Wow!! I was so motivated to try this that I made a mistake.  You will need 2 1/2 yards of background solid or reads as solid rather than 1 5/8 yards.  So then there are some additional cuts to be made. The new directions as as follows and thank you to my wonderful artsy group for trying this and making the corrections.  In actuality the directions were for four blocks rather than six.

Week 1 of 4

“It’s A Mystery” Quilt Challenge

Finished Quilt Size: 39.5” x 54.5”

Fabric Requirements:

• 2 ½ yd of solid or “reads as solid” for background
• 1/8 yd of at least 4 different coordinating prints for accent

(optional substitute: 24 different 3 ½” squares)

• 2 ½ yd backing

Cutting:

Background-

Cut 6 strips 6 ½” by width of fabric (wof);

Subcut each strip as follows:

Strip 1-21 ½”, 3 ½”, 12 ½”

Strip 2-21 ½”, 9 ½”, 6 ½”

Strip 3- 24 ½”, 6 ½”, 6 ½”

Strip 4-24 ½”, 9 ½”, 3 ½”

Strip 5- 21 ½”, 9 ½”, 6 ½”

Strip 6- 21 ½”, 9 ½”, 3 ½”

Cut 2 strips 3 ½” x wof;

Subcut strip 1: 18 ½”, 15 ½”;

Subcut strip 2: 18 ½”

Cut 2 strips 9 ½” x wof;

Subcut strip 1: 18 ½”, 15 ½”;

Subcut strip 2: 18 ½”

Coordinating prints-

From each of 4 prints cut six 3 ½’ x 3 ½” squares (24 total)

Label each stack of six squares 1-4

Binding: Cut six strips 2 ½” x wof

Yesterday I tried rust dyeing for the first time. It’s not a new process but I had never actually done it for myself. This morning I rinsed and pressed the small pieces of fabric. I learned several things. Results are less definite if too many layers are used. Weighting the layers contributes greatly to the clarity of the design. And I also learned that I like whatever comes out because it makes me have to think more creatively than if it had come out exactly as I had planned. Bottom line, it was creative fun and more fun is in store as I explore how to use the vintage buttons I grabbed for creative projects just before we left for the winter home. Some will notice the backside of the poster holding the buttons is an old election poster from my home county. The buttons were picked up at an auction but were carefully arranged on cardboard of all kinds. The buttons, the rusted fabric and an old Felco feed sack will find their way into a collage celebrating the life of my father’s parents.

Our marathon Alaskan vacation is coming to an end.  We are at our last stop of the caravan and actually have fairly fast internet–fast enough that I could get on my website and post without being dropped.  As soon as we get to Hannibal I have been writing and will begin posting things about quilt shops visited during our travels and some of the design ideas that will be prioritized for actual making and then hitting the machine to quilt all those things that have been on my mind during the travels.  We have  been traveling since June 1 in a 25 foot Airstream.  While it was nice weatherwise the space was fine but boy those rainy days the last two weeks made the space shrink.  Will be good to expand and check out the changes at home.  Will be especially great to see quilting friends and the works they have done.