A MYSTERY IN THE MAKING: CLUE #5

A MYSTERY IN THE MAKING:
CLUE #5

PIECEMAKERS GUILD 2013/2014 MYSTERY QUILT

A mystery quilt in 5 installments

Finished small Quilt 57” sq. with borders

Small quilt without borders 45 ½” sq.

Larger quilt, 64 ½” sq. without borders)

Thank you for participating in this mystery. I hope it will be fun, easy, and educational.  Beginners should be comfortable working on it.  Quilting Newbie’s may need a little help.  If you understand how to sew a quarter inch, and a scant quarter inch you should do fine.  If you have just found this clue and need the introduction to this mystery you can find it here:
 

Introduction:  http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/07/a-mystery-in-making.html
Clue 1:  http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/10/a-mystery-in-making-clue-1.html
Clue 2:  http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/11/a-mystery-in-making-clue-2.html
Clue 3:  http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2014/01/a-mystery-in-making-clue-3.html

Clue 4:  http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2014/02/a-mystery-in-making-clue-4.html 

CLUE FIVE

TOP ASSEMBLY AND BORDERS

 This is the moment you decide whether you are going to make the larger quilt or stop here and border your blocks.   Join your blocks, and then make your decision.  The following diagrams are how to assemble your units.

You have 4 groups of pre-made units. There will be a back slash or a forward slash behind each Unit's number.  This is the direction you should place your blocks.  (The units with a diagonal design on them)

ROW ONE AND ROW FIVE (Make 2)

                    4/        3/        1        3\       4\

ROW TWO AND ROW FOUR (Make 2)

                   3/         1        2         1       3\ 

ROW THREE (Make One)

                    1        2         1         2       1

When you finish making each row you will be ready to arrange the rows into your top.

The rows 5 and 4 are turned upside down.  When you lay out your rows you will see a definite on-point setting. 

Now you can decide if you want to add the generic borders or if you would like to do another round of 9" blocks.  The blocks will be more of the Units you have already made.  They will form another on-point perimeter. 

             

INNER BORDER

 For your inner border you will need the “C” Fabric.  It is the fabric I mentioned you might wait till the quilt top is assembled to choose.  Remember borders are frames. 
You want to highlight your work.   This is a pizazz moment. 
It may be a small area but it can do a lot for the quilt.

FABRIC “C”: cut (5) 2 inch X WOF strips for your inner border 

NOTE: When measuring for the length of your border strip, measure through the middle of your quilt top.  Do not measure each end of the quilt top.  This will help your quilt to stay squared. It will make the ends the same measurement as the middle.  

When I sew the strips to the opposite ends of the quilt top I pin!  I pin each end of the strip to the top.  Then I pin in the middle.  Then I lay it out on a flat surface and see if the strip is running short with the top having too much fabric for the strip.  If there is too much fabric in the top to fit the strip, find the center of each section of the top and the center of each section of the strip.  I pin these centers together. Attach the border strip to the top with the top on the bottom.  The feed dogs help ease the fabric in.

If it is the border strip which is too generous, then sew with the strip next to the feed dogs.  It will ease the excess in. (don't forget to pin and distribute the fullness evenly.

After you have attached the border strips on both ends of the top it is time to press.  Press the border strips away from the body of the quilt. (BTW, set your seam before you press your strip back.  It relaxes the stitches and takes out any puckering.)

It is time to measure again.  You want to measure across the middle again.  You will have the strips on this measurement.  You can not just add 3 ½ inches to your total.  (It may come out to that but you can’t trust it unless you measure it.)    Everyone’s ¼ inch can vary.    You use the same procedure you used to attach the strips on either end of the top.  Please don’t forget to press. (If you don't press your measurements may be off because the top does not lie flat.) 

HINT:  If your top is longer than a WOF strip and you need to add length to it you might want to consider mitering when you join the two strips.  In my opinion a mitered strip’s joint shows up less on the strip.

OUTER BORDER

FABRIC “A”:  Use the (6) 5” WOF Strips you cut in “Clue #1.”

You follow the same measuring and cutting rules that were discussed in the inner border instructions.

Thank you for participating in this mystery.  It has been a pleasure to plant the clues for you.

other blog sites by me:

http://glosgarden.blogspot.com/

Where I have stories of my cats and other pets

a blog about my courtship with my husband,

and a blog about my most embarrassing moment.

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http://organicinstlouis.blogspot.com/

blogs about the wildflowers on our farm
Organic methods we use, some cooking and some poetry,

blogs about Seed sprouting, insects, and garden pictures

Blog about an endangered beneficial beetle

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