Category: MYSTERY AND CHALLENGE QUILTS

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MINI BLOCK CLUB 2019 UPDATE

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I am starting to finish up an old quilt-a-long that I started back in 2019.  I had to stop due to illness and it was put aside until now.  I have most of the blocks made and now I am starting to put the rows together.  It is called Mini Block Club and is on my blog.  It is completely scrappy.

Here is a picture of the first row and then the top border that is all 2 inch HST that was given to me a few years ago.  I think this is a good way to use them up.  Here are pictures so far.

This is my retreat project for this weekend.  Wish me luck!  I believe that I have 14 blocks left to make but at least I can get a head start on it!

NOTE: Your colors may be different from mine as this is a true scrappy quilt, so please feel free to use whatever colors you think will work best for your quilt top. Me, I am going with whatever scraps I have on hand but I believe that I have enough yellow for sashing.

For more information and patterns, go to Mysteries and Challenges, Archives and Older Patterns. https://delightfuldesigns.blog/2019/08/28/complete-list-of-blocks-and-borders/

My apologies for the delay in getting this posted. Things have been hectic at home, but here we go!

As you can see, these are the blocks for the top row. If you look at the list of blocks you will find that they go in order and there are 6 blocks to row. So that includes the 4 blocks from January and the first 2 from February. And yes, there are mini border blocks, but those will be dealt with later.

JANUARY AND THE FIRST 2 FEBRUARY BLOCKS: 

  1. Four Patch Variation 3
  2. Susannah
  3. London Roads
  4. Ohio Star Variation
  5. Bow Tie
  6. Monkey Wrench

From the picture above you can see those first 6 blocks and they are laid out. Now, I have decided to go with a light yellow as sashing between the blocks. Above the top row I have added in HST. I decided to go with that as I have a lot of these. And you can see that the second row is laid out underneath it, but not sewn yet.

NOTE ON SASHING: I suggest that you sew blocks first, then sashing and then another set of blocks and sew on. And make sure to audition first. You are free to choose whatever style of sashing you want. My sashing blocks measure 2 inches square after sewing.

GOING ON TO ROW 2

Row 2 laid out but not sewn together yet as I am not sure if I like the sashing in between the rows and I am still deciding on if I want to do another HST block or something else.

FEBRUARY AND MARCH BLOCKS:

  1. Odds and Ends ** (optional block)
  2. Entwined Star
  3. Twin Sisters
  4. Rail Fence
  5. Candle and Holder
  6. Striped Shamrock

Please note that I changed the order of the last 3 blocks as they clashed with each other with the colors. You can change them around also if you like.

That is it for today but I will be posting more later this weekend.

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HIDDEN TREASURES!

On By Way Too MuchIn Hidden Treasures, MYSTERY AND CHALLENGE QUILTS, SCRAPPY QUILTERS1 Comment

OCTOBER 28, 2023

Okay. I ADMIT I AM NOT CRAZY ABOUT THIS QUILT! I have tried playing with it, laying it out and it is just not working for me. And knowing that I love scraps and small bits I cannot do it, it is just too much! So, I went on EQ8 and played with the pattern and tweaked it. So please ignore what I posted before, in fact I have deleted the original post and I have decided with this layout and design instead.

I present to you our new version of HIDDEN TREASURES!!!

Now, please remember that this will still be in scrappy colors and the background and colors are not set in stone. This is EQ8’s version, not mine and I believe the white or a lighter color calms the quilt down a bit and breaks up the scrappiness. Please feel free to go with whatever colors you want, after all it is your quilt also.

It measures 42.75 x 54 inches and the blocks are 9 inches square when finished as the borders are built into the blocks.

YARDAGE REQUIREMENTS: Scrappy

PLEASE READ, IMPORTANT!!

BLOCKS: CHURN DASH. The block is 9 inches. It is a very easy pattern.

Remember, the block sizes are 9 inches. Here is a pattern for the Churn Dash:

https://www.patchworksquare.com/mf/churn-dash-quilt-block.pdf?t=1698521859

Click on the link above and it will take you to the pattern.

You will need to make 10 blocks.

FRAMES: The other 2 are basic frames with a block inside. The ones pictured are very easy with a four square in the middle and 3 simple columns in the middle. Now, the trick to this quilt is that we are going to add in other little treasures such as a 4.5 inch Diamond, Pinwheel, and Friendship Stars into the centers. I was not able to edit those into the picture above. The fames should measure 2.5 inches in width but may vary on length depending on if you add in cornerstones or not.

The easiest way to make the frame part of the block is to make the inside block first and then add it on. I will leave it up to you for how many extra little blocks aside from the columns and 4-square, you want to add in.

Oh, I almost forgot!! Sometimes with scraps or those small little strips, they sometimes just aren’t long enough to make it around the corners. In this case, please do not fret about it. That’s where little filler blocks like a pinwheel or something can become a cornerstone. Have fun with it!

Like this! Don’t be afraid to play!

Now is the time to look through your fabric, blocks and decide what you want to do. I will see you tomorrow as it has taken most of the morning to post this.

Here are a couple of blocks that I made today and I think they are going to work out just fine. What I have done was to dive into my Orphan Blocks Bin and played with them. Here is what I have so far.

They measure 9 inches. I love playing with colors and as you may have noticed I am not afraid of colors as I believe that in this scrappy pattern they will work together fine. Remember, you will need 10 blocks of scrappy and also 10 Churn Dash blocks for a total of 20. Now to decide how I want to do my Churn Dash blocks, solid color or maybe scrappy. Not sure yet, will see how the other blocks come along first, though sometimes I think that a solid color sometimes works best to calm down scrappiness and give it a little cohesion.

See you tomorrow afternoon.

NICKELS AND DIMES CHALLENGE 2023

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QUILT #1:   SPRING STARS

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This quilt and pattern can be found on EQ8 and was designed by Heidi Kory.

This is a fairly easy quilt to make.  There are only 37 blocks plus the sashing.

Here are the colors that I chose and as you can see, these all are from 3 different bins, white, pink/Valentine, and yellow and they are all different sizes from squares, strips to a few larger pieces.  I am mainly using scraps but EQ8 has a list of the fabrics needed.

White, pink and yellows.

Pink and Valentine.

And a mix of all three.

Here is a picture of the block. It should measure 6 inches square.

Have fun sorting through the fabric. So many ways to go with it and I thought that Valentine colors would be fun just to brighten up the room!

Will post block directions later. See you soon.

Since I am still having with my printer and scanning patterns, I am adding a link on how to make these simple blocks. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPfuAWv5uWw&t=302s

You will need to make 37 blocks altogether and remember that they will be facing in different directions in order to give it a star effect. Once I get a few made I will make sure and post the exact instructions on the sizes for the block.

The blocks should measure 6 inches altogether and I am attaching a grid that shows the size of the pieces of the block. It is a very simple block.

Or this one will work too. https://diyjoy.com/tulip-quilt-block-tutorial/

tulip-block-grid-6-inchesDownload

OH, MY STARS!

On By Way Too MuchIn Oh, My Stars!2 Comments

GOOD MORNING DEAR FRIENDS! AND ALSO, A MERRY CHRISTMAS!

If you have been following my blog for the past few weeks, you will see that there was a cancellation for total left knee replacement on the 13th. Well, that happened and I am now home and recovering. I am walking with a walker, have PT 3 days a week and I am in a lot of pain. and am just barely able to remember simple things.

My apologies yet again. My knee recovery is taking a little longer than I hoped, and for this reason, I once again have to postpone the final sashing and borders. The new date will be on Sunday, January 8, 2023.

Thank you for understanding.

Donna

OH, MY STARS! BLOCKS 24 & 25

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This is our final installment of blocks for our 2022 mystery! There a total of 4 blocks this.

BLOCK #24: SARAH’S FAVORITE: You will need to make 2 blocks.

Click to access sarahs-favorite-quilt-block.pdf

This is such a pretty block that is almost all half-square triangles! It is actually one of my favorites too because of the setting! It’s a simple 4-patch and easy to make!

FINAL BLOCK #25: PRINCESS CHARLOTTE: You will need to make 2 of these pretty blocks.

Click to access princess-charlotte-quilt-block.pdf

This is a simple star, not unlike the Ohio Star but with attitude. Very pretty block that is also easy to make, easy half-square triangles and flying geese!

This concludes our Oh, My Stars! blocks section. Please make sure to visit in December when we will have the sashing and borders ready for you. See you then!

Thank you for following along!

Hello Everyone! Thank you for patience with me as I am recovering from knee replacement surgery. I am now just feeling up to do any sewing and I will be playing catch up for a while. See you soon.

NICKELS AND DIMES QUILT CHALLENGES 2023

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by Donna Coppin (way2much)

Shh! I have a secret! Don’t tell anyone but this is my stash of bins full of scraps!

Yes, you read that right! Come on, admit it! You, just like a lot of us quilters, probably have a bin or 2 (or more) of 2.5 inch squares and 5 inch squares!
WHY? Maybe we are saving them for something special or they are just leftovers, or we don’t know what to do with them? Seriously, how long have those scraps been sitting there, waiting to be used?

Well, LET’s get those squares out and have some fun!

SPRING STARS

We have 2 projects for this coming year! This one will be starting on January 10, 2023 and should be completed by June 30, 2023. This is called Spring Stars and is from EQ8 library. I chose it as it is a pretty easy block and will use up some of those little strips and squares. I like it also because it will be a nice donation quilt. Of course, you can go with whatever colors that you like.

Fabric and Yardage Requirements will be posted on January 3, 2023 and the instructions on January 10.

FEATHERED FRIENDS

Our second project combines piecing and applique (or embroidery) if you like. It is called Feathered Friends. This will start on June 30 and go until November 30. This is one that I designed myself and is just fun! More information on this will be posted in May. I am still playing with the layout and it is subject to change.

Thanks for stopping by! I will see you in January!

OH, MY STARS! BLOCKS 22 & 23

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October! And we have 4 sets of blocks left!

Our first block is the Friendship Star, Intermediate. I didn’t realize until I started this that there are so many variations there of this fun block!

FRIENDSHIP STAR, INTERMEDIATE: You will only need to make one block.

Click to access friendship-star-quilt-block.pdf

This is a little different than your regular Friendship Star but I like the look of it!  This is considered an intermediate block because it is a little different from the steps for a regular 9 patch.  But it is easy to put together.

BLOCK #23:  LOVE IN THE MIST:  You will to make 2 of these blocks.

Click to access love-in-the-mist-quilt-block.pdf

This is an unusual block that has a star in the middle and then diamonds all around. Very interesting and more of a floral look to it, similar to an Ohio Star with a little extra added in for fun.

Have fun and I will see you next month with the final installment of blocks!

OH, MY STARS! BLOCKS 19, 20 & 21

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WOW! Only 3 more sets of blocks for the remainder of the year! Remember, December will be devoted to block placement, sashing and borders! We have just 7 more blocks to do!

Here are the blocks for September. We have 3 blocks again this time and then 2 each for October and November.

BLOCK #19: WYOMING: You will need to make 3 of these blocks. Reminder, all blocks are 6.5 inches.

Click to access wyoming-quilt-block.pdf

It looks complicated but when you break it down, it’s actually a combination of half-square triangles and flying geese units.

BLOCK #20:

It looks complicated but when you break it down, it’s actually a combination of half-square triangles and flying geese units.

BLOCK #20: MAPLE STAR: You will need to make 3 of these pretty blocks also. This will take care of the most of the multiple blocks.

Click to access maple-star-quilt-block.pdf

The Maple Star quilt block is a simple nine patch featuring squares, rectangles and a few flying geese patches. The interest to the block comes more from the colour placement of the fabrics than the quilt block design.

And our final block for September is:

CHISHOLM TRAIL: Just one block this time. https://www.patchworksquare.com/mf/chisholm-trail-quilt-block.pdf

As you can see, this is mainly made up of squares and triangles and may look challenging but is not as hard is it looks. Have fun with!

As usual, I will be posting my blocks eventually!

OH, MY STARS! BLOCKS 17 & 18

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Welcome back!

Yes, I know that I am a little late, but if you have been reading my blog you would know that I have had some computer issues and I am just now able to get back into my email and other accounts. My apologies for the delay.

Can you believe that we only have 8 more blocks to make? Wow, this year is flying by and I am still playing catchup from a few months ago. For this month we will have 2 blocks to make and for September, October and November, there will be 2 blocks each. Remember, some blocks are multiples and after they are all finished there should be the grand total of 48 blocks! As for December, this will not only be the month for catching up on blocks but I will also be posting the directions for sashing, borders and laying out the quilt top. Of course, you get to choose whatever you like best for the quilt top, after all it is your quilt also! Just please post pictures here so we can show them off!

BLOCK #17:  AIR CASTLE

https://www.patchworksquare.com/mf/air-castle-quilt-block.pdf. You will only need to make one block. Make sure that you scroll down to 6-inch block.

This is similar to the Folded Corners block and involves HST, three quarter square triangles and a square in a square and might be challenging for some. Just pay close attention to those triangles!

Of course, I will be posting mine soon.

Click to access forest-campfire-quilt-block.pdf

You will need to make 3 of these blocks. Again, you will need to make HST, flying geese and quarter square triangles for this to work. Make sure to print the 6-inch pattern.

I will see you again in September! Have fun sewing and make sure to post pictures!

And yet another UFO is born!

On By Way Too MuchIn NICKELS AND DIMES CHALLENGE2 Comments

I dipped into my wash basin full of scraps (yes, I do use those as they are lightweight and hold a lot) and pulled out an assortment of green, black and light colors.  That was one large handful and it hasn’t even made a dent!  That’s my leftover scraps basin.

I am now pressing them and cutting them into 3 x 5 1/2 inch strips and will be making something similar to that.  I think it will make a nice quilt for a man because of the colors.  And these are scraps from other quilts.  This will be added to the pile of donation quilts.  I may pull in some lighter green scraps to balance the colors.