Ocean Wave Quilters Guild
Ponte Vedra Beach, Fl.
Mystery Quilt
Mystery Quilt -Revealed, This Is IT!
By Bonnie Talley, Quiltlady
The mystery quilt is finished! I am so pleased with the way it is turning out. I hope you have left the paper on the back of the paper-pieced squares if you did paper-piecing, as it is so easy to sew the squares together by just matching the corners of the squares and pinning them together on the seam lines. This is foolproof!
Follow the diagram, making sure to turn Pattern #1 in the direction of the center, as it gives the affect of “arrows pointing to the center”. Pattern #2 can be turned any way, which gives a nice affect, looking at the fabrics. And, of course, Pattern #3 must be turned the correct way to form the nice four frames, putting the dark strips where indicated with shading on the diagram.
I always lay out all of the squares on the floor so that I can be sure that I haven’t turned one the wrong way. In this quilt, one turned wrong will stand out like a sore thumb! Once the squares are all sewn together, sit and watch TV or listen to beautiful classical music while tearing off all of the paper – messy, but so accurate! This can be the time to plan your next quilt using these same patterns.
Borders can be added to the sides to complete the desired size of quilt. Left over fabric from the squares can be scrap-pieced for the lining. Bind the quilt with the darkest fabric that you used in the quilt, if all possible. My favorite batting is a polyester one, as it will launder so well and not wash out of the quilt. I toss the batting in the dryer with a dryer sheet with the “air” setting on the dryer. This relaxes the batting and makes it easier to use.
The quilt can be hand-quilted by quilting one-quarter inch away from all seams, or machine quilting can be added where necessary. Remember, quilting is only used to hold the “sandwich of three layers” together. This quilt can be “tied” as well, using embroidery thread or cotton crochet thread.
I plan on taking this quilt to the nursing home with me in 50 years, as it is so bright and cheerful. They’ll know they have a non-conformist on their hands right away!
Enjoy your finished quilt!
Mystery Quilt Version 2
I was fiddling around with the computer the other day and decided that there must be other ways to put the three Mystery Quilt patterns together, and voila! This version is very striking, as well. I have had so many tell me that they love the first Mystery Quilt. So just get busy and do this version of the same thing with different fabrics, of course. Since I love paper piecing on the machine, this is really fun. These quilts make up so quickly, so you can make a couple for Christmas.
