We love getting letters and emails from you and when this one arrived a few days ago from Lynda I asked her if we could share it with you. I have left out certain details and all the photos as this is a quilt programme we will be running again and we don’t want to spoil it for the future. However if you ask when you are next visitng QH we will let you see the original letter and photos. In the meantime we have a different Quilt Mystery series, based on USA States on which you can enrol this year. Each month you can make a lap size (or larger) quilt.
Dear all at Quilter’s Haven,
I thought I would let you know how I got on doing the “Around the World” Mystery Quilt experience during 2009 & 2010. I had 2 reasons for deciding to follow the project. Firstly I usually attend the Quilter’s Guild Exhibition at the NEC for a few day’s, but was unable to attend last year ( something even more important I had to do). So I decided to spend the money I would have spent on the Hotel, lectures classes and of course shopping. Secondly as a discipline to get more proficient at piecing and thirdly (oops another one) just for the fun of it. I just love a mystery quilt project.
I waited with baited breath for February’s first parcel to come. I had picked Belgian Chocolate – brown’s. When it came I did not like the fabric choice and thought Oh!!! What have I done. I set to and made the piece. Showed it to my husband, he liked it. He has used it every day this winter.
When March’s parcel came the Scottish – Thistle -lavender’s. Oh! Joy more my choice of fabric. Went together like a dream. This quilt went on holiday with us last year, you never know when a quilt may be needed. Our week away was one of the hottest last year, so we only used it to cover the luggage from prying eyes in the back of the car. But I got a lot of nice comments from passers by.
April’s Austrian – Mountain Sunset – red’s, orange’s, named the Alp’s or Delectable Mountain block was a design I had wanted to do for some time. I hand quilted with a variegated thread and embellished, with sequins and beads as it will always hang on the wall.
May’s choice Japan – Cherry blossom – Pink’s. I just loved the fabric’s on sight also the idea of one large block was new to me.
In June, Cuba – Caribbean Holiday- Bright’s. Cuban Cigar block. Wonderful colours a joy to make. Using fabric’s I already had I made a piano keys border.
July – Turkey -Aegean Sea – blue’s. I made this into another wall hanging. Nice design, nice “fresh” fabrics a bit of a waste cutting into the seahorse fabric some of the sea horses look a bit odd.
In August, America, I had chosen Southwest – turquoise and gold’s. Another group of fabrics I could not like the colour tone of. But I bit the bullet and made the quilt top. I am not sure if I put it together as per the original design. I made it bigger with a wide border. Still not sure I like it, but my Dad does so it will find a good home.
September -Spain -Doubloons -gold’s & yellows. Castles in Spain block. The fabric with the coins on immediately attracted my younger son as his passion and job involves antique coin’s. I sent for more of this fabric and was lucky this time. Using fabrics from my stash I made it larger. He is really pleased with the quilt as it also matches the décor in his new home. October Holland – Flower Auction – Florals. Dutch tulip block Another range of fabrics I felt were a bit subdued for my taste. I found this one quite tricky and as each block did not come out square. I decided to use sashing to make them square.
Now to November South Africa – Diamond Mines- Bright’s. Another large block design. Loved the parrot fabric. I found the instructions absolutely incomprehensible, but tried to follow them. So I cut the fabric wrongly. Put it away and tried to avoid doing it, and got on with finishing some of the unfinished previous months quilts. All the tops had been done but not all the “sandwiches” had been put together. I had been asked to give a talk about these quilts to my ladies club in March 2010 so I had to get cracking.
In December the choice for the Iceland quilt was Glacier – blue’s. Aurora borealis design. A good choice of fabrics. Had to wait until after Christmas to sew this one. My Husband was rushed into hospital in early December, he is all better now. So much of the Christmas preparation fell to me and I had also decided to make quite a few Christmas presents for various family members here and overseas. So no work on the mystery quilts. Christmas over and the snow came. I do not go out if it snows as I break easily and have broken too many bones in the past. A great opportunity to finish the quilts. Still have not tackled the South African one.
January 2010. The last parcel arrived Switzerland -Swiss cheese-gold’s & cream’s. I washed the fabric and left it to dry hanging over the bath. While I got on with the Icelandic design. I spent one afternoon putting it together. Lovely design, very pleased. The fabric hanging in the bathroom took longer to dry than expected so had to look at the South African design again. Felt that I could tackle it if I ignored the cutting out instructions and did what I thought the design needed. So I rescued what was left uncut. I added a jazzy piece of fabric for a narrow border and binding. I think it worked out OK! Every one who has seen it says Macaws are not South African but come from South America. Hey Ho! Life is full of mystery. Machine quilted.
Now to the last one Swiss cheese – Churn Dash Block. Lovely fabrics but what a lot of sewing even with chain piecing.
As you can see it has been a varied and educational experience that I may never do again as I have too many ideas buzzing around in my brain, of quilt designs waiting to be born yet.
Thanks Lynda for making the effort to write to us. Pam and I choose the fabrics each month in the three different colourways and it has been wonderful to see the finished quilts.
Karin News Mystery Quilt
I am really looking forward to going back to New Zealand next year to teach. The