“Spinning Attic Windows” or “Shades of Spring”
This Springtime Mystery Quilt is a fun project which goes together so very quickly. This pattern allows you to create TWO different quilts from one pattern!
For my Mystery Quilt patterns, I use my “Speedy Solutions Scrap Stash.” My book, (Speedy Solutions to Cut & Organize Your Scrap Stash) teaches my speedy techniques and has recently been updated to also include FIVE Speedy Solutions patterns. From now until April 8, 2020, if you’d like this book, email me at quiltingwithlori@gmail.com to get the details on how you can get this book with NO Shipping fees… (This updated book just came from the printer in February. It is $12.00 (introductory price), and I will send it to you with no shipping fees until April 8, 2020…just contact me!.) {Regular price $15 after April 8, 2020.]
Now, let’s get to the first step of the Mystery Quilt! As I put this quilt together, I realized there is more !hen one way to set the blocks, which results in two totally different-looking quilts from the SAME BLOCK! In fact, both Mystery Quilt patterns are made up of only ONE BLOCK. The magic is in how you “color” your block with fabrics (lights, mediums, dark’s) and in how you “set” each block within the quilt!
So, for this First Step of our Mystery Quilt, you will grab the correct quantity of squares from your Speedy Solutions Fabric Stash in specific values (light, medium, and dark) and in the correct size to prepare for sewing your blocks. Both of these quilts will be wall or lap quilts (measuring 58″ x 58″); however, you can simply double or quadruple the amount of blocks you create to make a larger quilt.
1. Spinning Attic Windows Layout:
For the Spinning Attic Windows layout of the Mystery Quilt, I chose to use a red, white and blue combination of scraps from my stash! The “red” is the Medium value, the White is the Light value, and the Blue is the Dark Value. As you choose fabrics from your stash, just keep those three values in mind… you might choose a variety of “pinks” from your stash to be your “medium” value; pale pinks & pale lavenders to be your light value; and purples to be your “dark” value. It’s as simple as that.
Also, keep in mind that the fabrics within each value do not have to be matchy-matchy! For instance, the “Red or Medium” value fabrics that I used include red fabrics that were red/orange , pinkish-red and burgundy-red. I’m using them ALL as my “Reds or Mediums” in the Spinning Attic quilt layout, and they work beautifully together!
Here is my assortment of fabric squares for my Spinning Attic Windows Mystery Quilt – Reds (mediums); Blues (Dark’s); and Wht/creams (Lights)
This pattern uses up lots of 4-1/2″ squares as well as some 5″ squares (for the HST’s). Here’s what you’ll want to pull from your stash (or cut from a variety of fat quarters):
Pull or Cut a quantity of: (32) 4.5″ Mediums; (32) 4.5″ Dark’s; (48) 4.5″ Lights
Also, pull or cut a quantity of: (8) 5″ Mediums; (8) 5″ Dark’s; (16) 5″ Lights (From these 5″ squares, you will make the HST’s needed for the quilt blocks.)
Once you’ve chosen your fabrics for these values in the Spinning Attic Windows Mystery, you’ll be ready for Step #2… coming up in just a few days!
However….don’t forget you have a second Mystery Quilt Option you’ll want to also try:
2. Shades of Spring Mystery Quilt Layout:
The block for this Mystery Quilt pattern gives you TWO options for layout! For the “Shades of Spring” Layout, you’ll find the necessary fabric information below. In my fabric stash, I had noticed some beautiful large-print pastel floral fabrics and decided I would use the four pastel prints …pink, blue, lavender and soft green…along with neutral lights for this layout
In order to create your Shades of Spring quilt, you will want to also locate four focus fabrics (like my four pastel floral’s) and a neutral fabric (for the light value). You’ll need to pull from your scrap stash (or cut from a variety of fat quarters) the following:
Focus Fabric One (which is my Pink floral): Pull or Cut (18) 4.5″ squares and (5) 5″ squares
Focus Fabric Two (which is my Green floral): Pull or Cut (16) 4.5″ squares and (4) 5″ squares
Focus Fabric Three (which is my Lavender floral): Pull or Cut (14) 4.5″ squares and (4) 5″ squares
Focus Fabric Four (which is my Blue floral): Pull or Cut (16) 4.5″ squares and (8) 5″ squares
From your neutral (lights) pull or cut (48) 4.5″ squares and (18) 5″ squares
Once you have your fabrics chosen (either pulled from your Scrap Stash, or cut from a variety of fat quarters), you’ll be ready for Step 2… watch my blog… that Step will go up on my website in about 2 days!!!
In the meantime, continue sewing the Face Masks that are so needed throughout the medical profession in your area! I’ve shared some great links for patterns to create face masks…check out my blog…
Happy Quilting!
Lori Dickman
