Hello everyone! Are you excited for the first clue of the Sixth Annual Project QUILTING Mystery Quilt Along ? I’m starting with a SPOILER ALERT! This is going to be an IMPROV quilt along! That’s right – I’ll have instructions for each block but since it’s improv you can do whatever you want – just make sure they finish at the size I indicate for each one.
Pre-clue: Step (-1)
Clue 1 – Blocks 1 & 2
Cutting Block 1:
Fabric A:
(1) 6″ x 7″ rectangle
Fabric B:
(2) 1.25″ x 8″ strips
(1) 1.5″ x 7.5″ strip
Making Block 1:
Orient your Fabric A so 6″ is the height and 7″ is the width.
Then take that 6″ x 7″ block and cut three strips randomly. Then make three cuts randomly. Place three strips of Fabric B in the cuts. I chose to do a 1.25″ strip, then 1 .5″ width strip and 1.25″ strip. Just make sure the strip length is slightly longer than the background fabric.
Sew the Fabric B strips into the Fabric A rectangle. Press towards the Fabric B strips.
Trim to 4.5″ x 6.5″. My block fit better with the strips running more horizontally than vertically – but feel free to orient yours which ever way pleases you. It just needs to measure 4.5″ x 6.5″ when you’re done.
Cutting Block 2:
Fabric A:
(1) 7″ x 7″ square
(1) 1.25″ x 3.5″ strip
*(1) 1.25″ x 6″ strip
*(1) 2″ x 2.5″ rectangle
*(1) 2″ x 6.5″ rectangle
*these Fabric A cuts are optional. I added the strips to please my eye and needed the last two rectangles to square my block to 6.5”. You may or may not need these pieces you could wait, to see.
Fabric B:
(1) 1.25″ x 5″ strip
(1) 1.25″ x 6″ strip
(1) 1.5″ x 5″ strip
Making Block 2:
Start with your 7″ square of Fabric A. Cut what looks like a wonky “K” into this piece.
I started by cutting the strip on the left, then moved it aside. I cut a slice to the upper right, then made the lower right cut.
Next lay out your 1.25″ Fabric B strips on the two left cuts. Note that I wanted a little more Fabric A (1.25″ x 3.5″ strip) so I added onto the left Fabric B strip toward the bottom.
Because this piece is a bit more complicated than the Block 1, I sewed in steps.
First I sewed in the Fabric B strip on the lower right. Press towards Fabric B.
Trim the top of that piece so there is a nice smooth connection with the middle Fabric B strip.
To offset the fabric strips, I chose to add in a 1.25″ x 6″ Fabric B strip. You can do this anywhere you’d like!
Assemble the sections on the right. Press towards Fabric B.
Assemble the left section. Press towards Fabric B.
Trim the right chunk so it matches the angle of the left strip.
Finish sewing this together.
Now, we need to square it up to a 6.5″. Uh-oh … as you can see my piece is short in a few spots!
It’s ok! This is where I’m adding the *extra Fabric A pieces.
Once those were added, now I can easily trim my block to a 6.5″ square.
This is a lesson you can use for any of your blocks throughout the challenge. If they ever end up too small or short somewhere, just add more of Fabric A!
Once you have your blocks finished please share a post on instagram with the hashtag #pqmysteryqal6 and/or in the Challenge Quilts facebook group. We want to see your progress! The second clue will be posted tomorrow, Thursday, December 28th, at noon!
Leave a Reply