If you are just now finding this from another link, the mystery is now finished. The pattern is now available in my Etsy Store. This pattern is also available for guilds to purchase as a mystery. The contract allows use in a mystery format. Email me for details at frommycarolinahome at gmail dot com.
From My Carolina Home 
I’m in! I’ve been looking for a way to use up my scraps and I haven’t done a mystery quilt in ages! Going down to my sewing room right now to get started. (I don’t live too far from you so if you look out the window you’ll know today is a quilting day in these mountains!)
Sounds like fun. I’m in! Lots of scraps to use up…….
Sounds interesting.
I sure will do the quilt along! I’m starting another BOM on Saturday that is a BIG quilt, so thank you for offering options. I’ll do the table top or lap quilt. 🙂
How much of the background fabric do we need to make the lap or twin size quilt?
Hi Loretta,
I think I figured this out right, the lap size should take about 1-1/4 yards. I made it up in lap size.
The twin size is calculating out at 4 yards, which seems like a lot. But taking the measurements, you can get sixteen 2-1/2 inch squares from one Width-Of-Fabric strip. You need 500, so 500/16 is 32 strips, times 2.5 inches is 80 inches. Plus for the 3-inch squares, 252/13 = 20 strips at 3 inches for 60 inches of fabric. 80 +60 = 140 / 36 = 3.88 yards. Looking at this now, the larger size might turn into a full size instead of a twin.
Thank you for asking!!
Carole
I’m in. Sounds like fun. I need to replace my machine first but I can cut everything.
Sounds like fun!
It looks like fun! I think I’ll give it a try.
You have piqued my interest…. But. I am going to the UK in 3 weeks time and I will be away the whole of April. That is really going to put me back some 😦
Wow….looking at the numbers of squares to cut made it seem daunting, but last night I dove in and while watching just 2 TV shows I ironed and cut up dozens and dozens of 2.5 and 3 inch squares….so the numbers don’t scare me any more. This sounds like load of fun and we have plenty of time to do this( and still take beach time when summer FINALLY arrives). Just getting into that pile of miscellaneous scraps and sorting was absolutely cleansing! I could not toss them but had no idea what to do w/ them. Thanks!
Count me in I have a scrap bin over flowing problem at the moment. So lets do something with them. I love a good mystery. The pace of this project should allow me to continue working on other projects. I am glad I pop in on your blog today. Just don’t tell my husband I am starting another new project he thinks I should finish the ones I am working on first. How boring. lol
I would love sew along but am up to my eyeballs in projects but I will definitely follow along! It looks like it will be a fun project!
I’m new and I am in! Love scrappy goodness!!
I’m in. I will need to buy the light color though. I dont have that in my stash.
i like to buy the focus color “in the now” so it is something I love when i go to use it. I am a scrap girl so i try to only buy what i need for specific quilts or to finish one up. 🙂
Your mystery quilt sounds like fun. I wish I had time to join in the fun. Thanks For sharing with Oh Scrap!
I actually have a bunch of HST left over from a project but they aren’t all with the same background so I guess that wouldn’t work. Love a good mystery especially when it’s a QAL too.
I’m in too! I’m up to my knees in scraps. Now, I’m not very tall but still …
Ha, since I collect 2.5″ squares from all my scraps as I go, I have plenty of those cut. I do my HST the extra 1/8″, too. It takes a little time to trim, but then each one is the perfect size, no bowing sides or dipped in spots. Then the blocks look so nice! I’m guessing if I want a baby quilt, I go in between table topper and lap quilt. I’m going to scrapify the backgrounds, too.
This looks like a fun idea. I’d like to think I can follow along and keep up! Thank you 🙂
OMG I have so many things started but also, have so much in the way of scraps. I think I have to do this. You know, in my spare time. I really need to win a million dollars so I can quit working and stay home and sew! I guess I better get busy!
Ready for the next step!
I’m in.sounds fun!
Sounds fun.I ‘d Love to play!
Sounds like fun!
I’m in! Will start cutting next week. I love mystery quilts!
Yes, I think I’ll join in, too! I’ll have to cut the 3″ scrappy squares, but have a lot of 2-12″ ones already. Maybe I’ll try using Triangles On A Roll with bigger scraps, to speed up the half-square-triangle construction. I’ve never done a mystery quilt, but yours sounded fun!
I think I got all my pieces cut out. I decided to try to do a size in between lap and twin…. I’m going to start the HSTs tomorrow and see how many I can get done in between FMQ-ing my other King-sized quilt! Can’t wait to see where this mystery goes! ruth
Just wondering if you posted Part 2? L
LOL, patience grasshopper. It is excruciating to wait, I know, but look for the Scrap Dance posts between the 9th and 12th of each month. It depends on the day the local quilt club meets and they meet the second Wednesday. Thanks so much for quilting along! I hope you’ll post a pic of your HSTs and scrap fabrics in the Flickr group.
Carole
I’m going to set your blog in my favorites, so I can check back in. I have so many projects I need/have to finish up right now, but I also have a boatload, or should I say shipload of scraps that need some loving. Thanks for the mystery QAL!
Thanks! I’d like to invite you to follow the blog, there are a number of ways to do that on the sidebar. I appreciate all my readers, no matter how they get here!
Hi Carole,
Sorry, I’m a bit thick, for the table topper, do I need to cut both 2.5inch squares as well as the 3inch ones?
Also, I’ve just noticed that there are 36 x2.5inch in the patterned fabrics and only 32 x2.5inch in the background fabric?
thanks in advance, Christine
Hi Christine, that’s right, the 3 inch squares are used to make the Half Square Triangles. Step one is making those HSTs and cutting the 2.5 inch squares. Yes, the number of background and scrappy 2.5 inch squares is not equal. Welcome to the quilt along, and let me know if you have any other questions.
I read this when I started and thought I would love to do it; but have so many projects on my plate. Well; just finished a top yesterday and made the backing. Have to get it basted and have one on the table already basted and waiting. MUST meet some deadlines, but then I need a good clean up. This project might help me get busy with that clean up. Any chance you plan to put these directions in a “document” or “PDF” file, so I can save & print out? Love the direction it is taking. One other question is about the “background fabric” . Will a “neutral – scrappy” work or should it be a consistant neutral? (all one fabric) (I’m a Bonnie Hunter follower & scrappy girl and just wondered if anything in the beige, cream, white that reads neutral is ok???)
I think it is going to look best with all the neutrals consistently the same, in other words several tone-on-tone whites will probably do fine, but a mix of white and cream may not look great in the final quilt.
Thanks Carole!! Inspired to get started. Baby quilt won’t take TOO much time, but might empty some of that basket. I do “save” my scraps in usable sizes for just this type project, but haven’t done a lot of clean up and storage for a while. I think I will post your button on my blog and link back to this project!
https://stitchinggrandma.wordpress.com sent me over. I’m going to try to squeeze this one into my busy life. Fortunately, I already half a lot of 2 1/2 inch scraps already cut into squares, and it doesn’t need to be finished till September, so hopefully, I won’t end up with yet another UFO. 🙂
I just read about this and I am in if I can join this late. I have lots of scrap fabric and can use a bit of therapeutic sewing.
I found this mid-April and have always wanted to do a mystery quilt. I’ve got everything in my stash, included a light background fabric, so I’m all set. I’m almost done with step 1; trying to be good and not look ahead!
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I am thrilled to have found your site to begin with, but today, when opening your post…I instantly was excited. I love scrap quilts and it has been quite awhile since I have participated in a mystery. Therefore, double the pleasure. I have quite a bit to catch up on…may have to have hubby helping to mark all of those half square triangles after I have picked out the scraps and main fabrics and so on. Thanks for sharing this project. Have a great day!
Goodness Gracious am I ever stoked and ready to go after reading your reply this evening. I started clapping and being silly and hubby is looking at me in that “What are you doing now” kind of way! I told him I was participating in a Scrap Mystery Quilt Along and had to go and pick out 80 dark 3″ squares and then choose a light fabric ……so on. He just smiled and said are you sure you want to do this. LOL. Of course I do!!! So, I am off to iron and cut all my light squares and get them all marked. I will try and take pictures and set up a flicker account asap. Again, thank you for having this! Have a Great night!
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thank you. I belong to Island Quilters in SC and some of us were doing this. Several finished and you have a picture of them, but I missed getting the last set of directions. I can’t wait to put it all together now!!! DaleSewing4Jesus
Carole, I ran across this mystery pattern on your blog. I’m looking for a mystery quilt to do with my guild for 2016, and wondering if I have your permission to use this pattern? Looking forward to hearing from you.
The pattern is available for purchase in my Craftsy and Etsy stores. I ask that one pattern be purchased for every 10 people in the mystery. Pattern sales support my blog costs, so I don’t have to do a bunch of ads. Thank you for asking!
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