something stitched

February 26, 2018

Mystery Quilt 2018 Final

46” x 50”

 

Thank you for participating. I hope you found it fun and an easy finish as we take the last step. If you got delayed don’t worry. You can always pull up the posts on my website to review and finish when convenient for you.

Borders, the last step! You were given measurements assuming everything was measured, cut and sewn exactly at the beginning of the mystery but were advised to wait to cut until now. We know “exact” doesn’t always happen so measure top to bottom and side to side through the center of the quilt top. Hopefully the side to side measurement is 38 ½” and the top to bottom measures 50 ½”.

Cut 5 strips 4 ½” wide across the width of fabric #7 for the borders.

The top and bottom border should be able to be cut from two strips. Use 38 ½” or whatever your top measured from side edge to side edge through the center of the top. Sew top and bottom borders with ¼” seam allowance and press seams toward the border.

The last three border strips will be sewn together to form one long strip that is then cut into two pieces measuring 50 ½” or whatever your top edge to bottom edge measured. Sew side borders with ¼” seam allowance and press seams toward the border fabric.

Put the finished top on your design wall or somewhere you can step back and enjoy the work you have just completed!

Below is my computer generated finished top. I am in the process of marking my quilt top with Native American inspired designs from the book by Dr. Joyce Mori.

You should have plenty of border fabric to cut your binding.

 

I hope you have enjoyed this quick project. Don’t forget, we all want to see photos of your finished top on Facebook or send me an email and I will post unless you request otherwise.

 

 

I have the project designed for 2019 and it will be a little more complicated than the last two. It is only two blocks repeated in traditional style, made up of squares and rectangles with setting triangles but more pieces than mystery one and two.

Hope you got the first step done so you’re ready to go on Step Two of Mystery Quilt 2018. It will be important to make sure you get the placement of your half square triangles going in the same direction around the block.  However, if you get them all sewed and then see that one block is going a different direction don’t panic.  I did that and actually left it because it gave a little interest. I confess, I also did not want to rip out twenty HST’s.  Have fun!

If you missed the first step look at February 5 post for the fabric requirements, cutting instructions and directions for making half square triangles (my way!!)

Step two construction:

All construction uses ¼” seam allowance.

Using the photo as guide arrange the 2 ½” pieced squares in the direction indicated with the four solid blocks in each corner. Sew 4 pieced squares to make a strip for the top of the 8 ½” block and repeat for the bottom of the block. I press these seams open also.

Sew the strips to the top and bottom of the 8 ½” block (fabric 2) and press toward the block.

Repeat for the sides adding a solid 2 ½” at each end of strip and sew to each side of the block. Press seams toward the block.

Make 3 blocks.

 

The same process will be used for the 6 ½” x 20 ½” rectangle of fabric (fabric 1).

Using the photo as a guide arrange the 2 ½” pieced squares in the direction indicated with four solid blocks in each corner.  See how they march so nicely around the solid block!

Sew 10 pieced squares to make a strip for the top and repeat for the bottom of the rectangle. Press seams open.

Sew each strip to the top and the bottom of the rectangle. Press seam toward the center.

Sew 3 pieced squares to make a strip and add a solid square at each end of the strip. Press seams open.

Sew strips to each side of the rectangle and press seams toward the center of the block.

Make 3 rectangular blocks. Check the photo to make sure your triangle squares are all going the same direction.

Feb 5, 2018

Mystery Quilt 2018

46” x 50”

 

Are we ready to begin? Please, if you have any questions or need clarification email me. I don’t want people to be frustrated because they need more clarity than I have given. We all learn differently and I hope that photos and words together will work.

 

I will refer to fabrics by number as identified below:

Fabric #1, focus fabric

Fabric #2, second focus fabric

Fabric #3, frame for #2 fabric

Fabric #4, frame for #1 fabric

Fabric #5, frame work with #3 and #4

Fabric #6, background

Fabric #7, border and binding

 

Cutting instructions:

Fabric #1, cut 3 pieces 6 ½” x 20 ½” ;

Fabric #2, cut 3 pieces 8 ½” square;

Fabric #3, cut 24- 3” squares and 12- 2 ½” squares;

Fabric #4, cut 39- 3” squares and 12- 2 ½” squares;

Fabric #5, cut 63- 3” squares;

Fabric #6, cut 3- 2 ½” x 12 ½” rectangles, 3- 2 ½” x 14 ½” rectangles,

3- 4 ½” x 24 ½” rectangles;

Fabric # 7, (I suggest waiting to cut until ready to sew borders and measure to be sure these measurements meet the measurements of your finished project.)

cut 2- 38 ½” x 4 ½” strips for top and bottom of finished project, cut 2- 50 ½” x 4 ½” strips for sides.

 

First step construction:

All construction uses ¼” seam allowance.

Match fabric 5 squares with 3” squares from fabric 3 and 4. You will be making half square triangles—my way. Draw a diagonal line from corner to corner and stitch ¼ inch on either side of the line. Cut on the drawn line and press seam open very carefully to avoid stretching. I press these seams open to reduce bulk later. Trim finished squares to 2 ½” square. Note the photos. HST are made this way to insure you have accurate squares with reduced bulk for later use. Organize trimmed squares into fabric 3 stack of 48 and fabric 4 stack of 78. Whew! That’s a lot of triangle squares but the worst is over. Get ready for step two next week.