Orca Bay, step #3...and my inspiration!

Step #3 consists of 350 HST (Half square triangle) units, 2" square. These took quite some time to sew. I started out with 2.5" squares, drew a diagonal line on each, and sewed 1/4" on either side of the line. Then, I cut on the diagonal, pressed each open, and squared each down to 2" square.
Next time I have to make lots of these, I should explore another method...there's so many different ways to make these little blocks.

Again, I used 1900 reproduction fabrics, including some recycled shirts that fit right in. I especially love the little conversation prints!

While picking fabric for this quilt, I keep some actual 1900-era fabric close-at-hand to help me choose the right shades and patterns. The photo below shows an old apron and an old quilt piece, along with some of my completed blocks.

Eventually (maybe Friday??) we'll be using the red scraps....lots of red scraps! I'll be using clear reds, clarets, and some darker double-pinks, using these old pieces as a guide.

One reason I love the 1900-era quilts is because the colors are so simple and clear, and the patterns are usually uncomplicated. They just have a certain charm to them.

Orca Bay, step #2

Step #2 consists of 72 string blocks, 3.5 inches square. These were fun to make, and very addictive! I used up lots of blue scraps, and dug into my stash of reproduction 1900 fabrics.

The blocks photographed lighter than in reality. I really tried to use only fabrics that could be from 1900, and this photo doesn't convey that.

Louise

Orca Bay, step #1

I just couldn't resist starting Bonnie Hunter's new mystery quilt "Orca Bay". Step #1 is to make 224 tiny hourglasses, each being 2.5 inches square. I love 1900-era quilts, so I'm mostly using reproduction fabrics which are abundant in my inventory! Most of the hourglasses are done, some pictured below.

I'm also using scraps from recycled shirts, which with their many plaids, stripes & homespun fabrics are perfect for replicating 1900-era quilts. In the photo below, the black fabric with the small boxes inside the bigger boxes (2nd one from the left) came from a shirt....it's perfect! I also love the black mourning prints, which were very common in 1900.

I love mystery quilts and I'm so curious to discover how all these little pieces will eventually go together!

Louise

Quiltmaker mystery, step #2

I finished this step today, in the current Quiltmaker magazine. It involves making 48 of these little blocks:

The instructions are to either use the template in the magazine, or to paper piece. I wasn't looking forward to doing either!
I remembered that I had these nifty tri-recs tools & found that they worked great! Why didn't the magazine recommend these rulers??!!



Here is the 2nd part of step #2 - 17 & 14 of these blocks. I'm thinking maybe they're for some kind of border? The dark is really a dark purple.



This is how all the blocks look together. I can't imagine what the result will be. There are still 4 more fabrics that haven't been used yet.


I have to admit that when I make mystery quilts, I never use fabric that I am really in love with. That way, if I don't like the design I haven't "wasted" any fabric. These purples look pretty together, but they are older fabrics and I'm happy to use them up!

Louise

Quiltmaker mystery - step #1

Despite my large repertoire of UFOs, I succumbed to temptation and started another one! It's the Mystery Quilt in the May/June 2011 Quiltmaker magazine, designed by Debbie Caffrey. The good thing is that the fabric is all from my stash, so I didn't have to buy more! Some of this fabric is very well aged!

These are the fabrics I'm using - all purples & greens.




Here are the finished blocks from step #1. So far, it's an easy quilt & I like the way the colors are playing together.
A few years back I let all my quilt magazine subscriptions expire. I just had too many & all the patterns started looking alike. I like this magazine, though, so I may end up subscribing, especially now that Bonnie Hunter, one of my favorite quilt celebrities, is a contributor.

Louise

RRCB step #5

For step 5 of this mystery, I have 431 HSTs completed....only 169 to go. I'm using an Easy Angle ruler, as Bonnie suggested, and I think this is easier than my usual method of putting 2 squares together, sewing two lines on the diagonal, cutting, then squaring.
I've gotten all the blue from one shirt, but that will probably run out. A pair of PJ pants in the same shade of blue is waiting in the wings for the remaining units.



As I'm sewing these little units, I keep wondering how all these pieces will fit together. Below is one block which came to mind, which is similar to a Bears Paw.
Where do the other units fit into this puzzle, though? I'll just have to be patient to find that out!

I've really enjoyed this mystery so far. By pushing myself to get the clues done in time for the next clue, I'm getting lots of sewing done. Other things are being neglected, though....housework, finishing Christmas cards, blah, blah, blah.........!

RRCB....Still a mystery

Step #4 of Bonnie Hunter's mystery "Roll, Roll, Cotton Boll" was quick & easy, resulting in these little green and neutral units.



On the other hand, Step #3 (the neutral string-pieced blocks shown below) took hours & hours. The 60 blocks consumed lots of scraps, and I had fun making them all! Some of the fabrics make me smile...I've even got a treadle machine in there.

These are all the completed steps shown together, with the blue "constant" underneath it all. This mystery remains a mystery. I just can't imagine how all these blocks will go together!

Step #5 is expected on Friday.....I'm looking forward to the next clue.............

Louise