Monday, January 05, 2015

Spoiler Alert - Mystery Revealed

Bonnie from Quiltville has revealed the final layout of the Grand Illusion mystery quilt, and I have sewn together 2 blocks so far. Wow... it's very busy looking!
I really wanted the green to be in the block to hopefully "calm it down" a bit, but the green was only in the sashing. So I made one block with the white and the blue florals in the center 4 patch, and then made one block with some green in the center 4 patch. 
I was surprised to find that I didn't like the change as much as I thought I would, so I think I'll go back to the original plan.



I have a lot of block parts in various stages of development and it won't take long to get the rest of the blocks together since I am only making half of them for a smaller version of the quilt. My quilt will be 3 blocks by 4 blocks, plus likely 3 borders.
To see more versions of Grand Illusion in development, hop over to Quiltville, and to see more design wall postings, visit Patchwork Times.

29 comments:

Siouxzq64@gmail.com said...

Good job. I just started step 2 but I need to work on another project for a while.

Jo said...

It is a very busy block/quilt. Hope you and decide and be happy with your choice

Vireya said...

It looks very pretty with your floral fabrics.

beaquilter said...

squeal, I finished mine this weekend too and it's been FUN! I had to change the outer border, as my quilt is smaller, so the math didn't work out. I need to post about it, may not be until next week though

Deanna W said...

I am making a smaller version too. It is very busy but I find if you look at it from far....it is like a spinning star!!

Kathy ... aka Nana said...

It is a very busy block, but yours is one of the least busy I've seen. I don't know if it's the colors/fabrics you chose or what, but I really, really like yours best of all I've seen so far. And I'm not just saying that because I'm on your blog now. ;-) I cannot wait to see yours all together.

Barbara said...

I like the colors you've chosen. It looks less busy than some of the brighter ones I've seen.

Elizabeth V Kelbaugh said...

Looks great with your fabric choices.

Ramona said...

It's a busy block, but the colors your are using calms it down. Love the blue floral.

Vroomans' Quilts said...

I think your softer colors make your version less busy.

Debra in Ohio said...

I agree that your color choices seem to make the block calmer. I did mine in Bonnie's original color choices and love it (not finished yet). Even though I like calm quilts, I do like to piece bright ones, especially in the winter. They make me think of spring and summer. Good luck on finishing. Your blocks look really nice.

Karen in Breezy Point said...

I like the color substitutions you made--very pretty and it's fun to see a different take on the pattern. It's looking like a lot of quilter's feel the design is too busy, but I love it--lots of movement and a fun "hidden" alternate design. I still need to finish my mysteries from the last two years, so it will be a while before I make my own Grand Illusion.

karen said...

I'm also doing this mystery. I was excited right up until the green checkerboard border. Way too busy (for me), but it's been fun & challenging to come up with alternatives. Yours looks nice, I think because the checkerboard fabric you used reads kind of neutral, so it makes it less busy. Nice!

Kathy's A Quilter said...

Looks great Kathy. Your fabric colour choices have given it a very soft and feminine feel. Looking forward to your completed quilt top. Happy finishing.

Loris said...

Love your "calmed down" color choices! This will be a lovely quilt :-)

Denise :) said...

I love your colorscape for this . . . it's really lovely, Kathy!! Can't wait to see it finished!! :)

lindaroo said...

Your soft colors are lovely, and the star stands out nicely from the busy sashing.

slrquilts said...

Love your color choices. It's going to be lovely.

Andee said...

It is coming along great, your colors are a great alternative to Bonnie's!

Mystic Quilter said...

Yes it is a busy pattern but I do like your colours which have softened the effect. The pieces must be tiny - what size is the finished block?

Chris said...

I wasn't going to do the GI quilt, but looking at all the great ones I have seen I may reconsider LOL

Linda said...

I am working on this too and yes, it's busy but I do like the finished quilt. I love your color choices. I decided to use Bonnie's colors just because. These aren't my colors but I know my kids will like it and I wanted to play outside my comfort zone. I haven't decided yet how big I'm going to make this, I'm just playing it by ear right now. I had the pleasure of taking a class with Bonnie yesterday working on Orca Bay and it was fun. It really inspired me to keep going. Have fun with this and Happy New Year!

Scrappy quilter said...

Love the look of your block.

Art by Rhoda Forbes said...

I like your blocks, once the sashing is on the blocks look totally different, at least to me. I thought I was going to change mine too...but stayed with Bonnie's layout. I love your color choice.

Jeanna said...

Oh my Kathy. There are a lot of little pieces in those blocks. I look forward to seeing the finished quilt.

AnnieO said...

Your fabric choices worked! It's pretty and traditional for a nice twist.

QuiltGranma said...

love your subtle color way it will look GREAT when all done!

Mary said...

Busy YES, Makes me not as dizzy as my own does. The constant fabrics, like you chose are much better in this pattern.

Kate said...

I think this is a quilt that's going to look great when you get all the blocks and sashing done so you can see the pattern. Sticking with one fabric selection per block should make it easier to see.