FOR EXAMPLE:
*What does "it" mean in the sentence "What time is it?"?
*Why do our noses run and our feet smell?
*Why is it that when you transport something by car, it's called a shipment, but when you transport something by ship, it's called cargo?
*Why can I remember the phone number and birthday of a high school friend, but cannot remember where I parked my car when I go into Wal-Mart?
The answer to any of these questions is: We don't know...it's a mystery!
Mysteries can be frustrating and perplexing - but they can also be fun! I'd like to offer you a "fun" Project Linus mysterious challenge.
LET'S MAKE A MYSTERY QUILT!
WHAT IS A MYSTERY QUILT?
It's a quilt design that is presented in sections so that the quilter does not know what the final design will be until the last section has been received. Keep in mind that this is a Project Linus mystery quilt so...it's a little easier than most "Mystery Quilts" and it's a little smaller than most "Mystery Quilts". But it is a mystery none-the-less and you will just need to trust me as you follow my instructions. Even the title of the quilt will remain a mystery until the end.
I have divided the construction of this quilt into several steps. When you check the BLOG each week, you will receive the next set of instructions. Anyone of any skill level can participate. If you have a question - just e-mail me and I'll try to help you out without giving away the mystery! Please don't ask for the next set of instructions early - you'll just have to be patient and wait for it to be posted on the BLOG! :-) Some of you will learn some new techniques from this - while others will simply breeze through the instructions. Either way - it's a fun way to make a quilt! When you've solved the mystery (i.e. finished the quilt) - please e-mail me a .jpeg picture and I will post all of the finished quilts on our BLOG. It will be so much fun to see how different each of you solve this "mystery" as you construct the quilt using the "Mystery Quilt" instructions!
HERE ARE THE INSTRUCTIONS FOR WEEK #1
You will need the following fabrics and materials for this quilt: (This does not include backing and binding - we'll take care of that later.)
FABRIC A: 1/2 yd. blue (either a tone on tone or predominately blue fabric)
FABRIC B: 1/2 yd. green (either a tone on tone or predominately green fabric)
FABRIC C: 1/4 yd. yellow (either a tone on tone or predominately yellow fabric)
BACKGROUND FABRIC: 1 yd. white background fabric (tone on tone)
Pink or Red Scraps (Eight - 6" squares)
Pastel Scraps (small prints or tone on tone solids work well) (Nine - 6" squares)
1/2 yard predominantly yellow fabric
Double stick fusible webbing: (I used 2 packages of Lite Steam a Seam 2 with five 9" x 12" sheets per package)
CUTTING INSTRUCTIONS:
Fabric A Blue: Cut five—2 1/2” strips x WOF (width of fabric)
Fabric B Green: Cut five—2 1/2” strips x WOF (width of fabric)
Fabric C Yellow: Cut two—2 1/2” strips x WOF (width of fabric)
Background fabric: Cut 5—2 1/2” strips x WOF (width of fabric)
Background Fabric: Cut three—6 1/2” strips x WOF. Then cut the strips into 17—6 1/2” squares
Pink scraps: Eight—6” squares (They can be all the same fabric or 8 different fabrics.)
Pastel scraps: Seven—6” squares (A variety of colors works best.)
Predominantly yellow:
-If your width of fabric is at least 42” you will need 4 strips of 3 1/2” x 42”
-If your width of fabric is less than 42” you will need 6 strips of 3 1/2” x 42”
So - how about accepting the Project Linus Mysterious Challenge? I hope your answer is "YES"!!!
Cecile M. Springer says: “Above all challenge yourself. You may well surprise yourself at what strengths you have, what you can accomplish.”
If you follow the instructions EXACTLY as written...and ask questions as needed - you will be able to solve the mystery and in the process "you may well surprise yourself at what strengths you have - what you can accomplish"!!!
Happy Spring (yes - it's FINALLY here!) and Happy Blanketmaking!
**ADDENDUM to pattern: Some of you have asked if alternate fabrics can be used for this pattern. I wanted to make the pattern very straight-forward so that it would be simple to follow - which is why I limited the fabric colors. If you would like a different color scheme the fabrics that I believe can be changed are Fabric A: the 2 1/2" blue strips and Fabric B: 2 1/2" green strips. Make sure the two fabrics you choose are contrasting colors - you don't want these two fabrics to blend together. Just look at all the fabrics you've chosen (including the scraps) and see if you like the combination.
