the instructions" that is the PDF. I really recommend printing the clues. There will be a fresh clue usually every Friday until probably some time in January. There is also typically a light day or or two for catching up. Everything is free until usually about Valentine's Day, then you can buy a non-mystery set of instructions. To keep up with the sewing can be grueling depending on what else you have going on. Remember, this is not a race but a support group.
Rules: Bonnie asks very little of us, but we are guests in her project so we try to observe her requests. As she is the ultimate person responsible we are asked NOT to share numbers, measurements, or "spoilers" for people who really enjoy the mystery aspect. She will post any corrections needed on the website. It can be frustrating to be looking for something simple and easy like what Accuquilt die is/can be used -- but if Bonnie isn't telling we shouldn't either! We are able and willing to point each other to key points in the directions. Counts should be avoided because they can be used as spoilers or might have an error (that is, it is better to say something like "I got about half my units done today" as opposed to "16 out of 34 done"). While we love seeing each other's fabric selections and work in progress, we should avoid showing what we we think is the final layout before that is released. Besides, she usually puts in some things to preserve the mystery for as long as possible. She also asks that we don't take all the paint chips from our local stores. I think we can handle that.
As "host" I see my biggest participation as being a cheerleader and in reminding everyone that this is their own project. They will all be wonderful and amazingly both the same yet different and we can get through the long slogs and we all make mistakes at some point. There are a lot of Bonnie Hunter UFOs (mystery or otherwise) out there and that's ok. Again, your project and your time schedule -- we are doing this for fun. I will try to be quick on posting each clue link or if there is a correction, but if any of you come on before me -- feel free to post! You never know when my power might be out or real life has come to take me away from the computer or the sewing machine but I promise to keep up until the end. If you are more of a lurker, I can guarantee if you have questions someone else does to so go ahead and post but if you'd rather send a private message that works too.
I've been dealing with vision issues this year -- they are getting better but I am unlikely to be doing the project as the clues come out. My hope is that I will at least be able to cut my strips for each clue as they come out. I might be able to do some sewing before the end of the year but can't really count on that but I have some hope. I still have two mystery tops to quilt down, Rhododendron Garden and last year's Indigo Way. Again, this is not a race and there is no pressure other than what we give ourselves!
The pre-clue is out -- the name of the mystery is Old Town and the suggested colors and yardage required are posted. This year is slightly different -- we are starting one week early on November 22 instead of on Black Friday!
https://quiltville.com/pdf/OldTown_Intro_Full.pdf
About the Mystery: Bonnie is a nationally recognized quilter and offers a mystery every year as a gift back to the quilting community. It is completely free, we do not swap blocks so there are no participation requirements or mailing deadlines.. You can sign up to receive emails on Bonnie's site if you wish, or follow the links that will be posted here. I will post the PDF links, so if we refer to "page 3 of the instructions" that is the PDF. I really recommend printing the clues. There will be a fresh clue usually every Friday until probably some time in January. There is also typically a light day or or two for catching up. Everything is free until usually about Valentine's Day, then you can buy a non-mystery set of instructions. To keep up with the sewing can be grueling depending on what else you have going on. Remember, this is not a race but a support group.
Rules: Bonnie asks very little of us, but we are guests in her project so we try to observe her requests. As she is the ultimate person responsible we are asked NOT to share numbers, measurements, or "spoilers" for people who really enjoy the mystery aspect. She will post any corrections needed on the website. It can be frustrating to be looking for something simple and easy like what Accuquilt die is/can be used -- but if Bonnie isn't telling we shouldn't either! We are able and willing to point each other to key points in the directions. Counts should be avoided because they can be used as spoilers or might have an error (that is, it is better to say something like "I got about half my units done today" as opposed to "16 out of 34 done"). While we love seeing each other's fabric selections and work in progress, we should avoid showing what we we think is the final layout before that is released. Besides, she usually puts in some things to preserve the mystery for as long as possible. She also asks that we don't take all the paint chips from our local stores. I think we can handle that.
As "host" I see my biggest participation as being a cheerleader and in reminding everyone that this is their own project. They will all be wonderful and amazingly both the same yet different and we can get through the long slogs and we all make mistakes at some point. There are a lot of Bonnie Hunter UFOs (mystery or otherwise) out there and that's ok. Again, your project and your time schedule -- we are doing this for fun. I will try to be quick on posting each clue link or if there is a correction, but if any of you come on before me -- feel free to post! You never know when my power might be out or real life has come to take me away from the computer or the sewing machine but I promise to keep up until the end. If you are more of a lurker, I can guarantee if you have questions someone else does to so go ahead and post but if you'd rather send a private message that works too.
I've been dealing with vision issues this year -- they are getting better but I am unlikely to be doing the project as the clues come out. My hope is that I will at least be able to cut my strips for each clue as they come out. I might be able to do some sewing before the end of the year but can't really count on that but I have some hope. I still have two mystery tops to quilt down, Rhododendron Garden and last year's Indigo Way. Again, this is not a race and there is no pressure other than what we give ourselves!
10-31-2024, 10:53 AM
#2
Super Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Peoria, IL -- Midwest Transplant
Posts: 7,259
We're up! I have a couple of initial thoughts, one is I have basically nothing in aqua or melon in my stash... well maybe a single large piece of melon but still limited aqua although I have quite a bit of teal. The nice thing about the "melon" I have is I have enough of a companion print to use for the back (I think)
I've been wanting to use Civil War fabrics this year and I have plenty of neutrals, I do have probably enough blue, would replace the melon with red and the red with dark brown, but I'd need a little more dark brown.
Or, maybe I can pull something together with what I have in non-Civil war fabrics. Nice thing is we have a couple of weeks before cutting and final decisions.
The other is the size of this project, it is square and 78" which I feel is a bit short. I will have to consider an extra row of maybe top/bottom borders.
I am ready for the trick or treaters and think I need to spend some time with my stash.
I've been wanting to use Civil War fabrics this year and I have plenty of neutrals, I do have probably enough blue, would replace the melon with red and the red with dark brown, but I'd need a little more dark brown.
Or, maybe I can pull something together with what I have in non-Civil war fabrics. Nice thing is we have a couple of weeks before cutting and final decisions.
The other is the size of this project, it is square and 78" which I feel is a bit short. I will have to consider an extra row of maybe top/bottom borders.
I am ready for the trick or treaters and think I need to spend some time with my stash.
10-31-2024, 11:28 AM
#3
Super Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: SW Washington USA
Posts: 4,885
fun colors this time, when I first saw the building photo I thought it would be cheddar and blue, one of my favorite mystery combos.I expect a lot of inner quilt police will come out and refuse to put pink and red together 
I've got a lot of stuff to clean up this year because of my broken arm, but I'll be reading along and enjoying the journey with you all.
I've got a lot of stuff to clean up this year because of my broken arm, but I'll be reading along and enjoying the journey with you all.
10-31-2024, 12:12 PM
#5
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Florida
Posts: 6,132
Thanks for hosting Ice Blossom. I'm in this year but not in her colors. I love the way she said to pick three colors and a neutral. Makes it so much easier to decide what to do. I won't be doing the red. I think I will go with Florida colors, Blues, teals, and either a watermelon or pink color, off white neutrals. Working from stash this year so it all depends upon what I can pull. Happy to sew along.
10-31-2024, 01:06 PM
#6
Super Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Ballwin, MO
Posts: 4,603
Thank you, Iceblossom!
My capacity is way down in the last two years due to various issues. It took me until June of that year to finish my Chillhowie top, and I am still working on Indigo Way. Still, I just can't resist participating in a Bonnie mystery. My idea was to make about a dozen of each clue to learn the techniques and pitfalls, and keep working on IW. We'll see.
As it happens, I for once have all the fabric I need in these colors and won't have to buy a thing (I''ve been waiting for eight or so years to be able to say that). In fact, it is giving some much needed relief to my overstuffed shelves in my pink/peach and aqua piles. Luckily, last year's use of red was with solid-reading reds, so I have sufficient bright, patterned reds to use. I brought in a few darker pieces, too. It's not a huge quilt this year.
As always, I look to Bonnie's fabric photos for clues, and everything of hers is very busy (as is that art work she has at the beginning of the intro), so I'm going with very busy neutrals without fear (which is all I have in white). Most of my neutrals are reproduction creams and beiges.
Great to see everyone!
My capacity is way down in the last two years due to various issues. It took me until June of that year to finish my Chillhowie top, and I am still working on Indigo Way. Still, I just can't resist participating in a Bonnie mystery. My idea was to make about a dozen of each clue to learn the techniques and pitfalls, and keep working on IW. We'll see.
As it happens, I for once have all the fabric I need in these colors and won't have to buy a thing (I''ve been waiting for eight or so years to be able to say that). In fact, it is giving some much needed relief to my overstuffed shelves in my pink/peach and aqua piles. Luckily, last year's use of red was with solid-reading reds, so I have sufficient bright, patterned reds to use. I brought in a few darker pieces, too. It's not a huge quilt this year.
As always, I look to Bonnie's fabric photos for clues, and everything of hers is very busy (as is that art work she has at the beginning of the intro), so I'm going with very busy neutrals without fear (which is all I have in white). Most of my neutrals are reproduction creams and beiges.
Great to see everyone!
10-31-2024, 02:01 PM
#7
Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2021
Posts: 186
Yikes!
I think I’m in!! Been lurking for the past few years, but the stars might just be in alignment for me to jump in this time.
I have most of the fabric; will just have to buy some aqua.
Also, she recommends the Essential Triangle tool. I have the Clearly Perfect Slotted Trimmers…..do we think that will work just as well?
I think I’m in!! Been lurking for the past few years, but the stars might just be in alignment for me to jump in this time.
I have most of the fabric; will just have to buy some aqua.
Also, she recommends the Essential Triangle tool. I have the Clearly Perfect Slotted Trimmers…..do we think that will work just as well?
10-31-2024, 02:38 PM
#8
Super Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Ballwin, MO
Posts: 4,603
I'm not familiar with the trimmers you mentioned. The Essential Triangle Tool is for making HST and QST units from strips. Bonnie always gives the traditional method, too, for those who don't have her tool.
10-31-2024, 03:07 PM
#9
Super Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: SW Washington USA
Posts: 4,885
Other uses include: square-up hour glass blocks, strip piecing of half-square triangles, strip-tube method of block construction and fussy cutting.
So I would say yes, but chek bonnies youtube on her essential triangle, and then compare it to how yours works. Never buy a new ruler if you already have one that works
