some of my fabrics
Welcome, NEEDLES n FRIENDS, to the first month of the Mystery Quilt-along!
Last month, I handed out fabric requirements:
4 1/2 yards of background fabric and 31 strips from a Jelly Roll OR 10 fat quarters OR 2 1/2 yards of printed or solid fabric.
This month we will be cutting up our fabric.
*PLEASE READ ALL THE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE CUTTING*
From the 4 1/2 yards of background fabric, cut ONE piece 65" by wof (width of fabric).
With that piece, fold the fabric lengthwise so the selvedges are on both sides and get ready to cut into strips 2 1/2 " wide
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First, cut 8 strips of fabric. You will soon be nearing the crease of the fabric, so then you will flip the fabric around, trim off the selvedge from the other side and cut 8 more 2 and a 1/2" strips, working towards the crease of the fabric!
This leaves you with a center piece of fabric as a scrap with a crease in the middle. Creases don't always iron out so it is just easier to work around it. (See strip at far right of picture)
From the 16 strips that measure 65" x 2 1/2", cut as follows:
Cut 4 down to 64 1/2". LABEL and set aside. ~LABELING IS VERY IMPORTANT~
Cut 2 down to 56 1/2". Use the remainder to cut 2 pieces 4 1/2" x 2 1/2". LABEL and set aside.
Cut 2 down to 52 1/2". Use the remainder to cut 2 pieces 8 1/2" x 2 1/2". LABEL and set aside.
Cut 2 down to 44 1/2". Use the remainder to cut 2 pieces 16 1/2" x 2 1/2". LABEL and set aside.
Cut 2 down to 40 1/2". Use the remainder to cut 2 pieces 20 1/2" x 2 1/2". LABEL and set aside
Cut 2 down to 32 1/2". Use the remainder to cut 2 pieces 28 1/2" x 2 1/2". LABEL and set aside.
There will be 2 remaining pieces of fabric. You can set them aside as scraps, or you can substitute some of those for the next step.
Now, from the remaining piece of yardage, cut 31 pieces of fabric 2 1/2" x wof.
All of your backgroud fabrics should be cut.
Now for the main fabric!
If you are using a Jelly Roll, choose 31 strips from the roll.
If you are using yardage, cut 31 strips 2 1/2" x wof.
If you are using fat quarters: iron, trim the selvedges, be sure you have 21" of fabric to work with, then cut 62 strips 2 1/2" x 21". AND....if you are using fabric any smaller than that.....call me and you will get "special" instructions!!!
Be careful with those rotary cutters!!!
It's not alot of fun unless you make "A Block! So lets get started.....
Take 2 different strips of colored fabric and 2 strips of your background fabric. Sew strips together in pairs: one background and one colored. 1/4 seam allowance will be use throughout this project. Sew strips right sides together and down one long side. Press the seams toward the colored fabric. You will now have 2 sets of strips sewn together.
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Take the two sets of strips and line them up on your cutting board....
trim off the unevenedges;;;;
cut segments every 2.5"...
take two segments
pin them together and sew 
Press the seam to one side.......now you have a little four patch, which is the center of your quilt! You can stand back and amdire your handiwork! Isn't it cute!!!
Now using the background fabrics that you have labeled with the measurements;;;
add the 4.5"x 2.5" pieces to the sides of the 4 patch
Sew together and press;
Add the 8 .5" x 2.5" piece to the top and bottom.
Sew together and press.
We will stop here and wait for instructions after Guild day!!!!
