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.
82 comments
Comments feed for this article
May 21, 2010 at 8:55 am
Natima
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
May 21, 2010 at 11:02 am
Sue-Anne
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.
May 21, 2010 at 4:37 pm
heather
super amazing! love the colors. really pretty quilt!
May 21, 2010 at 5:05 pm
Emily
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! 🙂
May 10, 2017 at 12:19 am
Priest
Bon, après m’être documenté, je ne suis plus partagé du tout, cette pratique est une infamie aux motivations électorale et idéologique. Les spoliés sont des gens modestes qui avaient le mauvais goût d’être confronté à une opportunité de plus-value, souvent indispensable d&sauuo;rilleqrs s’ils voulaient déménager ailleurs.Une fois de plus, Cécile Duflot ne prend la loi et les institutions au sérieux que quand ça l’arrange.
May 21, 2010 at 6:02 pm
Live a Colorful Life
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!
May 21, 2010 at 7:02 pm
Carol at Serendipity
Mystery quilts can be so much fun – especially if done with friends. Yours is lovely.
Carol
May 21, 2010 at 7:15 pm
Jo Avery
Thanks for sharing your lovely story and I really love the fabric you chose – well done!
May 21, 2010 at 7:30 pm
Leah
Oh, what a great story – and your quilt looks great!
May 21, 2010 at 8:49 pm
Shawn
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!
May 21, 2010 at 9:41 pm
Angie Padilla
Absolutely love this story! I think a lot of us can identify with how quilting just ends up grabbing you!
May 21, 2010 at 9:54 pm
Leslie
quilting with friends is amazing..you did a wonderful job
May 21, 2010 at 10:22 pm
Sally
Neat! Your quilt is beautiful, and it sounds like you had such an adventure making it! Thanks for sharing your story.
May 21, 2010 at 10:26 pm
A Garden of Threads
I just love doing mystery quilts and yours looks fantastic. Great work:)
May 21, 2010 at 11:09 pm
Anne
Very pretty and remembering how you made it makes it extra special!
May 21, 2010 at 11:31 pm
Lois Grebowski
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.
May 21, 2010 at 11:34 pm
Carla
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. 🙂
May 21, 2010 at 11:57 pm
Jocelyn
Wow I love the fabrics you used in this quilt! Very lovely.
May 22, 2010 at 12:36 am
Kelli
I’ll bet they all looked so different! I enjoyed your story and your quilt!
May 22, 2010 at 1:26 am
Valentina
What a wonderful story!
and I can see having to learn some of those lessons myself!
🙂
May 22, 2010 at 1:47 am
call me crazy
Sounds like a really fun time with friends! I like the colors you chose too! 🙂
May 22, 2010 at 2:02 am
Michelle
Very nice!
May 22, 2010 at 2:06 am
Kristen
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!
May 22, 2010 at 3:18 am
Janet
Lovely quilt, the colors are great! It’s funny how quickly quilting can become a passion!
May 22, 2010 at 3:19 am
Elizabeth
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!
May 22, 2010 at 3:22 am
kwiltmakr
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.
May 22, 2010 at 3:49 am
Michelle
That sounds fun, almost like a mystery within a mystery.
May 9, 2017 at 8:09 pm
Gerry
July 15, 2010Hmm, $0… I don’t know about that I have actually organized three shootouts so far with my Mom’s gro38&#p2u0; no takers, which is REALLY REALLY depressing. People have expressed interest but no matter what day I’ve chosen, I’ve gotten 0 RSVPs. So sad. I may try again with a bigger group (a local parents list that I’m on) in hopes that more folks would be interested.
May 22, 2010 at 4:11 am
Carol Hansen
thanks for sharing your story. It’s a beautiful quilt and I like your color choices.
May 22, 2010 at 6:12 am
Tammy
I’d say you *found” a lot of wonderful things with your mystery quilt, Sue! What fun! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Blessings,
Tammy ~@~
Garden Glimpses
May 22, 2010 at 7:03 am
Anita
Lovely quilt…great story too!
May 22, 2010 at 8:12 am
dolly
Congrats on so many firsts and finishing !
Gotta love those quilting friends and adventures.
May 22, 2010 at 10:29 am
Danica
Great fabrics and a great story to go with the quilt!
May 22, 2010 at 10:49 am
ivoryspring
Very pretty!!! The setting is unique.
May 22, 2010 at 11:09 am
sewpam63
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!
May 9, 2017 at 7:45 pm
Jodi
O LORD AV MERCY ON DIS OUR COUNTRY NIG,BCS I SEE NO DIFFERENTS BTWN NIGERIA ND SODOM ND GOMORA,A COUNTRY DAT LACK FEAR OF GOD,INSTEAD INVEST PUBLIC FUND ON SEXUAL IMOMIALRTY,GOD PLS,,,,,,,,,,!
May 22, 2010 at 11:18 am
Melissa
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!
May 22, 2010 at 11:25 am
Jill
Lovely quilt. Great story!
May 22, 2010 at 11:28 am
Kim
The quillt is gorgeous! That’s one of my favorite fabric lines ever!
May 22, 2010 at 11:48 am
Angie
I like the idea of a mystery quilt, but kind of stink at following directions. It would be fun with a group, though.
May 22, 2010 at 12:38 pm
Allie
This is gorgeous – I’ve never done a mystery quilt but this makes me want to try! Congratulations on a job well done!
May 22, 2010 at 12:46 pm
Amy - parkcitygirl
It’s so pretty! I’m so glad you had a great quilting experience with friends 🙂 Thanks for sharing.
May 22, 2010 at 1:51 pm
Carolyn
A very pretty quilt. Thank you for letting us have a peek.
May 22, 2010 at 2:11 pm
Lynn
Very nice!
May 22, 2010 at 8:37 pm
karen
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.
May 23, 2010 at 1:37 am
bethany
great job, I love the pattern!!!
May 23, 2010 at 1:50 am
AnnieO
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 🙂
May 23, 2010 at 3:29 am
Lis Harwood
That is a stunning quilt Sue, I adore the colours – it was a mystery that turned out very well 🙂
Lis x
May 23, 2010 at 3:34 am
Pam
I like the quilt (beautiful!) and what a lovely story! Isn’t it freeing to just “lose” control….sometimes? LOL!
hugz
May 23, 2010 at 8:24 am
Beth Patrick
Thanks for sharing the quilt and the story!
Beth in Dallas
May 23, 2010 at 12:05 pm
Mindy
Nice story. Nice quilt. I’ve always wondered what the mystery quilt workshops were all about.
May 23, 2010 at 1:46 pm
Megan
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!
May 23, 2010 at 1:59 pm
sewshesews
loved your story! Sounds like such a fun time and a beautiful quilt to boot! Thanks for sharing!
May 23, 2010 at 11:54 pm
Busy Little Quilter
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.
May 24, 2010 at 3:05 am
Denise
Great quilt and the fabrics are beautiful!
May 24, 2010 at 3:11 am
Kathy L
What a fun activity to do at a retreat. Your mystery quilt turned out beautifully.
May 24, 2010 at 5:50 am
Pat
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.
May 24, 2010 at 10:58 am
ivyarts
A beautiful quilt and so many other great discoveries. What a tremendous experience. Don’t wait 10 years to do it again!
May 24, 2010 at 11:49 am
Diane
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!!
May 24, 2010 at 5:12 pm
Marit
Lovely quilt that holds so many memories! Quilting is a great interest to be shared with friends in a group…
; )
May 24, 2010 at 6:11 pm
Sandy from Germany
What a lovely quilt, Sue – and the colours you’ve chosen are great!
May 24, 2010 at 6:30 pm
QuiltSue
Love the quilts.
Love the fabrics.
Love the story.
May 25, 2010 at 4:40 am
georgie
Thanks for sharing your lovely quilt and story.
happy quilting
Georgie x
May 25, 2010 at 5:49 am
Petra
Love this quilt! And your story, too!!
May 25, 2010 at 9:47 am
Sandra Davidson
Beautiful quilt Sue, I love the fabric and what fun you had putting it together.
May 25, 2010 at 9:47 am
Penny G
Great fun! Loe your quilt
May 26, 2010 at 3:26 am
Randi
Great story!
May 26, 2010 at 2:36 pm
Kim D.
Beautiful Quilt!! It’s always fun to do them with a group, there are so many different color ways.
May 27, 2010 at 5:25 am
Raewyn
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!
May 27, 2010 at 12:03 pm
mngirltx
I’ve never made a mystery quilt…I think y’all were very brave. The quilt is lovely!
May 9, 2017 at 11:53 pm
Carlee
Sorry for your loss my heart goes out to you and your family.I will keep all in my prLerys.aorna and Tracy if all need any thing just let me know.Trae will be miss it was a honor to know him.
May 27, 2010 at 2:54 pm
LizzyM
What a neat story — I love quilts with a story behind them. What a pretty quilt!
May 28, 2010 at 1:39 am
Debbie
That’s such a nice story, Sue. Nothing wrong with making simple quilts, it’s relaxing!
May 28, 2010 at 10:34 am
kameleonquilt
What a lovely story, and ditto quilt. Makes me want to do a mystery quilt.
May 28, 2010 at 1:34 pm
Heather
I have done a few mystery quilts, and I agree, it’s hard to loosen up and just follow instructions. It looks great.
June 1, 2010 at 7:48 am
Susan Michele
Great mystery quilt. It sounds like a challenge that really paid off. Thanks for sharing it with us!
June 2, 2010 at 9:20 am
Garilyn
Beautiful quilt! I’ve never done a Mystery Quilt. Sounds wonderful, especially spending time with friends.
I’m here from BQF!
July 24, 2010 at 4:54 am
Blogger’s Quilt Festival – Spring 2010 » Amy's Creative Side
[…] Natalia 2. FRESH POPPY DESIGN 3. Quiltstory boy baby quilt 4. Sue H. (Suedio) 5. Fiberwork by Debbie 6. Kristen- So Happy 7. Kimberly Bourne 8. Karen – Quilts on Bastings […]
July 26, 2010 at 8:08 am
Blogger’s Quilt Festival – Spring 2010 » Amy's Creative Side
[…] Natalia2. FRESH POPPY DESIGN3. Quiltstory boy baby quilt4. Sue H. (Suedio)5. Fiberwork by Debbie6. Kristen- So Happy7. Kimberly Bourne8. Karen – Quilts on Bastings9. […]
May 9, 2017 at 10:42 pm
Maryellen
The one thought that springs to mind: “If you want to make God laugh, tell him your pls8n.&#a221; You can have a plan, but don’t forget to live in the moment. It helps the plans make sense.
May 9, 2017 at 11:22 pm
Tina
well thank you! You are a doll for the kind reply Thanks again for watching I will be doing the scenstiit by coldplay super soon. Its SOOOOO easy. Take care
May 18, 2017 at 12:22 am
car got repoed
25 julio, 2007AnónimoEs una librerÃÂa que contiene funcionalidades de red. Como por ejemplo enviar un paquete ARP a la red, etc.Que raro que no la tengas. Forma parte de Windows.Intenta ver si la puedes descargar de algún sitio, y colócala en el mismo directorio de ANT. A ver si asàresuelves el problema.Un saludo.