The Summer Mystery has now finished and the instructions have been removed. However I have left the tutorial here for you as there are a lot of good tips and tricks in the last 10 posts – just use the category to find all posts. You can now download the full pattern as a working Quizzle from here.
If you are getting confident now you can lay your strips out along the lines of your board 3 deep. So below I have three rows of 3 strips double folded (6 layers) and one row of two strips double folded (4 layers). Trim off the end to square and then cross cut your 12 1/2" strips. You will only get one cut like this, which will make 22 strips. Then open out and press the fold out of the rest, again layer and cut the remaining ten 12 1/2" strips.
Alternatively, if you are not ready yet, just cross cut them all individually or maybe just two layers at once.
remember you can chain piece all of these to get them done quicker and save on thread. stitch a light and dark piece together 16 times, then repeat stitching another light piece to the other side. Cut all the units apart for pressing.
remember to press the seams closed first then to the darker fabric or in this case the centre strip.
That's it for today, well done, are you keeping up?
Now one question before you go - if you could make a difference just by buying a pattern, which charity or cause would you like to assist just by enjoying the passion of stitching? What charity, project or cause could women the world over make a difference to?
hugs, Helen
I just found your great site today.
The mystery looks like it is almost solved,
but I would still like to join.
How do I go about....I see #2 - #7 listed.
What are the requirements, and how do I start...where is #1?
Posted by: Wanetha | February 09, 2009 at 01:40 PM
This is greta Helen. I would support women against marital abuse. To many women put up with it and I think if those who disagree got together more victims would see that its far from acceptable.
Regards Janine Lawrence from Deniliquin
Posted by: Janine Lawrence | January 23, 2009 at 12:02 PM
Hi Helen, Remember me from Townsville/Canberra/Scotland? Love your blog and what you have been doing for the past few years - well done. My choice of charity would be to support a child through Plan or World Vision. But there are so many worthy charities it is always difficult to choose. Have chosen my fabrics for the mystery quilt but have yet to begin. Hugs Alexandra Macgregor
Posted by: Alexandra | January 19, 2009 at 12:17 PM
I'm having a wonderful time doing my very first mystery quilt and eagerly wait for the next stage.
I am finding it difficult choosing just one charity so I guess a scientific charity that develops the cure for cancers and other life threatening diseases
Posted by: Sue | January 18, 2009 at 02:35 PM
this is so wonderful thank you Helen! I am trying to get started but haven't been able to buy a rotary cutter or mat yet, but I will, now my machine has dies and needs going in but never mind i WILL get there, Just popping in to say I have mentioned your BOM on Stitchers Showcase in our Quilter's Group as it is for novices like me and thought it would be great for others too, hope this is ok???
Posted by: Linda | January 17, 2009 at 10:19 PM
Thanks for the second part, have it all done now and only a couple of unpicks LOL. This is fun and I am understanding what to do each step so far.
Charities, I do tend to lean towards breast cancer myself
Posted by: sharon-nz | January 17, 2009 at 01:07 PM
Thanks for sharing a fantastic project, while I haven't started yet, I should be able to get it happening next week after the visitors leave.
My charity of choice would have to be Save the Children, because they help to alleviate suffering of children across the globe.
Posted by: Tracey | January 17, 2009 at 11:09 AM
I've sponsored a girl in Cambodia for a few years through World Vision. Part of what she gets from World Vision is an education which means she has more opportunities as an adult. (I'm a teacher, so education is a top priority for me.) Here in Australia we have so much and there are many countries in the world where the people have so little. I chose World Vision because it is non-denominal and it benefits the whole community, not just the individual child. Like the saying says....it takes a village to raise a child.....and we live in the world village....so World Vision is the go!
Sue
Western Australia
Posted by: Sue | January 16, 2009 at 10:08 AM
These are all great charity suggestions, but I would lean more toward children's charities, maybe March of Dimes or St. Jude's? There are certainly lots of great charities to support!
I'm just joining in here with the mystery. Had a bit of a challenge coming up with fabrics from my stash, but I'm well on my way now. Just posted at my blog about step one and I hope to finish step two today. Thanks, Helen! I needed something like this to give me a lift. ;o)
Posted by: Heather | January 16, 2009 at 03:18 AM
OH NO she has posted the next step and I have not done the last!
Charity wise - I support breast Cancer but it gets so much rave. Maybe a unsung hero type of charity - quiet one that plods away without any energy to ask for help... I think Dzintra's idea of careing for the carers is good.
Posted by: Sarah | January 15, 2009 at 10:48 PM
As I am a carer for a daughter with a disability I think time out for mothers who don't get a break too often...even to just go out for a coffee...see the latest movie...a date with Hubby...support groups. Having said that cancer research also.
Posted by: Dzintra Ingrid | January 15, 2009 at 09:38 PM
I have a daughter who has had diabetes since she was 8 (now 31). Last year she was diagnosed with bowel cancer so I think my choice would be cancer research as
many people have been able to live a long life having diabetes not so with cancer. Although having said that, juvenile diabetes would be a very close second.
Posted by: Noela | January 15, 2009 at 09:17 PM
Having recently lost my Father to prostate cancer, I would love to see women get behind this one in the same way we support breast cancer. After all, men got on board our campaign, and it would be a very supportive thing if we boosted their campaign.
Posted by: Lindi | January 15, 2009 at 06:36 PM
My first thought was breast cancer, but gosh, there are so many worthy causes that affect women.
Posted by: Teresa | January 15, 2009 at 02:01 PM
Thanks for the second part of the mystery quilt! I can't wait to do it! I love the way the first part is looking! Since my step-sister has stage 4 breast cancer, your question is an easy one for me. Breast Cancer Awareness, promoting mammograms and early detection.
Posted by: Loralynn | January 15, 2009 at 01:52 PM