Friday 21 May 2010

Blogger's Quilt Festival - The Mystery Quilt

This is one of my favourite quilts.

It's not the most perfect.

It's not been the most technically challenging.

But it's special because it holds some pretty precious memories . . .

Our craft group booked a quilting retreat a few years back to celebrate the 10 years that we had been getting together to craft. While we had turned our hands to lots of different crafts over the years, and a couple of us had had a go at some patchwork, it wasn't something that all of us had done. But none the less, we booked the weekend! We had a choice of a couple of different projects, but in the end settled on a Mystery Quilt (the pattern's by Lessa Siegele). This project took us out of our comfort zone on so many levels . . . first there was the choosing of the fabric - 5 lights and 5 darks. For novice quilters, not knowing what the end product is going to look like can be quite daunting. Do we choose different colours? What about the colour value? So many questions. So many nerves.

But you know how it goes - when the going gets tough, the quilters go shopping!

We were given instructions for a little bit of preparation before the weekend, but we still didn't have any clue what we were going to end up with!



Even though we were all making the same basic quilt, at a certain point in the construction process we had to draw a number each out of a hat, which gave us all different setting out directions. Needless to say, although we all had the same pieces (and a couple of the girls even had the same fabrics) the end result was a group of totally different and yet equally beautiful quilts.



I found it a real challenge to let go of being "in control" of the process and just have fun with it.

I found it a real challenge to choose fabric for a specific project and not know what the project was (which is funny really because I don't generally have trouble buying fabric for no reason at all!!!).

I found that I really loved the fabrics I'd chosen.

I found that quilting with friends is such good fun.

I found that I should have made the quilt bigger if I wanted to use it on a bed.

I found a new passion.

Oh, and I found that I just love how this quilt looks hanging on my wall!

And that, my friends, is the story of my Mystery Quilt.

I'd like to say a huge THANKS to Amy from "Amy's Creative Side" for organising this little get together and enabling us to "show and tell"! And now, why don't you click back over to Amy's blog and check out some more quilts as part of this wonderful BLOGGER'S QUILT FESTIVAL.

70 comments:

Natima said...

Wow, you are the first from Australia to post for the BQF. Mine is still cooking in the oven, hahaha! Lovely quilt Sue, love the colour too.
Enjoy and I hope you get a lot of visitors coming your way - Hugs Natima

Sue-Anne said...

Great quilt Sue and I love the story that goes with it. You were all so brave to step out of your comfort zone and choose fabrics without knowing what for. I would have been freaking out! I love it how you were all given a different set of instructions so that you came away with different looking quilts.

heather said...

super amazing! love the colors. really pretty quilt!

Emily said...

That's a really great story! I have seen a lot of people have iffy results from mystery patterns... I would be so scared to do one! I'm glad yours turned out as beautiful as it did! I'm sure you had a wonderful time at the quilting retreat too. It sure seems like it'd be a relaxing time! :)

Live a Colorful Life said...

I love mystery quilts. I've done quite a few of them and it can be kind of nervewracking when you don' t know what you will end up with. I think 95% of the time I have been really happy with it. Thanks for sharing your quilt!

Jo Avery said...

Thanks for sharing your lovely story and I really love the fabric you chose - well done!

Leah said...

Oh, what a great story - and your quilt looks great!

Shawn said...

Your quilt is so pretty and for me enjoying the process is what it is all about! You should try the pinwheel sampler if you have time it was a lot of fun. Also I love embroidery but have never been "shown" the correct way to satin stitch, it makes sense, thanks so much!! Thanks for the Melly link, your embroidery looks beautiful!

Angie Padilla said...

Absolutely love this story! I think a lot of us can identify with how quilting just ends up grabbing you!

Leslie said...

quilting with friends is amazing..you did a wonderful job

Sally said...

Neat! Your quilt is beautiful, and it sounds like you had such an adventure making it! Thanks for sharing your story.

A Garden of Threads said...

I just love doing mystery quilts and yours looks fantastic. Great work:)

Anne said...

Very pretty and remembering how you made it makes it extra special!

Lois Grebowski said...

You are brave to tackle a mystery quilt. I'm still at the point where I have to visualize the end product before jumping in.

Carla said...

What a great story! It's wonderful to be able to share such fun with great friends. It makes your quilt that more special and it's beautiful! Thank you for sharing you quilt. :)

Jocelyn said...

Wow I love the fabrics you used in this quilt! Very lovely.

Kelli said...

I'll bet they all looked so different! I enjoyed your story and your quilt!

call me crazy said...

Sounds like a really fun time with friends! I like the colors you chose too! :-)

Michelle said...

Very nice!

Kristen said...

What a great idea! I think it would have made me miserable to give up the control in design, but I would be happy in the end. Your result is beautiful!

Janet said...

Lovely quilt, the colors are great! It's funny how quickly quilting can become a passion!

Elizabeth said...

That turned out beautifull. Going in blind would definitely be hard for me, but you did a really fabulous job. Thanks for a lovely stop on the Quilt Blogger's Festival tour!

kwiltmakr said...

I like those fabrics and I am glad that you enjoyed your quilt experience. Lots of times I like the fabric in the beginning and then don't care too much for them after the quilt is together and wish I would have chosen differently but it all works out in the end. Sure glad yours did.

Michelle said...

That sounds fun, almost like a mystery within a mystery.

Carol Hansen said...

thanks for sharing your story. It's a beautiful quilt and I like your color choices.

Tammy said...

I'd say you *found" a lot of wonderful things with your mystery quilt, Sue! What fun! Thanks for sharing :-)

Blessings,
Tammy ~@~
Garden Glimpses

Anita said...

Lovely quilt...great story too!

dolly said...

Congrats on so many firsts and finishing !
Gotta love those quilting friends and adventures.

Danica said...

Great fabrics and a great story to go with the quilt!

ivoryspring said...

Very pretty!!! The setting is unique.

sewpam63 said...

Welcome to the WONDERFUL world of quilting!!! ; ) I recognize some of your fabrics from quilts I've made or in my stash. Good taste! There's nothing quite like fabric and friends stitching together. Enjoy your journey and thanks for sharing!

Melissa said...

I love the idea of a mystery quilt but I have that nagging question in the back of my mind (what if I don't like it?)

Yours turned out beautiful. I really like that script fabric that you included!

Thanks for sharing!

Jill said...

Lovely quilt. Great story!

Kim said...

The quillt is gorgeous! That's one of my favorite fabric lines ever!

Angie said...

I like the idea of a mystery quilt, but kind of stink at following directions. It would be fun with a group, though.

Allie said...

This is gorgeous - I've never done a mystery quilt but this makes me want to try! Congratulations on a job well done!

Amy - parkcitygirl said...

It's so pretty! I'm so glad you had a great quilting experience with friends :) Thanks for sharing.

Carolyn said...

A very pretty quilt. Thank you for letting us have a peek.

Lynn said...

Very nice!

karen said...

Great quilt. I think its scary too participating in a mystery quilt and not knowing what it is going to look like when its finished. It must have been hard picking your fabrics but definitely worth it. Great job.

bethany said...

great job, I love the pattern!!!

AnnieO said...

Loving a fabric enough to take it home from the shop just isn't the same as picking one to go into a mystery quilt--there's all that value and contrast to worry about:) You did a great job on this quilt. I love the fabric with handwriting on it, what a great detail. Beautiful! Thanks for sharing this quilt's story :)

Lis Harwood said...

That is a stunning quilt Sue, I adore the colours - it was a mystery that turned out very well :)
Lis x

Pam said...

I like the quilt (beautiful!) and what a lovely story! Isn't it freeing to just "lose" control....sometimes? LOL!

hugz

Beth Patrick said...

Thanks for sharing the quilt and the story!
Beth in Dallas

Mindy said...

Nice story. Nice quilt. I've always wondered what the mystery quilt workshops were all about.

Megan said...

Do I spy 3 Sisters fabric? It's so tough giving up control and just following directions sometimes, but the end-result was well worth it!

sewshesews said...

loved your story! Sounds like such a fun time and a beautiful quilt to boot! Thanks for sharing!

Busy Little Quilter said...

It's beautiful! I love your story. It's so fun, yet scary at the same time, to let loose and let go. I, too, love quilting with friends. I'm so glad you had fun in the process.

Denise said...

Great quilt and the fabrics are beautiful!

Kathy L said...

What a fun activity to do at a retreat. Your mystery quilt turned out beautifully.

Pat said...

Love your choice of colours. I've always been nervous about trying a mystery quilt but you've inspired me to have a go - when time allows.

ivyarts said...

A beautiful quilt and so many other great discoveries. What a tremendous experience. Don't wait 10 years to do it again!

Diane said...

beautiful quilt-love the colors and your story. I've made a few mystery quilts and they can really make you nervous picking fabrics before you know what you're making. I don't have trouble buying fabric for no reason either!!

Marit said...

Lovely quilt that holds so many memories! Quilting is a great interest to be shared with friends in a group...
; )

Sandy from Germany said...

What a lovely quilt, Sue - and the colours you've chosen are great!

georgie said...

Thanks for sharing your lovely quilt and story.
happy quilting
Georgie x

Petra said...

Love this quilt! And your story, too!!

Penny G said...

Great fun! Loe your quilt

Sandra Davidson said...

Beautiful quilt Sue, I love the fabric and what fun you had putting it together.

Randi said...

Great story!

Kim D. said...

Beautiful Quilt!! It's always fun to do them with a group, there are so many different color ways.

Raewyn said...

A lovely quilt and a neat story to go with it! Mysteries can be so much fun, sometimes you just got to trust the process!

mngirltx said...

I've never made a mystery quilt...I think y'all were very brave. The quilt is lovely!

LizzyM said...

What a neat story -- I love quilts with a story behind them. What a pretty quilt!

Debbie said...

That's such a nice story, Sue. Nothing wrong with making simple quilts, it's relaxing!

kameleonquilt said...

What a lovely story, and ditto quilt. Makes me want to do a mystery quilt.

Heather said...

I have done a few mystery quilts, and I agree, it's hard to loosen up and just follow instructions. It looks great.

Susan Michele said...

Great mystery quilt. It sounds like a challenge that really paid off. Thanks for sharing it with us!

Garilyn said...

Beautiful quilt! I've never done a Mystery Quilt. Sounds wonderful, especially spending time with friends.
I'm here from BQF!

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