This is Part 1  - Part 2 (Cutting Instructions)

GALLERY of Finished Mysteries Photos is HERE

Part 3 (Sewing the Squares)   Part 3B (Assemble Units)

Part 4 (Assemble Top)    Part 5 - Border Ideas

Often you need a quick quill for a gift or as a fun project for a guild or group. This quilt project began as a simple quilt pattern, but I thought it'd be fun to write it as a fast mystery for those who love them. It'll be only 4 parts - and it's very easy to make. For beginners this will be a good learning quilt, for more experienced quilters it'll be quick and fun.

 Size:  The project can be made in two different sizes - either a full size queen, 84 inches x 84 inches, or you can make it smaller scale at 38" x 38" for a wall quilt.

 Fabrics - ABC:  
You will be using 3 fabric types which I'm calling "A", "B" and "C".

         See sample fabric images for ideas here on this other page.
 A:  
The main focus fabric should be medium in color value (not very dark and not very light). If you are making the queen size quilt it will be more interesting if you choose a boldly designed print fabric or interesting multi-color batik or hand dye for this fabric. See some sample ideas on the Fabric-Ideas Page here. If the quilt is a gift pick a fabric with a theme the person loves - flowers, horses, elephants, ocean, children's toys, outdoor trees and leaves, etc. If your quilt were only black-gray-white this color "A" would be the gray.
 B:  
"B" is the "Black" fabric, ie. the dark, contrasty fabric. It could be chosen as the deepest color you can find in the "A" fabric print. It should be a deep color: navy, deep teal, deep maroon, etc. Contrast is important. The quilt will be MUCH more interesting if this "B" fabric is made up of several different fabrics in a scrappy look. Not just all one of the same dark fabric.
 C:  
This last is the "light and bright" color - it can be a wild color seen in the "A" print or anything you think will go and be the "eye catcher". Again, several fabrics in a scrappy effect will look good. Several bright-lime yellows? A few light cherry  magentas? Study your "A" fabric to pick this highlight fabric.

How Much Fabric?
You do not need to buy only fat quarters [FQs], in fact, you should first look in your own stash for fabric. I've written this for fat quarters and regular quarter yards will work, too - see the CUTTING page for more information. But for those buying fabric:
 A: 10 FQs    B: 12 FQs    C: 4 FQs

If you are buying a single fabric for any A, B, C category you can buy standard quarter yards. In other words, for "A" you would buy 10-quarter yards = or 2.5 yds of fabric, for "B" 12 quarters = 3 yds of fabric and for "C" = 1 yard.  Remember, for "B" and "C" you will have a better look if you choose more than just one fabric - see the Fabric Ideas here. If you are making the smaller 38 inch x 38 inch version buy only a little over 1/4 the number of FQs shown [corrected quantities 2/26/00] (eg. A=3, B=3.5-4 and C=1)

Techniques
No special skills needed. You will need to know how to use a rotary cutter and have a mat and ruler which is at least 18-24" long. See this page for tips if you aren't experienced at rotary cutting. 

When you have your fabric ready:

GO to the  Cutting Instructions here.

Go to Sewing Squares Instruct here.

Fabric Ideas Page is here.

Fat Quarter Mystery Quilt designed by Susan C. Druding
copyright © 2000  - pattern is for personal use only. It is not to be reprinted for distribution in any manner, neither on paper nor electronically by email or on other Web sites. I'm happy to have it used by Quilt Guilds - please ask me for requirements for use in guild projects. Email quilting -at- equilters.com

  Susan
Susan Druding