Mystery in Black and White

Due to conflicting schedules, this is how my mystery quilt project has been languishing. This past weekend, I finally managed to get the rest of the clues. In truth, this project has been taking up two project boxes and I have new projects that want some of that project box real estate. I use the Iris 12" by 12" clear boxes for quilts, bags, and even yarn.

That meant I managed to get to work on this quilt. The directions for these blocks are written with the stitch and flip method of adding those corners. This is, in my opinion, one of the most wasteful ways of making blocks such as these. I think doing it this way wasted about 240 square inches of fabric. Yes, I know, there will always be waste. But I can do more than a little with that many square inches. using a tool such as the 6.5" Easy Angle Ruler would really be so much better and result in almost no waste. I know there are some "bonus triangle" lovers out there. If you really want them, you can have mine, because I'm not going to use them.

I pieced the 20 blocks I had set up.

I had cut plenty more squares and rectangles during my fit of cutting a few months ago. I didn't want to stitch and flip a bunch more units so I played around with the squares until I had an alternate block I liked.

That's how I ended up with my alternate blocks. This isn't the final layout, but you get the idea. Those two in the middle are pointing the other way on purpose.

I cut the setting triangles using some leftover backing fabric from another project. This is one of those things where you're told to cut the squares really big, then cut twice on the diagonal to get the right size setting triangles. This is another place where the 6.5" Easy Angle Ruler and the right size flying geese ruler (Amazon has failed me on this one) can save you some time. I cut a strip 6.5" wide and cut my goose units from it. That meant I could use much narrower fabric to cut the setting triangles. At some point, I'll sit still long enough to write it up as an actual tip. It's easy enough to do if you cut one the way the directions say, then use it make yourself a template.

I've assembled the center of the quilt. Now I just need to trim it and add a couple borders to make it bigger. I really like how it turned out. I may use this block in another project. If I do, I'll sort out how to cut the pieces with some of my fancy, modern tools and share that with you .

Keep any eye out for an update with the finished top. Let's hope this doesn't end up on next year's Get It Done UFO Challenge.

Tools (affiliate links):
Creative Grids 6.5" x 24.5" Rectangle
6.5" Easy Angle Ruler
Fiskars Rotary Cutter
Fiskars Self Healing Rotary Cutting Mat
BLACK+DECKER Vitessa Advanced Steam Iron
Grabbit Magnetic Pin Cushion
Fiskars 8-inch scissors
Juki TL-2010Q