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Monday, October 03, 2011

Design Wall Monday #37

The pieces for my Quiltmaker Secret Window Mystery are on the design wall today, so if you are working on this quilt and haven't yet solved the mystery, stop reading! I haven't seen many of these posted in blog land, and I have been hesitant to post mine because I didn't want to ruin the surprise for anyone sewing along.
I have been working on this mystery since July and although I consider myself an experienced mystery quilter, this one has been a challenge! The fabric requirements did not list whether the fabrics should be light, medium or dark, and some of my choices were wrong. For example, the top block on the right is with the fabrics I chose, which doesn't have enough contrast, so I made some last minute substitutions and put in some fabrics I hadn't planned on.
This past week I packed up my pieces and partial blocks, and went to sew at my friend Louise's house. We sorted out the problems of the world, and also organized our mystery quilts...
and ta da...

my blocks are on the design wall today!
The colour is way off because the sun has been MIA ...but you get the idea. 
You can see where I had to stretch my fabric by piecing four patches where squares should be, and you can see where I ran out of some fabrics. But I think it's turning out better than I thought it would! And if you stand really far back from it, it's quite nice!
Also I have some nice border fabrics to spruce it up (I hope!)
To visit other quilt bloggers and see what's on their design wall, hop over to Patchwork Times.

20 comments:

  1. Very pretty, I have never done a mystery quilt. I think this a great one!!

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  2. Wow -- way to go! Really I think you've got something there ... put a group of women around a quilt and all the world's major problems could be solved. Haha! Have a great week! :)

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  3. I like the design so far. It must be frustrating to have to force understudy fabrics to perform in starring roles. But your quilt is looking great. Looking forward to seeing the borders added on.

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  4. Design wall looks great.
    Don't forget my giveaway!

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  5. It looks terrific, always a challenge those mystery quilts in one way or another! The sun is MIA here too.

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  6. I love this--and I love what you have done to compensate for "inadequate supply of fabric syndrome". These colors are so beautiful together. Beautiful quilt.

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  7. I've never had the courage to try a mystery quilt, but this one is turning out great.

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  8. I like it, a lot. Mysteries are always a challenge. I can't imagine doing one that doesn't give light, medium and dark guidelines.

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  9. I liked this one just from seeing the Thumbnail at JUDY L's Blog. Good way to use what fabric you had. I think you'be done with this one lickety split...

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  10. There's just something about putting all your blocks on the design wall, so you can see all your hard work in one place. Great quilt, I love the soft colors!

    Linda

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  11. Great quilt, Kathy! I think you made good choices for your fabrics.

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  12. Jumping in on a mystery quilt is a huge leap of faith. Glad you stuck with it to the end despite a few hiccups. You'll never remember them once the final stitch is sewn.

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  13. Great job; it's gonna be an awesome quilt! I don't think I'd ever even try a mystery.

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  14. Very pretty. Mystery quilts can be a challenge if they don't give you clear instructions on the fabric choices. You did great with your substitutions.

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  15. I have got to get my Quiltmaker top together too! Yours looks great! I love the little extra 4 patches!
    I awarded you the versatile blogger award~ http://crazyboutquilts.blogspot.com/
    Have a happy week!

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  16. I've made a couple mystery quilts, and both times had excellent instructions re: darks and mediums and lights. I'd be too afraid to start if I had less than that. You overcame the challenge, and your top looks great! Love the combination of fabrics you're using.

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  17. That turned out great! You're right, sometimes mysteries don't turn out so well. Congrats on making scraps work for you :-)

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  18. This is wonderful! It looks like you used some Pure by Sweetwater fabrics which I love!

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  19. I think the top looks great! I agree that working on a mystery quilt is a huge leap of faith!

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