Mystery Quilt Along Details
It’s the end of November, and that means that it is almost time for the mystery quilt along to start. I’m pretty excited, and I’ve picked out my fabrics. Have you? Here is what you need to know.
How it Works and What You Will Need
Welcome to the first ever Create with Claudia Mystery Quilt Along. Since it is my first one, I am keeping it fairly simple and traditional, so it is good for beginners as well as more experienced quilters.
A new block will be published at the beginning of every month for the first eleven months of the year. The final month will be the quilt top assembly instructions. There will be multiples of the block needed for almost every month. Don’t worry though, the more that are needed, the easier they are to assemble.
Because some people like to look at patterns and some people like to use video tutorials, I’ll be giving you both. Each month I will be doing a blog post which will include the pattern. In addition, I will be uploading a video tutorial on my YouTube channel.
I’ll be sending out the tutorial to my email subscribers, so be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out on a month.
Also, if you would like, head over to facebook and join my facebook group that is just for this quilt along. You’ll be able to get the latest updates and see what other people are doing to!
Here’s what you need to know.
Finished Quilt Top Size
36″ X 36″
Fabric Requirements (Note that these estimates are generous)
- Various fabrics totaling approximately 3 ½ yards for the top. (*See note on fabric choices below)
- Backing – 1 ½ yards
- Binding fabric requirements depend on how you plan on binding.
*Note on fabric choices:
One of my favorite things about quilt alongs is to see all of the color combinations and fabrics that people come up with.
In the quilt I made for this quilt along, I chose to use the same background fabric (Fabric A in the monthly patterns) for all of the blocks. If you decide to do this, you will need about 2 yards total of the background fabric.
However, there are no rules for color choices. Just have fun with it.
Monthly Block Patterns
- January (Block 1)
- February (Block 2)
- March (Block 3)
- April (Block 4)
- May (Block 5)
- June (Block 6)
- July (Block 7)
- August (Block 8)
- September (Block 9)
- October (Block 10)
- November (Block 11)
My Fabric Pull
Here’s my fabric pull. The off-white with tiny green dots fabric is my choice for the background. I’m in love with these cheery colors!
These are all Moda fabrics that I bought from The Fat Quarter Shop, and include pieces from the following collections:
- Best Friends Forever by Stacy Iest Hsu
- Flower Sacks by Me and My Sister
- Sweet Harmony by American Jane
- Essential Dots
Other
You will need basic sewing and quilting supplies.
General Pattern Guidelines
Along with the month-specific instructions that will be provided for each block pattern, the following general guidelines will apply to all of them.
- Scant 1/4” seam allowance should be used
- Arrows indicate pressing directions
- Generous fabric requirements are given
- Cutting instructions provided are for all of the blocks in the given month
Be sure to share your progress on social media using the hashtag #createwithclaudiaqal so everyone can see your work!
Clue # 1
It is all about a lot of squares to get us started.
*This mystery quilt along is for entertainment purposes only. There are no prizes or giveaways.*
Best efforts have been made to ensure that the instructions are correct, however sometime errors occur.
48 Comments
Amanda
November 24, 2019 at 7:04 PMSo I have subscribed to you so does that put me in automatically for the quilt along.
createwithclaudia_7j76hs
November 25, 2019 at 5:08 AMThanks. You don’t have to subscribe to the email list to join in. The quilt along is open to anyone. The email is just a nice way to get the monthly reminder. I will be posting a new block each month and then the directions for putting it all together for the last post. I hope you enjoy the quilt along.
Chin Beley
December 4, 2019 at 3:46 PMI’d love to join the QAL and have subscribed to your newsletter as well 💜 looking forward to it!
createwithclaudia_7j76hs
December 4, 2019 at 7:56 PMGreat! I hope you enjoy it.
Kathy
December 5, 2019 at 2:58 AMMy first quilt along. So looking forward to doing this. Thank you.
createwithclaudia_7j76hs
December 5, 2019 at 4:50 AMMine too. Glad you are joining in and I hope you enjoy the quilt.
Mavis Skene
February 2, 2020 at 2:14 AMVery excited I’m a beginner and I’m disabled and 77. Never too old to learn. I live in Port Elizabeth South Africa. Must find January block now so I dont miss out.
Debbie
January 1, 2020 at 11:41 AMThis sounds fun! Would a scrappy approach be OK for this mystery? Scrappy is my favorite. I could use one color of scraps throughout (plus background) if that would work better than multi colors. Thank you for offering this.
createwithclaudia_7j76hs
January 1, 2020 at 3:13 PMI think scrappy would work with this pattern. I do use the same background fabric each month to help tie it together, but it’s completely up to you. Glad you will be participating!
Kay Clark
February 25, 2020 at 9:53 AMStarting late but will catch up.
Kaye Hunt
January 1, 2020 at 9:57 PMThis will also be my first quilt along. Looking forward to doing it. Thank you.
Laura
January 3, 2020 at 2:47 PMSo did I read that right that the finished size is 36” x 36”??
createwithclaudia_7j76hs
January 4, 2020 at 4:40 AMYes, it’s a wall hanging quilt.
Bonny Davidson
January 4, 2020 at 7:31 PMI am new to quilting in general. So, and I am excited to do this mystery quilt along. But do you only make 1 block of each different pattern for the quilt? So, by the end you have 11 blocks to put together for the top? Or do you make more than one of each?
createwithclaudia_7j76hs
January 5, 2020 at 8:52 PMGlad you will be participating! In January we make 8 blocks (all the same). Other months vary with the number of blocks. The January pattern has been posted so that will give you an idea of how it works.
Cassie
May 7, 2020 at 4:02 PMI’m going to try start your quilt along and get caught up this month. Thx, cassie
createwithclaudia_7j76hs
May 9, 2020 at 7:18 AMGreat. I’m glad you are joining in.
Washiela Ratcliffe
July 3, 2020 at 12:20 PMTrust me to be Miss-Tardy-to-the-Party – very late in fact … but I’m in! 💝
Love getting your emails, so I’m looking forward to quilting along with others. I’ll do my utmost to catch up.
Thanks Claudia 🌹
Washiela
createwithclaudia_7j76hs
July 4, 2020 at 6:49 AMThat’s terrific. I’m glad you are joining in and enjoy the emails. Thanks
Robin
January 11, 2020 at 4:03 PMExcited to do my first quilt along! Can’t wait to see what everyone else come up with. Thanks for doing this Claudia!
createwithclaudia_7j76hs
January 12, 2020 at 6:15 AMGlad you will be joining us!!
Adey How
January 11, 2020 at 8:41 PMHi there
Can I please be part of this mystery quilt?
I’m from the Adelaide Hills in South Australia.
Thanks Adey
createwithclaudia_7j76hs
January 12, 2020 at 6:15 AMHi Adelaide – There is no official sign up, just join in the fun. Here’s where you can find the first block https://www.createwithclaudia.com/2020/01/january-mystery-block-instructions/. There is a link on my home page as well. At the beginning of every month I will be posting the new block. I also have a facebook group which and Instagram which will have updates. If you would like, you can also sign up for my email list which will send out a link the the monthly block. Have fun and thanks for your interest!
sheila oxley
January 17, 2020 at 12:12 AMHi Claudia. I was wondering about the fabric requirements…. You say 3 1/2 total for the top and lower you mention doing all the same as the background and we would need 2 yrds…so if I use a solid background then I would only need another yard and a half for the top? I have a fat quarter bundle I’m thinking of using, but would need more if I need 3 1/2 plus 2 for the background. Thanks for dong this QAL, it looks like fun!
createwithclaudia_7j76hs
January 17, 2020 at 5:23 AMHi Sheila – The 2 yards is included in the 3 1/2 total. So, yes, you would only need another yard and a half for the top. Just a note though, I give very generous fabric requirements so you will probably have some left over. Glad you will be joining along! This is my first time hosting a quilt along so I hope it goes smoothly!
sheila oxley
January 17, 2020 at 5:35 PMThank you, I think the bundle I have will work perfectly! I’m glad I’m a part of your inaugural QAL!
Zoe' Poutoukalis
February 1, 2020 at 12:45 PMI’ve joined in the Quilt Along & I’m looking forward to learning & also having fun along the way. I’m eager to get started;
Warm Regards, Zoe’
from Tasmania, Australia
createwithclaudia_7j76hs
February 1, 2020 at 2:02 PMWelcome and glad you are joining in.
Deb Brooks
February 8, 2020 at 12:17 AMHi just joined a month late… but I can catch-up. So I like the idea of using the same back material as fabric A through out the mystery quilt. So my question is on the other fabrics needed…. so I was to collect fat quarters for the other fabrics in each block, should I get 11 different ones? That’s is where I am a little lost. Please advise!
createwithclaudia_7j76hs
February 8, 2020 at 5:44 AMGlad to have you joining! It’s really up to you on how many different fabrics to use. You can go from just making it a 2 color quilt to using lots of different ones. There are some months where the block has 2 fabrics and some where I use more. I like a scrappier look which is why I went with a larger variety of fabrics, but in all of my versions I use the same fabric as Fabric A every month. If you want to see what looks other folks are doing you can head over to my facebook group (create with claudia quilt along) or check out instagram (#createwithclaudiaqal). Good luck and I hope you have fun!
Rachel
February 8, 2020 at 12:53 PMHi Claudia,
I just joined the quilt along today (February 8th) and have only made one quilt before. What type of fabric is best for quilting? I have limited access to fabric stores, and can’t always find fat quarters.
Thank you! I am very excited to have found your web site and facebook page!
Rachel
createwithclaudia_7j76hs
February 8, 2020 at 8:01 PMWelcome. I find that 100% cotton quilting is best for quilting, especially when starting out. You don’t specifically have to have fat quarters, just enough fabrics to make the blocks for the quilt. Scraps will do, or larger pieces. Good luck!
Anneke Mentink
May 6, 2020 at 8:05 PMHow many blocks do i have to make of the block of te month, is one enough?
createwithclaudia_7j76hs
May 7, 2020 at 6:46 AMIt depends on the month. For example January has 8 blocks and March needs 2.
Kim
March 15, 2020 at 12:05 AMHi Claudia ,
It’s March and happy I found your YouTube video for the mystery quilt-a-long. Love both of your color choices. Looking forward to catching up! Ladies…. Happy Quilting!
Kim
Ohio, USA
createwithclaudia_7j76hs
March 15, 2020 at 7:24 AMGlad to have you joining in on the quilting fun!
Judy Fish
April 6, 2020 at 3:35 PMSort of scared and sort of excited to try this (I am such a perfectionist that I often talk myself out of even trying – thus my reason for not starting till now). Such a goof ball, I am. Nor do I need to start one more project, but I ma going to do it anyway.
createwithclaudia_7j76hs
April 7, 2020 at 9:14 PMHope you give it a try. Good Luck
Judy Fish
April 21, 2020 at 3:55 PMI’ve been putting notes in my quilting journal, planning to start – but only began yesterday. I keep second guessing myself on fabric choices, because I do not know what the finished quilt will look like. I don’t know how many different fabric choices to include so it doesn’t look lopsided or hodge podge. Because 8 blocks are made of one pattern and 2 of another, I question how much of a different fabric I should include. I know that I am overthinking this, but….
createwithclaudia_7j76hs
April 21, 2020 at 8:36 PMI think one thing that may help is using the same fabric every month for Fabric A, the background. That is my white with green dots fabric in the articles and you’ll see it every month. You may want to see what other folks are doing as well. If you are in Instagram look up the hashtag #createwithclaudiaqal or you can also look on facebook at my group Create with Claudia Quilt Along. There are lots of ideas for the months. And some people lay out all of the months they have done together so you can get an idea of what different combos look like.
Anneke Mentink
May 6, 2020 at 8:08 PMDo i have to prewash the fabric before cutting
createwithclaudia_7j76hs
May 7, 2020 at 6:47 AMPrewashing is up to the individual quilter I like to prewash, but many folks don’t.
Barbara
May 17, 2020 at 1:14 PMFantastic, this is my first quilt along and I’m hoping as a beginner quilter I can stumble through. I’m so happy I came across your quilt along in YouTube.
createwithclaudia_7j76hs
May 18, 2020 at 5:39 AMThat’s great! I hope you enjoy it. I’m sure you will do well.
Althea
August 1, 2020 at 10:28 AMFabric Question – I what to use the same background fabric for each block, as you did with your white/green polka dots, so my question is this…how many yards of the white/green polka dots did you purchase? 1 yard? 1-1/2 yards? Less/more? For all the other block fabrics I will use what I have in my stash.
Thank yoiu for this fun quilt-along.
createwithclaudia_7j76hs
August 2, 2020 at 6:52 AMHi – 2 yards is what I suggest for the background fabric. It’s a generous estimate, but I like having lots of extra fabric. Glad you are joining in. I hope you have fun!
Linda L Henderson
September 1, 2020 at 10:51 PMI am a little confused about the September 2020 block. Should I use a quarter inch seam of a scant quarter inch seam like all the others?
createwithclaudia_7j76hs
September 2, 2020 at 5:16 AMOops, I must have changed the wording. I’ll have to check on that. Use the scant seam allowance if you have been using that all along. You just want to be consistent throughout the quilt. Thanks.