Sierra Mountain Quilters Association
2022 Mystery Quilt
Like last year, this mystery quilt will be published online only. Check back monthly for new clues.
2022 Mystery Quilt Introduction (Step 1)
Twin-size quilt, 60" x 84"
Collect the following fabrics:
1- 1/4 yards LIGHT printed fabrics for block backgrounds
1- 1/8 yards MEDIUM for block A*
1- 1/8 yards MEDIUM for block B*
3- 1/3 yards DARK for blocks, border and binding
AVOID obviously directional prints.
The LIGHT prints should all be of the approximate same value, but different in texture. Think low volume, light pastels and neutrals. We are just trying to add a little subtle variety to the background.
The MEDIUM prints will appear side by side, so should be different enough from one another so that you can see a "line" where the two fabrics join. Consider using two colors (like red and blue or purple and turquoise) and/or two fabrics that are different in scale or visual texture (pair a small to medium multicolored print with a less busy coordinating fabric for instance.
Choose a tone-on-tone DARK print that reads like a solid. You need a strong contrast between this fabric and the two mediums. Make sure you can clearly see a line where the dark joins either of the mediums.
*Because I like my quilts scrappy, and I don't mind bending the rules, when I made this quilt years ago I did a mix of scrappiness and consistency for my A and B MEDIUM fabrics. I was super happy with my results. Here's what I did:
For half my A fabrics I chose one wonderful print in a certain favorite MEDIUM color. It took a generous 1/2 yard. For the rest of my A MEDIUM fabrics I chose fabrics of the same color and value from my fabric stash - super scrappy.
For half my B fabrics I chose one wonderful print in a different favorite MEDIUM color. It took a generous 1/2 yard. For the rest of my B MEDIUM fabrics I chose fabrics of the same color and value from my fabric stash - super scrappy.
Click on the link below to access the printable and/or save-able document for step one.
2022 Mystery Quilt Step 2
Now that you've selected your light, medium and dark fabrics it is time for step two. You'll be cutting and sewing - woohoo!
From the MEDIUM print A
Cut 5 selvage to selvage fabric strips, each 3 -1/2" wide. Set aside the remaining MEDIUM A** print fabric for another day.
From the MEDIUM print B
Cut 5 selvage to selvage fabric strips, each 3 -1/2" wide. Set aside the remaining MEDIUM B** print fabric for another day.
1. Join the 3-1/2" MEDIUM A and MEDIUM B strips to make 5 strip units as shown below. Press the seams toward the MEDIUM A fabric. The strip units should measure 6-1/2" side (raw edge to raw edge) when sewn.
2. From these strip units, cut a total of 48 segments, each 3-1/2" wide.
3. Join the segments you cut above to make 24 four-patch units as shown. Press the seams however you wish. The units should measure 6-1/2" x 6-1/2" (raw edge to raw edge) when sewn.
Image for instruction step 1
Image for instruction step 3
**This is where my scrappiness came in. When making this quilt, I put together the strip sets just as instructed here. The remainder of my MEDIUM A & MEDIUM B fabrics were scrappy. Of course, do as you wish. I think you'll be happy either way.
Click on the link below to access the printable and/or save-able document for step two.
2022 Mystery Quilt Step 3
From the DARK fabric cut 5 selvage to selvage strips, each 7 -1/2" wide. From these strips, sub-cut into twenty-four 7-1/2" squares.
For LIGHT fabrics you may be working with fat quarters, scraps or actual yardage. From the assortment of LIGHT fabrics, cut ninety-six 4" squares. It is important to group the light fabrics in matching sets of four, which means you should end up with 24 sets of 4" squares. You will likely have several repeats of matching sets, unless you've decided to go 100% scrappy with your LIGHT fabrics.
Now the fun begins! We will be making 96 flying geese, and before you throw your hands up in the air and call it quits, look at this fun method we will be using.
I found this YouTube video by Melanie Ham to be very helpful. Click on link below to watch the video Four Flying Geese at a Time. How convenient since you need sets of four flying geese, right? Let's start with one 7-1/2" DARK block and four matching LIGHT 4" squares. Refer to the instructions in the video and/or the graphics below to make your first set of four flying geese. Repeat 23 more times :)
Also, the fun No Waste Flying Geese graphics by Danielle Coronado (posted below) spell it out nicely. I've already told you the size to cut your squares for this quilt, but I've left the chart at the end for you to refer to later if you decide to use this method for a future flock of geese. Click on the first image to render full size then use the arrow to scroll through the 7 slides.
Thank you Danielle Coronado of Coronado Quilt Company for the step by step graphics and Melanie Ham for the YouTube video.
Please use your preferred method to save the finished flying geese in matching sets of four.
The Wing Clipper by Deb Tucker is a handy ruler for trimming up the Flying Geese blocks, but as demonstrated in Melanie's YouTube Video, it is not necessary.
Click on the link below to access the printable and/or save-able document for step three.
2022 Mystery Quilt Step 4
Join the 24 four-patch units you made in Step 2 and 48 of the flying geese units you made in Step 3 to make 24 units as shown below.
Notes:
Orient all the four-patches with the MEDIUM:A fabric at the top left and bottom right.
Match the LIGHT fabrics on each side of the four-patches.
Press the seams toward the four-patches. The units should measure 6-1/2" x 12-1/2" (raw edge to raw edge) when sewn.
Click on the link below to access the printable and/or save-able document for step four.
2022 Mystery Quilt Step 5
Join the 3-1/2" MEDIUM:A and MEDIUM:B squares to the remaining flying geese units to make 48 units that look EXACTLY as shown below.
NOTE: Always join the MEDIUM:A print to the left side of the flying geese units. Always join the MEDUIM:B print to the right side of the flying geese units. Refer to image below.
Press the seams toward the MEDIUM:A and MEDIUM:B squares.
The units should measure 3-1/2" x 12-1/2" (raw edge to raw edge) when sewn.
Click on the link below to access the printable and/or save-able document for step five.
2022 Mystery Quilt Step 6 - Final Clue and Reveal
Join the units you made in the previous steps to make 24 blocks as shown below.
Note: Match the LIGHT prints in each block. Press the seams in opposite directions from block to block so they will butt together when the blocks are joined.
The blocks should measure 12-1/2" x 12-1/2" (raw edge to raw edge) when sewn.
Set the blocks together 4 across and 6 down as shown, arranging the assorted LIGHTS however you wish.
NOTE: Orient all the four-patches with the MEDIUM:A print at the top left and bottom right
BORDERS: From length of the remaining DARK fabric, cut strips, each 6-1/2" wide.
Measure the length of the quilt at the center, from raw edge to raw edge. Cut two border strips to that measurement and join them to the sides of the quilt, matching the ends and centers and easing the edges to fit. Then measure the width of the quilt at the center, including the borders you just added. Cut two remaining border strips to that measurement and join them to the top and bottom of the quilt, matching ends and centers, easing as necessary.
You'll need 4-1/8 yards of fabric for backing (crosswise seam).
Bind with straight-grain or bias strips cut from remaining DARK fabric. For 3/8" wide (finished) binding double-fold binding, cut 2-1/2" strips.
The name of this quilt is Calico Quadrille, a Judy Hopkins Mystery. The block design is "Steward's Folly" one of Judy's collection of pieced blocks on Alaska themes.
Click on the link below to access a printable and/or save-able document for step six.