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Quilting Questions

Just suppose I came up with a design I like more than any I’ve done in a long, long time.  I’m not saying I did but just suppose that’s the case.  It’s not going to happen any time soon . . probably til at least June or July or maybe even August or September.  But, would you prefer to do a mystery where you don’t have a clue what it’s going to look like . . do you trust me that much?  Or, do you prefer a Quilt-Along where you know what the outcome is going to be before you start?

And, do you prefer to have big steps that take a long time and get them done quickly . . say in 5 – 8 weeks or do you prefer to leisurely work on it, along with other projects probably, and take months to finish it.  I’m thinking that no one has to do it in the increments I give so for those who want to finish quickly, they would work hard and get it done and for those who prefer the leisurely route, they could take their time.  Of course, if it’s a mystery, pictures are going to start showing up.

The time frame isn’t going to suit everyone but I try my best to make as many happy as possible.

And, if I did up a few kits, would anyone be interested in those?  I would only do a few in different colorways and it would be either Andover Dimples, Michael Miller Krystal or Hoffman 1895 Bali Hand-Dyes.  The kits would be totally tone on tone fabrics.  You surely wouldn’t have to buy a kit from me and by saying you “might” be interested is not a commitment that you would buy anything . . you’re just saying . . maybe!

Thoughts are spinning while I’m unpacking more boxes.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sounds like fun. Mysterys are always fun. Sounds like some great kits. I love hand-dyed fabric. I’d be interested! 🙂

  3. I love the idea! I’d prefer to see it up front – my track history with colour/fabric choices for mysteries is not stellar.

  4. I’ve always been afraid of mysteries, but it would be fun to try one — and you’re someone I would trust enough to do it. I’d prefer having the option to get it done quickly knowing that it may not happen. I wouldn’t buy a kit and would hope to find a good part of what I need in my stash.

  5. I lose motivation on long projects, that say take a year to get the whole pattern. Rather in a few weeks at best.
    No kits here, I have too much fabric as it is which I think is your case now that the unpacking has begun. Might that fabric storage needed to be bigger??? Maybe a set of shelves in the sewing room itself??? Just thoughts.
    Hugs!!!!

  6. I trust you on a mystery – faster pace is good so I can watch along and then tackle it after at a slower pace. And did you say “dimples” – I adore dimples so a kit is a definite possibility!!!

  7. Mystery!!! I have never done a mystery quilt but have always wanted to do one! Short time frame and maybe I can actually stay with it and complete it. You know how ADD can set in with we quilters (and farmers lol). Kits are awesome! Although I have tons of fabric, I would likely get a kit from you anyway. Another idea would be to post photos of the fabrics you are putting in the kits. It would give the others a good idea of what to use so they are not “in the dark” when it comes to trying to figure out what to use by just a description.

    Can’t wait, lady!

  8. See it up front, fairly quick pace.

    I may be interested in a kit, love dimples and other Blenders. really it would come down to price and size of quilt. I have a standing rule not to go over $100. For a twin and $125 for a queen. So if I did buy you would probably not make anything on the kit.

  9. I LOVE a mystery and trust you completely. I would be interested in ordering a kit. And would love to have weekly installments. I will try not to get too excited!

  10. I like to see the quilt I’m making, mysteries scare me–sorry. And I do have several quilts going say a block a months or section a month and I enjoy the pace. If everything is there, I can sneak in an extra block sometimes. No kits, too much fabrics an too many kits waiting for me–I know I will die before they are all finished as I’m easily influenced and don’t know my limits

  11. I like to see ahead to see how well I like the pattern and how I might change it to suit my needs (for example add more blocks or change the size of borders to make it fit a bed). I might like to change the coloring a little too so that I could use the fabric that I already have.

  12. I would need to see it first – have really limited time and would need to know if it was a good fit for me. I would progress slowly, and might be interested in a kit. Thanks for asking us!

  13. i’d prefer to be able to see it. mysteries are too scary for me.
    i’m a leisurely kinda quilter….lots of things going at the same time.
    i’ll be honest and say that i should probably use some of my ridiculous stash, but if it were a kit i LOVED, i’d buy one. that’s how i accumulated the bloody stash in the first place.

  14. I’m in…any way you do it is fine with me (good thing i don’t have to be the tie vote…I’m too easy!) and I’d love a chance to use up some fabric that’s having a birthday. Heck…it’s old enough to vote!

  15. I have not had much success with mysteries….. My favorite format is the hour a day quilt…….. Every one of your projects I have participated in have been a mega success………. I also like time to get my fabrics together. Sometimes I have to budget for the fabric so I need to know a few weeks ahead of time what might be needed…………

  16. Prefer to see it but have done mysteries too. Leisurerly pace is better for me. Kit…maybe even though I have a big stash. I’m always afraid with kits I won’t have enough if I have a miscut. I’d rather pay a little more and be comfortable with a little extra fabric. I can always use the scraps in scrappy quilts. Haven’t seen many of your quilts that I didn’t like!

  17. I’ve done a couple of mysteries and loved the results. Batik kits are ALWAYS welcome! LOL!

  19. If it’s a mystery I’d like it quick, because I no longer start a quilt without knowing where it’s going.
    I love T-O-T’s, especially the 1895 Handpaints. When I got your new book, I decided I wanted to work through the book, so I’m sure I’d like this one.

  20. I’d prefer to see it ahead of time for many of the same reasons already mentioned. I have so much fabric that I have even been having CRAZY thoughts lately that I should just go to a guild meeting with a big box of it and GIVE it away…..so I doubt I’d buy a kit.

  21. I have never done a mystery, but I am willing to try one. I am okay with any pace, mystery, or quilt along, and I am interested in a kit. I am not creative at all, and kits, patterns, and color suggestions are always appreciated.

  22. I personally prefer a Quilt-a-long, where I know what the final quilt will look like. It is easier to choose fabrics that will look good in the pattern. And, I have done a couple mysteries that, even though I had enjoyed doing the mystery steps, when I look back, I say “gee, if I had known what it would look like, I wouldn’t have spent the time (and money) to make it” Not sure whether I would buy a kit or not, sometimes I do, sometimes not. LOL That’s not much help there!

  24. I’ve never bought a kit, but I would love to try one. I’m not good at picking out fabric and it would solve the problem for me. I would prefer to have some idea of what I’m making rather than a complete mystery.

  25. Mystery! I approached my first mystery with dread…did NOT like the out-of-control feeling!! But it turned out well, and now I approach a mystery as a time to loosen up and play. I prefer a faster pace. Probably wouldn’t buy a kit, unless the colors really reached out and grabbed…bright! Can’t wait to see where you take this!!

  27. Judy ~ This is exciting!! A mystery with you would be great!! I think all your quilt designs are wonderful so I would trust you to come up with a great design for a mystery quilt. I wouldn’t want you to stretch out the clues for months & months but I assume that clues would be offered online so some could work at a slower pace if need be. I have not made a quilt entirely of tone on tone fabrics so I would like that challenge/experience & possibly would be interested in a kit! Thanx!
    Penny in So CA

  28. I have just finished my first mystery quilt at a class here in Australia – and would love to do another – I’m with most of the others – I have way too much fabric here to buy a kit at the moment and am scared of miscutting and running out of fabric. I think quick would be great!

  29. I prefer to see it ahead of time, what if I pick AWFUL fabrics for the wrong sections! then I cant proudly say it is a pattern of Judys! I would have to hide it-lol. Of course anything Judy does is right on, but me choosing fabrics sight unseen could lead to a mess.

  30. I like the idea of a mystery, I really would like to try one. I would probably be interested in a kit, I don’t really have much of a stash of fabric, so that would be useful to me. But I know everyone is different. 🙂

  31. I haven’t done a mystery yet, mostly because I often want to change colors in a quilt to better match my stash and/or taste. But I would be more inclined to try one if the initial description came with several color way suggestions (you said “different color ways” in the kit description.)

    I’d rather use the fabric from my stash. Faster would be better than slower.

  33. Love mystery quilts that take a long time. I can actually keep up then. I love having a surprise to look forward to, and have completed several successful mysteries. In viewing finished mystery quilts, it seems that the most successful quilts result when the maker was careful in choosing her fabrics by sticking to the guidelines given in the instructions.

  34. I’m the type who needs to see the pattern before I want to make it, so have never done a mystery quilt. Got a huge stash, so probably wouldn’t need a kit, but that could change. My preference would be medium speed, but if you go fast, I can always catch up later. Love ALL your quilts and enthusiastic posts on things you do. Looking forward to joining in on this!

  35. I like the idea of a mystery as you have some great patterns. However, I also like to see what fabrics would be in the kit to decide whether or not to buy it or try to come up with fabric from my stash. The only mystery that worked for me was the one where the colors were “think dark like navy, a print that had navy in it, a very light but not white and another color from the print in a medium.” I actually liked my choices as they worked. I did not use navy, but a dark green. Quick or slow doesn’t matter.

  36. Mystery would be fun…never have done one.
    Leisurely so I can fit it in with other projects that I have going.
    No kit…I am way into Civil War Reproduction fabric right now so I would use from my stash.
    Can’t wait…Thanks!

  38. I’ve also had bad luck with mysteries and my color choices. Of course, you could always put a picture of the quilt somewhere on your site so those who want a mystery don’t peek in advance and others that would prefer to do advance planning could do so. That way, people who want to do adjustments for different sizes can figure that out on their own.

  39. I have done mysteries and they are fun but I prefer quilt-alongs. I would prefer the steps done quickly otherwise I might get stalled and have another UFO. I have a huge stash but that would not stop me from buying a kit, especially if the kit was Andover dimples in a colorway that I liked.

    Grace

  41. A mystery would be fun – but could you give us examples of fabric combinations. Like someone else said before, I have not always been good about picking out fabric when I haven’t seen the pattern. A kit would be good – if I can afford it. It all sounds like fun.

  42. I like mysteries and have completed 2 now. One through Quilter’s Club of America and one through Bonny Hunter and enjoyed both. Both were done in 6 wks which is an okay time frame but in reading the above comments I noticed that there both sides of the fence. One way to counter this is to have a page on your site that has all the clues posted in PDF form. Then when we have finished a step then we could come back for the next one.

  43. Judy… I just LLLlloooved it when you had us do the mystery “Bears in the Farmhouse” kind of all together, but slow enough that most everybody could keep up! That was my first Mystery Quilt, my first on-line group quilt, and, shoot… one of the first quilts I finished! Possibly I finished because of peer pressure that I would be embarrassed if I didn’t make the posting deadline when all my new friends would be looking at each other’s progress… and I wanted to be sure mine was done, too!
    My stash is now so out of hand that I will not be buying any more fabric for at least this year, and possibly the next! A kit would not be in my future… but a Mystery would.

  44. I would want to see the quilt ahead of time to be sure I liked it before I spend time and resources on anything any more. Don’t care about the time frame. Probably not interested in the kit altho it could be a possibility if the fabric really grabbed me.

    Not to cause any problems but I would like the possibility of doing a different size by subtracting blocks, rows or making a block smaller/larger if yours is a king or queen size. I make almost everything for donation so don’t do anything larger than a twin size usually.

    You did ask what we would like. LOL

  45. However you want to do it will please some and not others. I would be more apt to play if I knew what it looked like up front, and I would use my own fabrics. Either way, the offer is very generous.

  46. I LOVE MYSTERY QUILTS!! I’d be interested in a batik kit…and any of you scardy cats…how can you go wrong if you get the kit from Judy? I’m there what ever way you decide to go…slow or fast!

  47. I would love to do a mystery quilt with you, and I find the timing doesn’t really matter as I just go at my own pace anyway and that doesn’t bother me.
    You named all 3 of my favorite fabrics, dimples, watercolors and batiks so I think that’s a great start.

  48. I have never completed a mystery quilt, but would like to try one again. I think if you gave a few examples of possible color combinations, that would make it easier for participants to choose their own group of fabrics. I think fairly quick would be better than lasting several months. Some people will be able to keep up, and the rest can work at their own pace.

  49. Speaking just for me, I never do mysteries but I’ve done two of your Quilt in an Hour projects and while I made a few modifications along the way, loved both projects.

  50. A mystery means that you have to follow the lead of the instructor. Seeing your fabric choices for the different yardages needed helps to get a feel if the fabric should be more plain or what. You’ve listed what you would use – without without creating kits. Many want to do their own fabric selections. I just like a mystery that’s really a mystery.
    I’m game.

  52. I LOVE BOMs…and I LOVE mysteries, but I’ve been burned a few too many times lately with the mystery ones…I think you would do a great job with it and I totally trust you, I guess I just jumped on board with a few too many lately and then got into it and I didn’t like it. What I would love…is a sneak peak of maybe one or two blocks with the fabrics shown so I could either get a kit or choose my own fabrics and know that they are going to work. I’m probably asking too much here, but that would be my wish!! 🙂

  53. I LOVE mysteries! Your patterns are always fabulous so I trust you completely! I’m not afraid of a lot of time spent on each step and I really like a mystery to go quickly so I don’t lose momentum. Can’t wait!!!

  54. I love mysteries but a quilt a long is also fun. I’ve done two of your patterns and both were wonderful. So I’m game whatever I’ll go it. As far as the fabrics I have a closet full of my own that is waiting to be used up. Shirley

  55. I totally trust you!! haven’t seen a bad quilt in the bunch 🙂 I love Mystery Quilts. I just did one for my Guild. I do the newsletter so I published it in there….then I got tons (well that might be a slight exaggeration) of people asking me for the next clue….so I did 2 a month…It was only a 6 clue mystery…so we did it in 3 months. They turned out great!! So a fast mystery is what I vote for. TIA for the quilt whichever way you decide to do it!!

  56. Oh yes you can count me in I would prefer quilt along but mystery would be ok too . I too am ADD so fast pace would be better but hey I am flexible too 🙂 I would be interested in a kit if it wasn’t too expensive.

  57. I’m happy with what ever you suggest. I love the quilt for an hour a day and quilt along, but also happy to go along with a mystery.
    Would you be willing to send fabric kits to England? I would love that.

  61. i would like to see the pattern up front, and would probably pull fabric from my stash, and work in bi-weekly installments.
    However the idea of selling your stash is a great idea. not necessarily in kits, but by the yard, an assorted jelly roll of fabrics, a group of 10 inch squares, or by the fat quarter pack would be a great way to slim your stash, if you are willing to part with it.
    Since so many of us have drooled (figuratively) over your stash accumulation, the opportunity to have some would be tempting indeed.

  62. I would like to know what I’m getting into from the start. It helps me choose fabrics (so I don’t have things that look like bats when I’m done – the last mystery quilt I did had that happen! (not yours)) and gets me more excited about the project. As for pace, if you keep it going fast, I’m more likely to finish – waiting too long between steps, I get busy with other stuff and lose momentum. But whatever you do, I’ll definitely be considering participating because you design such beautiful quilts and write such great directions.

  63. Either pathway is fun. Since I don’t have a lot of time in any one week, I prefer smaller chuncks spread out over several months. I like mystery quilts too, but will only do them if there is good detail about how the fabrics need to relate to each other so I can make good choices from my stash. (The recent McCall’s three part mystery quilt was one where that was done well. They were pretty specific about what needed to look good next to which fabric and gave several sets of examples).

  64. Sounds like there are lots of people on both sides. I would like a mystery quilt, and it is easier if you have a kit.

  65. I love a true mystery quilt. for me, a clue no more often than once every 2 weeks works well…

  66. I love the whole idea! And I would be one of those that prefer the kit. I am not always good at picking my colors. So to have someone else pick out what I need works for me. And if I get the directions and kit, I could take my time at working on the quilt.

  67. I love a mystery! Short easy to complete steps is my preference. I probably wouldn’t buy a kit as I have far to much stash already.

  68. I prefer a non mystery. I prefer quicker than slower. I probably wouldn’t want a kit. After saying all of that, everything can change at a moments notice. If I wake up feeling adventurous I will do a mystery. Since I am in the habit of looking at your blog at least once a day I probably wouldn’t lose my momentum so much on a slower project as I would normally. If I saw your fabrics and absolutely loved them, I may want to try a kit.
    Basically, I’m pretty wishy washy! 🙂

  69. I would like to see the patten up front and do a quilt along. I don’t like to commit so much fabric/cost until I have an idea how it will turn out. And I like the slower format so I have the fun of staying with the group. Life is very busy and I can’t always quilt on a daily schedule. I like to buy fabrics for each quilt and don’t have a big stash so would consider buying a kit. Tone-on tone is my favorite way to work!

  70. I’m currently doing a Block a Month project and even then I get behind so a slower pace is probably better for me. I’ve done one mystery project and it turned out well but that might be beginners luck. I don’t mind seeing a pattern before I make it and then, depending on the pattern, I might purchase a kit because color choices are my personal challenge. I’m a beginner quilter but I’m learning to go for contrast rather than coordination.

  71. The problem I find with mysteries is that you have nothing to base your colour choices on, makes me dither with no clear information on which to make choices. I’ve only done one mystery and that was with Andrea on EQ with the kaleidoscope project, I did not finish, …… yet. I know your style and would trust you on that score, perhaps a kit would take the dither out of it for me. But then again it would just be sewing and not my creation. I seem to be talking myself out of this as I type!

  72. I do not do mystery quilts! I like to see what the result looks like!!! And I like to work at my own pace.

  73. I love doing mystery quilts from designers I love. You’re one of them, so I’d love a mystery. However, if you decide to do it in another format, I’ll probably join in (unless it’s going to take a year).
    As for a kit – sorry, but I’ve got a stash to use up!
    Gail

  74. I think the idea of an 8 week quilt a long sounds appealing. Two months is not too leisurely, but also not so speedy either. I have sooo much stash, I don’t think I would be interested in a kit though. I can’t wait!

  75. I think I’d prefer knowing ahead of time what the project looks like, so I’d be sure to pick out my fabrics correctly for my own taste. Length of time is fine either way, because I generally am just saving the patterns right now, rather than making them as they are presented. Too many other irons in the fire, so to speak…. The fabric lines you’ve mentioned for possible kitting sound devine, so I might be tempted to purchase a kit, if the price was right.

  77. I like to see it ahead of time – for reasons already written.

    I probably won’t participate – dd is getting married in Aug and I need to sew her veil, my dress, and a quilt for a wedding present. Plus a baby quilt for someone else who’s due in Sept.

  78. Well Ive had a good expereice with a mystery quilt (very simple 3 fabrics) and a bad one, (a national teacher who did a bad job explaining what was needed and the colors so most of the class brought and precut the wrong fabrics. Many unhappy people there!). So I guess I prefer to see it first. I dont like alot of colors, have a pallet I prefer and since I have very limited time to quilt want to know Im going to like the end result.
    Your patterns are always super, but the colors are not my cup of tea so Id want to make exchanges. Either way knowing how busy I am at the moment Id probably collect the steps and get to it later so do it how you want.
    Will be beautiful Im sure!

  79. Would love to do a Mystery quilt with you. I just love mysteries. Do in a shorter time would be best for me.

  80. Would love to do a Mystery with you. I prefer my own fabric since I have such a big stash. A shorter time span also works best .

  81. A Mystery is a mystery. Seeing it ahead of time is like reading the last page of a novel before you begin to read it What fun is that ? I vote for a true mystery quilt. Nothing ventured. Nothing gained.

  82. This sounds like fun! I’ve never done a mystery or a quilt a long so either is fine. I think my skills have improved enough that I can now try something like this. I like the kit option, picking fabrics is still a stressful part of quilting. I’m looking forward to working on this com Fall. Thanks for all the work you are willing to do in order for this to happen.

  84. How about having a black and white (greyscale) image of the mystery/quilt along project available for those who need a peek, and then the big reveal at the end showing the colors and fabrics you used. I’ve done a couple Mystery quilts, but I’m guilty on more than one occasion of waiting until all the clues were given and then seeing the result before starting to make sure it’s a project I wanted to invest all that time in. I’m blessed to live in an area with easy access to fabric stores and quilt shops, so I wouldn’t need a kit. Stretch the steps out so they take only an hour or so a week. Life gets busy!

  85. I’m not really fond of mysteries…..prefer to see it up front. And I like the idea of seeing the fabrics you are using and choosing something from my stash that is similar. Looking forward to seeing your new ideas. Thanks Judy.

  86. I vote mystery and a 6-8 week time frame. I am working hard to use up my stash so no kit for me. Thanks Judy, it sounds like fun and I am excited to try a pieced border!

  87. Just got to the internet – been very busy the last few days. But count me in for whatever the guidelines. I’m game for mystery – you just let me know when & where. Looking forward to this.

  88. Hello Judy, I think I would prefer to know what we are doing. It is easier when you have to choose colours to know where they will be.

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