2016 Mystery Quilt - A Scrappy End - Final Month

As always, before we get started with the Mystery Quilt, a few quilting tid-bits.

Big News - I will be returning to MQX New England in April to teach! I will be teaching 5 classes this year! I will let you know all the details, including class information, in my next blog post. Registration is open!!! Click HERE to get registered!

My friend Dar of Dar's Patchwork Garden has a Quilt of Valor block drive thru the end of the year. Check out her blog for block instructions and where to send your finished blocks.

Now, what you've all been waiting for......

MYSTERY QUILT 2016

A SCRAPPY END!

I'm still falling in love with piecing scrappy quilts! Since this Mystery was suppose to start more in the middle of the year, and life got in the way, I decided to name it "A Scrappy End". We'll be piecing the end of the year in scrappy style. 

Links             Fabric Requirements and Cuttting

                                 
                                   Let's Get Piecing - Month 2

                               Easy Chain Piecing - Month 3

Making 2 blocks into 1! or 20 into 40! - Month 4

This is our FINAL MONTH. It's time to put it all together, but there’s a twist. You have to decide which final layout you want to use! I’m giving instructions for my first design layout AND my second. Go to the end of this post for even more design layouts! 

Your first step this month is choosing a block layout for your quilt center.

A SCRAPPY END - Layout 1

A SCRAPPY END - Layout 2

Now that you've chosen your block layout, it's time to sew the blocks into rows, then the rows into a quilt center. Then add a border or two!

I used 2.5” strips to add a top And bottom border. Then 2.5” strips to add a border to each Side. I wanted my quilt to be Longer than wide, but still keeping in the Quilt of Valor size range, so I added one more 2.5” strip border to the top and bottom.

Layout 1

Layout 2

And, well, because I can't leave well enough alone, here are some more layouts.....

So, there you have it, A Scrappy End. A great way to finish up the year.

Please be sure and send me pictures of your finished quilts.

And don't forget to follow the MQX link above to get registered for classes!

Happy Quilting!

Ann

2016 Mystery Quilt - A Scrappy End Month 4

As always, before we get started with the Mystery Quilt, a few quilting tid-bits.

Big News - I will be returning to MQX New England in April to teach! I will be teaching 5 classes this year! I will let you know all the details, including class information, as soon as registration is open.

My friend Dar of Dar's Patchwork Garden has a Quilt of Valor block drive thru the end of the year. Check out her blog for block instructions and where to send your finished blocks.

Now, what you've all been waiting for......

MYSTERY QUILT 2016

A SCRAPPY END!

I'm still falling in love with piecing scrappy quilts! Since this Mystery was suppose to start more in the middle of the year, and life got in the way, I decided to name it "A Scrappy End". We'll be piecing the end of the year in scrappy style. 

Links             Fabric Requirements and Cuttting

                                 
                                  Let's Get Piecing - Month 2

                              Easy Chain Piecing - Month 3

Month 4—Making 2 blocks into 1! Or 20 into 40!!

This month we’re going to use all 20 of the 10”x10” squares and the 20 strip blocks we made in Month 2.

*****Be aware of the orientation of the strip blocks*****

We’re going to use these blocks to make giant half square triangles.

Step 1—draw a diagonal line on the back of each 10” square, corner to corner.

Step 2—Lay a 10” square on a strip block, right sides together. 

Be aware of the orientation of the strip blocks!!!!!!!!!

Sew a scant 1/4” on each side of the drawn line. Cut apart on the sold line, Press to the large triangle. (tip—make and measure 1 block first, adjust your seam allowance if necessary)

You will have 40 large half square triangles, 9 1/2” x 9  1/2”.

Since we're playing catch-up and want to complete this Mystery by year's end, I'll be posting the next set of instructions soon!

If you or your local quilt guild would like to use my pattern for this Mystery Quilt, please feel free.  You have my permission to make copies for your guild.  All I ask is that you give me credit for the pattern  If you would like it in PDF format, please email me (atticthreads@yahoo.com) and I will add you to my email list.

Happy Quilting,

Ann

Mystery 2016 A Scrappy End - Month 3

As always, before we get started with the Mystery Quilt, a few quilting tid-bits.

If you are coming to the Houston Quilt Festival, please drop by and see me. I will be in the Country Stitchin' booth on Thursday & Saturday. Get a sneak peak at my newest class samples. Don't be shy, introduce yourself!




<-- finished inner border

       Half finished inner
           border with MM -->

My friend Dar of Dar's Patchwork Garden has a Quilt of Valor block drive thru the end of the year. Check out her blog for block instructions and where to send your finished blocks.

Now, what you've all been waiting for......

MYSTERY QUILT 2016

A SCRAPPY END!

I'm still falling in love with piecing scrappy quilts! Since this Mystery was suppose to start more in the middle of the year, and life got in the way, I decided to name it "A Scrappy End". We'll be piecing the end of the year in scrappy style. 

Links             Fabric Requirements and Cuttting

                                 
                                 Let's Get Piecing - Month 2

Month 3—Easy chain piecing!

This month we’re going to use all of the remaining strips of Background/Main (B/M) and the remaining strips of Shocker fabric.

We’re going to build quarter log cabin blocks.

My only rule, the same fabric could not be in a block.

Sew a 1.5” x 1.5” Shocker square to a 1.5”x2.5” B/M piece, press to the B/M fabric.

Add a 3.5” B/M strip. Press to the new strip.

Add a 3.5” B/M strip. Press to the new strip.

Add a 5.5” B/M strip. Press to the new strip.

Add a 5.5” B/M strip. Press to the new strip. 

Add a 7.5” B/M strip. Press to the new strip.

Add a 7.5” B/M strip. Press to the new strip.

Add a 9.5” B/M strip. There are only 20 of the B/M strips. Use the remaining 4 Shocker 9.5” strips to make the last 4 blocks. Press to the new strip. You will have 24 blocks.

           20 blocks                                                                          4 blocks

Since we're playing catch-up and want to complete this Mystery by year's end, I'll be posting the next set of instructions soon!

If you or your local quilt guild would like to use my pattern for this Mystery Quilt, please feel free.  You have my permission to make copies for your guild.  All I ask is that you give me credit for the pattern  If you would like it in PDF format, please email me (atticthreads@yahoo.com) and I will add you to my email list.

Happy Quilting,

Ann

Mystery Quilt 2016 - A Scrappy End - Month 2

Before we get started with the Mystery Quilt, a few quilting tid-bits.

If you are coming to the Houston Quilt Festival, please drop by and see me. I will be in the Country Stitchin' booth on Thursday & Saturday. Get a sneak peak at my newest class samples. Don't be shy, introduce yourself!

My friend Dar of Dar's Patchwork Garden has a Quilt of Valor block drive thru the end of the year. Check out her blog for block instructions and where to send your finished blocks.

Now, what you've all been waiting for......

MYSTERY QUILT 2016

A SCRAPPY END!

I'm still falling in love with piecing scrappy quilts! Since this Mystery was suppose to start more in the middle of the year, and life got in the way, I decided to name it "A Scrappy End". We'll be piecing the end of the year in scrappy style. 

Links             Fabric Requirements and Cuttting

Let’s get piecing!

We’re going to use the 10” strips of Background/Main fabric and the 10” strips of Shocker fabric.

Start with the Background/Main fabric pieces.

Sew the strips into 40 pairs. My only rule was that two strips of the same fabric could not touch. Do not press the seams yet.

Sew a Shocker strip to 20 of the Background pairs. Press both seams toward the dark side.* 

Sew a remaining Background/Main pair to the Shocker strip. My only rule was that two strips of the same fabric could not be in the same block. Press the remaining two seams toward the dark side.*

You will have 20 blocks. 

* Complete one block and measure. EACH BLOCK MUST MEASURE AT LEAST 10” X 10”!! If not, adjust your seam allowance on the center strip.

DO NOT SQUARE UP!

Since we're playing catch-up and want to complete this Mystery by year's end, I'll be posting the next set of instructions soon!

If you or your local quilt guild would like to use my pattern for this Mystery Quilt, please feel free.  You have my permission to make copies for your guild.  All I ask is that you give me credit for the pattern  If you would like it in PDF format, please email me (atticthreads@yahoo.com) and I will add you to my email list.

Happy Quilting,

Ann

Mystery Quilt 2016 - A Scrappy End

To start, there's been so much going one this past year! 

First I had two amazing opportunities to teach at National Quilt Shows, MQX New England in Manchester, New Hampshire and MQS in Cedar Rapid, Iowa. I had my friend, Dusty Farrell come teach local long armers in my studio and make a return appearance to demo for my long arm guild. 

I reconnected with BBBs (Best Biker Buds), traveled with more BBBs AND met some awesome new biker friends, ALL IN THE SAME TRIP! A week riding in Maggie Valley, North Carolina. 

I've also been busy signing next year's teaching contracts and quilting class samples for my NEW classes. More details to follow....... Come see me at the Houston Quilt Festival to see my latest samples. I will be in the Country Stitchin' booth Thursday and Saturday. Don't be shy!

But, the BIGGEST NEWS??????

I HAVE A NEW GRANDSON ***** DYLAN ******,  absolutely adorable and perfect!

We also had a scare with my Mom, a car accident. She's OK now, but it was a lot of all-hands-on-deck for awhile. Thank you for all your prayers.

My friend Dar of Dar's Patchwork Garden has a Quilt of Valor block drive thru the end of the year. Check out her blog for block instructions and where to send your finished blocks.

Now, what you've all been waiting for......

MYSTERY QUILT 2016

A SCRAPPY END!

I'm still falling in love with piecing scrappy quilts! Since this Mystery was suppose to start more in the middle of the year, and life got in the way, I decided to name it "A Scrappy End". We'll be piecing the end of the year in scrappy style. 

Let's get shopping! You can shop in your stash, or local quilt shop.

This year’s mystery quilt finishes at 76”x80”, perfect for Quilts of

Valor or for a oversized lap quilt.

Fabric suggestions:

Quilt fabric variation one:

Main or background fabrics—A dark, solid Jelly Roll or scraps

Layer Cake or 10” Squares—20 Bright Kaffe Fasset fabric

Shocker—Bright orange/pink lipstick solid fabric, 3/4 yd

Quilt fabric variation two:

Main or background fabrics—Blues, 2 1/2" strips

Layer Cake or 10” Squares—20 Reds

Shocker—Whites, 3/4 yd

Quilt fabric variation three:

Main or background fabrics—Small, dark prints, 2 1/2" strips

Layer Cake or 10” Squares—20 Large brighter prints

Shocker—Bright, solid fabric or whites, 3/4 yd

Sorry I don't have a picture yet. When Dusty came to visit, I moved all non-essential fabric into storage. Not all of it has come back yet, and apparently, this fabric selection is buried in there..... somewhere....

Cutting your fabrics:

From your Main/Background 2 1/2” strips:

1.5”     24 pieces

3.5”     48 pieces

5.5”     48 pieces

7.5”     48 pieces

9.5”     20 pieces

10”      80 pieces

From your Shocker fabric:

1.5” x 1.5”     24 pieces

2.5” x 9.5”       4 pieces

2” x 10”         20 pieces

Since we're playing catch-up, I'll be posting the next set of instructions soon!

If you or your local quilt guild would like to use my pattern for this Mystery Quilt, please feel free.  You have my permission to make copies for your guild.  All I ask is that you give me credit for the pattern  If you would like it in PDF format, please email me (atticthreads@yahoo.com) and I will add you to my email list.

Happy Quilting,

Ann

DUSTY FARRELL IN MY STUDIO!!!

The first half of July was an extremely busy time in my studio, and household. First, our good friends Glen & Sherry went on an epic adventure, riding their Harley's to the West Coast, 4,400+ miles! Soooo.... we got to babysit their dog, Chase, a Golden Retriever. Chase is best buds with our Boxer, Buddy and fit right in with our pack. Nap time was a favorite activity.



Then, Dusty & Stephanie Farrell of Country Stitchin' came to visit! We set up my studio, borrowing an extra Gammill from my friend, Judy. Three Gammills in my studio! With Dusty teaching classes for the next 4 days, we were set. Oh, and yes, Cookie, their Chihuahua joined the pack. So we were now up to 5 dogs and a cat!

Dusty's classes began early Wednesday morning. He demo-ed some amazing ruler designs and background fillers. Everyone had plenty of hands-on time and personal attention. You can see from their expressions, the students had fun while absorbing all the information Dusty shared!

We even talked quilting during lunch while Dusty drew out some designs!

Four great days of classes! The creativity was flowing.....

How to decorate a Baptist Fan........

Some rulers we played with....

 How to use Skully........

WOW!!!!!!

Don't think we let Stephanie off the hook. She visited my local quilt guild, Perky Piecers where she demo-ed her Ruler Foot for domestic machines and all the rulers she has designed to use with it!

Dusty also did some quilting on leather, two biker-style vests and one student's chaps. My next blog post will be all about our adventures in quilting leather. I've ordered 2 vests for me to quilt on, so maybe I'll have those done by then.

We had a wonderful week with good friends, talented quilters and the Dog Pack! 

Dusty will be returning to Missouri Saturday September 10 for a lecture and Trunk Show. Let me know if you would like to attend. Email me at atticthreads@yahoo.com for details.

Happy Quilting!
Ann