Mystery Quilting - Clue #1

Bonnie Hunter over at Quiltville hosts a mystery quilt every year.  Last year was Celtic Solstice, a mystery I didn't know about until after the big reveal.  This year is the Grand Illusion.  Go to Bonnie's post to learn more about this fun quilt mystery.

In her introductory post Bonnie talks about why she picked the colors she picked.  Unfortunately, they didn't speak to me.  This isn't a real surprise.  I often go my own way in picking fabrics.  I figure this is just my own creative nature stepping in to say what I like.  

I decided to go with a collection of colors that did speak to me when I was picking up paint chips for fabric selection.  What?  What does this have to do with paint chips?  Well, go check out my post about how they can be helpful.

I shopped for these colors during the Quilters Quest.  I really like the colors and how they work together.  I can only hope that holds true once the quilt is done.  This is a real risk with a mystery quilt.  I fall in love with every quilt I've ever made so I'm willing to take the chance.  

Step one was to cut and piece 280 half-square triangle blocks.  Easy!  This was the first time I've used the Easy Angle ruler by Sharon Hultgren.  It wasn't difficult to learn to use, it made the cuts simple and I think it really made a difference in the quality of my finished HST blocks.  I did have a few rejects, but only four or five.  Not a bad failure rate.  This tool is readily available online, at quilt shops and chain fabric stores. 

My Tucker Trimmer got a good work-out, too.  While the point is to make the block right the first time, I'm totally behind the process of trimming the block down to the right size for the sake of accuracy.  I did have less waste with this method than with other methods.  The Tucker Trimmer is still my favorite trim-up tool.

I managed to finish up all 280 HST blocks and cut my solid squares to join with them.  I've only sewn up a couple of the blocks at this point.  I'll fit in the piecing during the week.  I don't know if I'll have all 100 broken dishes blocks finished by Friday, but I know I'll at least have them all cut and ready.

Linking up with Quiltville's Link Party.  Follow the link to go see what others are doing.