Murder Mystery Reveal

 Doing quilt mysteries is a risk. Sometimes I love the results, sometimes I don't. Sometimes, if I had seen the quilt ahead of time, I never would have made it, and THAT'S OK! By my thinking, every quilt you make teaches you something. 

Sometimes you are forced to do techniques you don't know how to do, you may like it, or you may hate it, but it still teaches you that about yourself. When I do Bonnie Hunter Mysteries, I usually change the colors, but I am very familiar with her quilts, and I've mostly liked my changes. I can only think of one time I wish I hadn't changed the colors. Even on her quilts, I've changed the layout several times. 

This is my second year of doing the Murder Mystery Quilt. Last year I had a lot of fun, and although I wasn't thrilled with the final layout, I modified it to be a quilt I like quite a lot. I enjoyed the story and knew who the killer was. 

This year I was doubting the quilt less than halfway through the year, I still have no idea who the killer is, and I wasn't thrilled with the layout as I expected. Whether I am buying a pattern, or doing a mystery quilt, I know the final quilt is my own, and I don't see anything wrong with changing a pattern to better suit my taste. Sometimes what I like changes quite a lot based on what is going on in my life. Right now, there is a lot on my mind, a LOT of changes are coming, and I've been attracted to simpler quilts. This year's murder mystery quilt is not simple, and there's nothing wrong with that, but it's not my thing right now. When I saw the layout reveal, I actually debated on splitting the blocks into two quilts, and actually tossing a few blocks, but then I realized I didn't want to do that much extra work on this quilt right now, and if I abandon it, to work on "later" I know I'd never go back to it. 

I decided the most efficient way to deal with this, was to finish the quilt center mostly as the designer intended, then change the borders. I felt like there were just too many colors in the quilt, which is weird since I love scrap quilts so much, but with a very scrappy quilt, the colors are distributed all over the quilt, or they are done in gradient or colorwash fashion, something that makes sense to my mind. In this quilt the colors are concentrated in specific areas, and to me, it seems pretty random. I did change the center block, but I used the designers colors, I just used a different block. 

I looked through my stash to see if I had any fabrics that had a good number of the colors in it, because to me, the quilt was not cohesive. I found one fabric that had most of the colors in it, but not all of them. It was a busier print than I would have preferred to use, but since it was my only option without shopping, and I'm not shopping for this, it will have to do. 

Do I like it? No, I don't. Now that it's together I like it better than when I first saw the reveal, but would I have made the quilt if I had known what it would look like? No. Do I feel like it was a waste of my time? Not really. 

The best thing about doing a mystery quilt, especially one that takes place over a full year, is it reminds you to think about the process. I am a prolific quilter, and I can get overly distracted by the finishing, and forget to enjoy the process. 

Want to know what I learned while making this quilt? The center block was supposed to be paper pieced, and it was the only block I didn't finish on time. I was going to do the paper pieced block, but I don't enjoy paper piecing, and I couldn't make myself do it. When I totally double downed on NOT doing the paper piecing, I realized that it's not something I'm even remotely interested in getting better at. I CAN paper piece, and if I really loved something I might do it again, but if I never do it again, that's OK with me. I can make a lot of quilts with traditional piecing. 

I learned that I am picky about how color is used. I've already mentioned how I almost divided the blocks into two quilts, and tossed a couple blocks. I would have used all the blue blocks in a blue quilt. Sure, I would have added stuff to those blocks to make a whole quilt with them, but it bothers me that the only place blue is used is in the blue blocks. 

If I had used the blue blocks in a blue quilt, I would have used most of the other blocks in a green and pink quilt. Sure the center block is only green with white, and the horizontal blocks with concentric squares are only pinks and reds, but with the center border having both pink and green, and the pinwheel blocks and corner blocks having pink and green, they all could work in a cohesive quilt. 

So what would I have tossed? I would have eliminated the yellow, and tossed the orange and brown border. Those colors don't integrate into the rest of the quilt.

Do I think the designer did a poor job? NO! The designer was not just designing a quilt, she was telling a story. I know from her explanation of last year's quilt, that every single thing she puts in the quilt means something, from the colors to the block design to the final layout. What seems random to me, was very intentional on her part. 

I'm taking a break from mystery quilts for a while, I've just got too much on my plate to keep trying to work them in. At least with the quilt top done this quilt will eventually work its way to the top of the quilting queue, and it won't be a UFO forever. 

Finish #39

 I've finally finished Bonnie Hunter's 2022 mystery quilt, Chilhowie! I'm going to ask DH to take it somewhere to get a better photo, but for now, here's the photo I took. I'm so close to my goal of 40 finishes for the year! 

The colors don't look true at all in this pic.

This photo show the colors better. In person this quilt is rich and gorgeous! If I had known how much I was going to love this quilt, I would have made it larger so it work on my bed. I don't have enough of the fabrics I used to make another, nor did I even have enough of the orange to make it large enough to fit my bed. I could have gotten more of the purple and black, but I couldn't find more of the orange. That plum-y purple I'd love to have a whole bolt of, it is gorgeous in person. The teal I used for the background I'm on my second bolt of. 

I still have a couple Bonnie Hunter mysteries to finish. Last year I did two colorways of Indigo Way. One of those is finished, one is not. The one that isn't I completely changed the setting on, and the center is together but I need to add borders. The other Bonnie Hunter mystery that isn't finished is Rhododendron Trail. I wasn't a big fan of that quilt, and divided the blocks into two separate quilts. I know one of those is partially assembled, but I honestly have no idea where I'm at on the second. 

I'm skipping this year's mystery and if I have all my other mystery quilts finished before next year, I might dive in next year. Sometimes I need a break from mystery quilts.

My parents got their Christmas gifts, and I told them to open them early. I made them Quilted Hugs. They live in New England where winters are cold, and considering their kids are retiring, you can imagine they aren't youngsters anymore. It's easy enough to put a blanket on your body while sitting down, but keeping your shoulders warm is tricky. When I saw the Quilted Hugs, I thought they could get a lot of use out of them. 

Since they already opened them, here are some pics.

This is my mom's. I bought the jelly roll I used for it last year during a Black Friday sale, specifically to make her this Quilted Hug. She loves blue and the pearlescence on the fabric was just too pretty to not get for her.

My dad loves watching the squirrels, and when I saw the fabric line the Secret Life of Squirrels, I knew I needed to get some. I bought two of the focus fabrics, plus some acorn fabric, then the rest was stash. 

I got to give a couple of the grands their first sewing lessons this week.

They are both into playing Minecraft, so I had them make Minecraft placemats. It was an easy first project. 

I've got the layout for the Greek mystery now, so that's what I'll be working on this next week, but while I was waiting, I was working on some scrap quilts. 

This did not use up the blue scraps, so there will be more blue quilts coming up. I've got this quilt assembled now. 

This used up some of the autumn colored scraps I was given, as well as an autumn colored applique panel I was given. How old do you think that applique panel was, late 1970's, early 1980's? There wasn't a date on it.  I added in some orphan leaf blocks to make a better number of blocks for the quilt. I love giving forgotten fabrics a home! 

DH and I have been discussing what I would get rid of should we need to downsize quickly, and most of the house is pretty easy, but my quilting stuff is where I would struggle. Offhand, I'd say I'd try to keep any widebacks I have on hand, fat quarters and scraps, any bolts of fabric I have, and I'd get rid of most of my yardage. I'd likely keep most of my quilt kits as well, but probably not all. Scrap quilts are my favorite to make, and even when I go with a strict color scheme, the more different fabrics the better. My best plan is to use up as much as I can before that becomes an issue! I love my stash of fabric, tools and notions, it would really be the hardest part of downsizing for me. We don't have imminent plans to downsize, but there are several scenarios possible that would encourage that. Time will tell, but it's always good to have a plan. 

Christmas Gifts Finished!

Sorry, I've got no photos this post. I've been busy making the last of the Christmas gifts, and I can't show them right now. This is the first time in YEARS I've actually made everything I wanted to. Normally I end up running out of time and crossing stuff off my list. I'm pretty happy with getting it all done. Everything that needed to be mailed is also mailed, with the exception of some Christmas cards. 

Often I'm neck deep in Bonnie Hunter's mystery quilt this time of year as well, and although I'm following the mystery, I have no desire to do it this year. The reveal for the Greek murder mystery comes out next week, and with my Christmas gifts done, and not doing another mystery, I can get right into the assembling of that quilt top when the reveal does come out. 

I'm really appreciating having a slow finish to the year, instead of a mad dash in the sewing room. That doesn't mean we won't be plenty busy in other areas. Starting the last Sunday in December, we are hosting or co-hosting parties three weekends in a row, and none of those are a retirement party for DH! I'm kind of doubting we'll end up doing a retirement party, since he's retiring at such a busy time of year. He's also been working from home for about a year now, and that changes the work dynamics quite a bit. 

I started FMQ another quilt now that the quilted gifts are done. Piecing wise I'm working on some scrap blocks in an effort to empty a couple project boxes. I like to pre-cut my deadline quilts, and I have two in particular I want to get cut out. If I could get those two quilts cut out by the first of the year, that would be a huge win for me. 

This weekend I've got two of the grands, and one of them at least, will be getting his first sewing lesson. If that goes well, I might try one with his younger brother. I have two projects prepped and ready to go for them, so we'll see. It depends on how they are feeling too, since they've been sick this week.

Hopefully next week I'll have photos for you, maybe a quilt finish, or maybe just the Greek mystery quilt on the design wall. 

Finished in Time for the Holidays!

I've been promising DD#2 a Thanksgiving/Christmas hot pad to use on her kitchen island since she moved into her new house, three years ago. I had the Thanksgiving side done quickly enough, but I kept changing my mind on the Christmas side. I showed you each side in my last post, but that project is now completely finished, and will be used tomorrow, since she's hosting Thanksgiving. I had planned on using one layer of cotton batting and one layer of insulbrite, but the insulbrite wasn't quite wide enough, so I went with two layers of cotton batting instead. I guess I could have pieced the insulbrite, and I did piece the cotton batting, but I've never pieced insulbrite before, so I wasn't sure it it would compromise the final project. If you've pieced insulbrite, let me know how it went for you. 

I opted for a black and white gingham for the binding, as the center of the Thanksgiving has a bunch of black and white, and it went very well with the Christmas side. It was harder lining up the top and bottom than I expected it to be, and I ended up trimming the Christmas border smaller, but it doesn't need to be perfect to be used twice per year. I guess technically this is two pieced tops, and I usually don't count table toppers as quilt finishes, but being this is 46" square, I'm counting it as one quilt finish, which brings me up to 38 finishes for 2024. 

I made more progress on Christmas presents. I have a few smaller things that need binding, then they'll be done. I have two other things to make, one of which is started, the other isn't started at all, though all the supplies are gathered together. I'm hoping to knock out most of the binding on Friday, then work on the last two gifts until they are finished. 

Aside from Christmas sewing, I finished November's blocks for the Greek Murder Mystery quilt.

I don't remember what the designer said the final measurements are, but I'm wondering if it's going to be a medallion quilt with rounds of borders. The final layout comes out in December, so I don't have long to wait. As for who I think the murderer is, this year I have no idea. Last year with the Viking murder mystery, I had it figured out by August, but this year I'm still debating between three people. I'll put in a guess after I read the December chapter, but unless the next chapter has a big clue, I'll be seriously guessing. 

Viking Murder Mystery A.K.A. Finish #37

 Last year's Murder Mystery quilt is finished! Last year was a Viking mystery, and as we were making the ship parts it was pretty obvious there was going to be a ship on the quilt. I did not use the exact layout that was suggested, but it's close. 

This year the murder mystery is set in Greece, and although the layout comes out in December, I am pretty clueless as to how this years blocks will merge into a cohesive quilt. I've been working on Christmas presents, so I don't have the November units done yet, but I still have time! 

I'm going to be taking some time off of mystery quilts for a bit. I'm not doing this year's Bonnie Hunter Mystery, and I'm not doing the 2025 Murder at Machu Picchu quilt either. I'm sure I'll do other mystery quilts, I'm just ready for a break from them. 

The Viking quilt was finish #37 fo 2024, and my goal for the year was 40 quilt finishes. I've got just over five weeks left to finish three more. I don't usually count table toppers as a quilt finish, but since the huge hot pad I'm making DD#2 is the size of a baby quilt, I will count it as a finish. That is the next in queue for quilting, so after that is done, I need to finish two more quilts. I still have some Christmas projects that aren't quilts but do need quilting to finish, so we'll see how things go. I have two BIG quilts basted, one queen, one king, but who knows, I might just baste a couple smaller quilts so I can hit my goal of 40 finishes if I'm running out of December. 

I've been thinking about next years goals for a while now, and I do want to keep the UFO finishes going, but my main new starts will either be deadline quilts for gifts, or non quilting sewing projects. I have big plans, but how much of those are hard goals, and how much are just wishful thinking I haven't decided yet. Of course, even when I do decide, life may decide to get in the way and derail my plans anyway.