Join in my Mystery Quiltalong - Here's what you will need

Puzzle Mystery 2016 by Sheila Christensen

Join my facebook group

https://www.facebook.com/groups/mysteryquilters/

Forget boring old sampler quilts, come and join me in my 2016 Puzzle Mystery Adventure!
You can make my Mystery quilt in one of two sizes:

SINGLE – 48” by 60”
Or
DOUBLE (QUEEN): 72” by 72”

What is the Mystery?

The 2016 Puzzle Mystery is available as ten monthly clues in my Craftsy shop. It is the same as the precut quilt offered through my bricks and mortar shop Quilters' Lane. Each month you will get a clue to parts of the quilt. With this Mystery you will be scratching your head right to the end wondering what the finished pattern is going to be!

Here are some pictures of my previous Mystery Quilts:
2013 Mystery Quilt

Blue Hawaiian Colourway

Sundowner Colourway

2014 Mystery Quilt - Jungle Fever and Summer Daze



2015 Mystery Quilt

Lime Zest Colourway  - Single Size

Opulence Colorway - Double Size

 
Sounds like fun! How do I join in?

Clues will be available in my Craftsy store each month. The first clue will appear on February 6th 2016, and there are ten clues in total. The Big Reveal will be on November 5th 2016.
Each person doing the Mystery needs to purchase that month’s clue. Clues cost US$1.99 each.

What Fabrics do I need?

To make the quilt you will need to select eight fabrics. Here are some guidelines for choosing. I encourage you to take these to your Local Quilt Shop, who should be able to help you find the perfect fabrics. You can download this information free in my Craftsy Store

You can see which fabrics I picked as my pre-cut colourways on my shop website

.Fabrics 1 to 3 should read as similar colours. You could use blenders or tone on tone fabrics, or something with a little more pattern. Here are some examples of the fabrics I have chosen for my colourways:

This is the 'Chartreuse Chic' colorway, using Brigitte Heitland's Zen Chic range, Reel Time by Moda. (Note – I have more fabrics in my precut quilt, I have simplified the fabric choices a bit in this pattern)

Fabric 1

Fabric 2

Fabric 3

As you can see, these are similar but provide a bit of interest as the patterns are different.

Fabric 4 can be a little stronger.

Now you have fabric 5, which provides a contrast and some additional interest. This should be your main feature fabric as it will also appear in the borders.

Finally, fabrics 6, 7 and 8, which need to contrast with the other fabrics, but read similar to each other
Fabric 6

Fabric 7

Fabric 8

 
Here's another example. This is the Red Grey and Black colourway,

Fabric 1

Fabric 2

(this photo is a little faded - the fabric is a black and white print)

Fabric 3

Fabric 4

Fabric 5

Fabric 6

Fabric 7

Fabric 8

Hope this gives you the idea.

So are you ready to join the fun? Get your fabrics to the ready, and then each month buy that month's clue on Craftsy

Come back to my blog and you will see the parts of the Mystery taking shape. You will need ten monthly clues to complete the quilt. You can also see what others are doing by joining our facebook group

How much fabric do I need?

Requirements for a Single Quilt

Finished size 54” by 60”

                   Imperial          Metric
Fabric 1      ½ yard           0.5m
Fabric 2      ½ yard           0.5m
Fabric 3      ¼ yard           0.25m
Fabric 4     1 yard             0.9m
Fabric 5     1 ¼ yards       1.2m
Fabric 6     ¾ yard            0.6m
Fabric 7     1 ½ yards       1.4m
Fabric 8     1 yard             0.9m
Binding     ½ yard             0.5m
Backing     3 ¼ yards        3m
Or 1 ½ yards of wide backing  Or 1.4m of wide backing

Requirements for a Double(Queen) Quilt

Finished size 72” by 72”

                        Imperial         Metric
Fabric 1             1 yard         0.9m
Fabric 2             1 yard         0.9m
Fabric 3             ½ yard        0.4m
Fabric 4             1 ¼ yards   1.2m
Fabric 5             1 ¼ yards   1.2m
Fabric 6             1 ¼ yards   1.2m
Fabric 7             1 ½ yards   1.4m
Fabric 8             1 ½ yards   1.4m
Binding               ¾ yard        0.6m
Backing     4 1/2 yards           4m
Or 2 ¼ yards of wide backing Or 2m of wide backing

Hope you have fun joining in my Puzzle Mystery!

Sheila