Brown Bag Mystery Quilt

I enjoyed piecing the Brown Bag Mystery Quilt so much that I pulled another version from my collection. I picked up these winter prints a few months ago without a plan. This was a great way to use them. I played with fabric placements a little and I think I used one less print than the original. Once I find some borders it will be perfect. 

If it wasn't a basic square, I cut the pieces using my Accuquilt Go cutter. If it was a square, I used my Creative Grids Stripology XL Ruler to cut.

My favorite tools and supplies (affiliate links):

Creative Grids 6.5" x 24.5" Rectangle Fiskars Rotary Cutter

Creative Grids 4.5" x 12.5" Rectangle Quilting Ruler

Fiskars Rotary Cutter replacement blades
Fiskars Self Healing Rotary Cutting Mat
BLACK+DECKER Classic Steam Iron
Fiskars 8-inch scissors

Juki TL-2010Q

Grabbit Magnetic Pin Cushion

Dritz Craft Pins, 1-3/4-Inch (250-Count)

Electric Quilt

Project box: IRIS 12" x 12" Portable Plastic Storage Cases with Built-in Handle, Clear (storage)

Letter Openers

Fiskars Rotating Cutting Mat 14 inch x 14 inch

Creative Grids Stripology XL Ruler

Brown Bag Mystery Quilt

This year I picked my Brown Bag Mystery Quilt based on a single purple print. I had no idea what other fabrics were inside that brown bag or what the quilt design was going to be. I enjoyed this one so much I pulled a set of coordinating fabrics from my collection and got cutting. I still need to sew this one together and find some borders. I cut most of these units using my Accuquilt Go cutter.

I picked up my BBMQ from my local shop The Crabby Quilter in Annapolis, Maryland. If you want to check out the mystery quilt, you can go to any of the many participating quilt shops and ask to see their Brown Bag kits. 

My favorite tools and supplies (affiliate links):

Creative Grids 6.5" x 24.5" Rectangle Fiskars Rotary Cutter

Creative Grids 4.5" x 12.5" Rectangle Quilting Ruler

Fiskars Rotary Cutter replacement blades
Fiskars Self Healing Rotary Cutting Mat
BLACK+DECKER Classic Steam Iron
Fiskars 8-inch scissors

Juki TL-2010Q

Grabbit Magnetic Pin Cushion

Dritz Craft Pins, 1-3/4-Inch (250-Count)

Electric Quilt

Project box: IRIS 12" x 12" Portable Plastic Storage Cases with Built-in Handle, Clear (storage)

Letter Openers

Fiskars Rotating Cutting Mat 14 inch x 14 inch

Creative Grids Stripology XL Ruler

Brown Bag Mystery Quilt

I finally loaded this great quilt onto the frame. 

While it was quilting, I made the binding. 

I used Overlapping Crop Circles for the quilting design. Look at that lounging kitty!

It's trimmed and ready for the binding.

Check out my previous BBMQ's.

    Piece of Cake (2024)

    Timeshare (2023)

My favorite tools and supplies (affiliate links):

Creative Grids 6.5" x 24.5" Rectangle Fiskars Rotary Cutter

Creative Grids 4.5" x 12.5" Rectangle Quilting Ruler

Fiskars Rotary Cutter replacement blades
Fiskars Self Healing Rotary Cutting Mat
BLACK+DECKER Classic Steam Iron
Fiskars 8-inch scissors

Juki TL-2010Q

Grabbit Magnetic Pin Cushion

Dritz Craft Pins, 1-3/4-Inch (250-Count)

Electric Quilt

Project box: IRIS 12" x 12" Portable Plastic Storage Cases with Built-in Handle, Clear (storage)

Letter Openers

Fiskars Rotating Cutting Mat 14 inch x 14 inch

Creative Grids Stripology XL Ruler

Brown Bag Mystery Quilt

I finished the center of my BBMQ.

And even managed to add a border. Now I need to go shopping for some backing fabric. 

Check out my previous BBMQ's.

    Piece of Cake (2024)

    Timeshare (2023)

My favorite tools and supplies (affiliate links):

Creative Grids 6.5" x 24.5" Rectangle Fiskars Rotary Cutter

Creative Grids 4.5" x 12.5" Rectangle Quilting Ruler

Fiskars Rotary Cutter replacement blades
Fiskars Self Healing Rotary Cutting Mat
BLACK+DECKER Classic Steam Iron
Fiskars 8-inch scissors

Juki TL-2010Q

Grabbit Magnetic Pin Cushion

Dritz Craft Pins, 1-3/4-Inch (250-Count)

Electric Quilt

Project box: IRIS 12" x 12" Portable Plastic Storage Cases with Built-in Handle, Clear (storage)

Letter Openers

Fiskars Rotating Cutting Mat 14 inch x 14 inch

Creative Grids Stripology XL Ruler

Brown Bag Mystery Quilt

I stacked up my block units.

And I sewed a bunch of blocks.

Then, I put the blocks and the sashing strips on the design wall. I'm sure I'll get them sewn together soon. I'm still working out the borders for this one. This one was really fun. 

Check out my previous BBMQ's.

    Piece of Cake (2024)

    Timeshare (2023)

My favorite tools and supplies (affiliate links):

Creative Grids 6.5" x 24.5" Rectangle Fiskars Rotary Cutter

Creative Grids 4.5" x 12.5" Rectangle Quilting Ruler

Fiskars Rotary Cutter replacement blades
Fiskars Self Healing Rotary Cutting Mat
BLACK+DECKER Classic Steam Iron
Fiskars 8-inch scissors

Juki TL-2010Q

Grabbit Magnetic Pin Cushion

Dritz Craft Pins, 1-3/4-Inch (250-Count)

Electric Quilt

Project box: IRIS 12" x 12" Portable Plastic Storage Cases with Built-in Handle, Clear (storage)

Letter Openers

Fiskars Rotating Cutting Mat 14 inch x 14 inch

Creative Grids Stripology XL Ruler

Brown Bag Mystery Quilt

I realized I hadn't been sharing my BBMQ clues. Let's just work through them since the big reveal is coming up on Saturday. I made some 4-patches

I made some great square-in-square units.  

And these units with contrast corners. I'm excited to see what comes next and how all these units will fit together. 

Check out my previous BBMQ's.

    Piece of Cake (2024)

    Timeshare (2023)

My favorite tools and supplies (affiliate links):

Creative Grids 6.5" x 24.5" Rectangle Fiskars Rotary Cutter

Creative Grids 4.5" x 12.5" Rectangle Quilting Ruler

Fiskars Rotary Cutter replacement blades
Fiskars Self Healing Rotary Cutting Mat
BLACK+DECKER Classic Steam Iron
Fiskars 8-inch scissors

Juki TL-2010Q

Grabbit Magnetic Pin Cushion

Dritz Craft Pins, 1-3/4-Inch (250-Count)

Electric Quilt

Project box: IRIS 12" x 12" Portable Plastic Storage Cases with Built-in Handle, Clear (storage)

Letter Openers

Fiskars Rotating Cutting Mat 14 inch x 14 inch

Creative Grids Stripology XL Ruler

Brown Bag Mystery Quilt - Clue #1

So many strips to make this quilt. The Creative Grids Stripology XL Ruler has been so great for this project. 

Here is my finished clue #1. I'm excited to see where this mystery is going. 

Check out my previous BBMQ's.

    Piece of Cake (2024)

    Timeshare (2023)

My favorite tools and supplies (affiliate links):

Creative Grids 6.5" x 24.5" Rectangle Fiskars Rotary Cutter

Creative Grids 4.5" x 12.5" Rectangle Quilting Ruler

Fiskars Rotary Cutter replacement blades
Fiskars Self Healing Rotary Cutting Mat
BLACK+DECKER Classic Steam Iron
Fiskars 8-inch scissors

Juki TL-2010Q

Grabbit Magnetic Pin Cushion

Dritz Craft Pins, 1-3/4-Inch (250-Count)

Electric Quilt

Project box: IRIS 12" x 12" Portable Plastic Storage Cases with Built-in Handle, Clear (storage)

Letter Openers

Fiskars Rotating Cutting Mat 14 inch x 14 inch

Creative Grids Stripology XL Ruler

Brown Bag Mystery Quilt

I don't know what it is about these mystery quilts that I love so much. That doesn't matter. I popped over to The Crabby Quilter, one of my local quilt shops, and picked up a kit and the Creative Grids Square on Square Trim Tool (3in or 6in).

I admit I chose it because of those cute, little kitties! I'm excited to get started on this project. Every year this is an adventure that takes me outside my comfort zone. I'm here for it!

Check out my previous BBMQ's.

    Piece of Cake (2024)

    Timeshare (2023)

My favorite tools and supplies (affiliate links):

Creative Grids 6.5" x 24.5" Rectangle Fiskars Rotary Cutter

Creative Grids 4.5" x 12.5" Rectangle Quilting Ruler

Fiskars Rotary Cutter replacement blades
Fiskars Self Healing Rotary Cutting Mat
BLACK+DECKER Classic Steam Iron
Fiskars 8-inch scissors

Juki TL-2010Q

Grabbit Magnetic Pin Cushion

Dritz Craft Pins, 1-3/4-Inch (250-Count)

Electric Quilt

Project box: IRIS 12" x 12" Portable Plastic Storage Cases with Built-in Handle, Clear (storage)

Letter Openers

Fiskars Rotating Cutting Mat 14 inch x 14 inch

Creative Grids Stripology XL Ruler

Brown Bag Mystery Quilt

I finally finished one of my Brown Bag Mystery Quilts. This kit was purchased from Mountain Creek Quilt Shop. I purchased two kits from them but I may have misplaced the other kit in my sewing room. More on that another time. The quilting motif is Hours from Longarm League.

My favorite tools and supplies (affiliate links):

Creative Grids 6.5" x 24.5" Rectangle Fiskars Rotary Cutter

Creative Grids 4.5" x 12.5" Rectangle Quilting Ruler

Fiskars Rotary Cutter replacement blades
Fiskars Self Healing Rotary Cutting Mat
BLACK+DECKER Classic Steam Iron
Fiskars 8-inch scissors

Juki TL-2010Q

Grabbit Magnetic Pin Cushion

Dritz Craft Pins, 1-3/4-Inch (250-Count)

Electric Quilt

Project box: IRIS 12" x 12" Portable Plastic Storage Cases with Built-in Handle, Clear (storage)

Letter Openers

Fiskars Rotating Cutting Mat 14 inch x 14 inch

Creative Grids Stripology XL Ruler

Brown Bag Mystery Quilt

I loaded my first Brown Bag Mystery Quilt onto the frame and got it quilted. You can almost see the quilting in the next photo. I still haven't picked the binding. I have some leftover pink and blue that might work. 

And finished my second Brown Bag Mystery Quilt top. I have backing for this one and will get it quilted soon. I bought enough kits to make three quilts but I haven't started the third one yet. It is another solids quilt. 

My favorite tools and supplies (affiliate links):

Creative Grids 6.5" x 24.5" Rectangle Fiskars Rotary Cutter

Creative Grids 4.5" x 12.5" Rectangle Quilting Ruler

Fiskars Rotary Cutter replacement blades
Fiskars Self Healing Rotary Cutting Mat
BLACK+DECKER Classic Steam Iron
Fiskars 8-inch scissors

Juki TL-2010Q

Grabbit Magnetic Pin Cushion

Dritz Craft Pins, 1-3/4-Inch (250-Count)

Electric Quilt

Project box: IRIS 12" x 12" Portable Plastic Storage Cases with Built-in Handle, Clear (storage)

Letter Openers

Fiskars Rotating Cutting Mat 14 inch x 14 inch

Creative Grids Stripology XL Ruler

Fabric Acquisition

Last weekend I popped over to Spring Water Designs to pick up some backing for quilts. I was very good and only grabbed a couple things extra. I picked up a small Accuquilt Go! mat for my 6" dies. Always nice to have an extra on hand.

This fun speckle was a good fit for my Pieces of Love quilt. I'm excited to get this one quilted.

I grabbed this fun print to back my Brown Bag Mystery Quilt. 

I also grabbed a medium gray backing for my second Brown Bag Mystery Quilt, and a yard of pink fabric I hope to use in a summer quilt along.

My favorite tools and supplies (affiliate links):

Creative Grids 6.5" x 24.5" Rectangle 

Creative Grids 4.5" x 12.5" Rectangle Quilting Ruler

Creative Grids Quilt Ruler 6-1/2" Square

Fiskars Rotary Cutter

Fiskars Rotary Cutter replacement blades
Fiskars Self Healing Rotary Cutting Mat
BLACK+DECKER Classic Steam Iron
Fiskars 8-inch scissors

Juki TL-2010Q

Grabbit Magnetic Pin Cushion

Dritz Craft Pins, 1-3/4-Inch (250-Count)

Electric Quilt

Project box: IRIS 12" x 12" Portable Plastic Storage Cases with Built-in Handle, Clear (storage)

Letter Openers

Fiskars Rotating Cutting Mat 14 inch x 14 inch

Creative Grids Stripology XL Ruler

Brown Bag Mystery Quilt

Once the big reveal was out, I started working on piecing the rows.

I love how this pattern was written when it came to putting the rows together. Everything came together perfectly. Well, as perfectly as it can when pieced.

I kept adding rows according to the layout. 

I was pleasantly surprised to find I got it right the first time. I had some of the white-on-white background fabric, so I added a 2" border.

Then I added a blue border using some leftover backing fabric I had that matched. I think it came out great! Now to repeat it with my second quilt.

My favorite tools and supplies (affiliate links):

Creative Grids 6.5" x 24.5" Rectangle Fiskars Rotary Cutter

Creative Grids 4.5" x 12.5" Rectangle Quilting Ruler

Fiskars Rotary Cutter replacement blades
Fiskars Self Healing Rotary Cutting Mat
BLACK+DECKER Classic Steam Iron
Fiskars 8-inch scissors

Juki TL-2010Q

Grabbit Magnetic Pin Cushion

Dritz Craft Pins, 1-3/4-Inch (250-Count)

Electric Quilt

Project box: IRIS 12" x 12" Portable Plastic Storage Cases with Built-in Handle, Clear (storage)

Letter Openers

Brown Bag Mystery Quilt

I had to play catchup with my Brown Bag Mystery Quilt. I was behind for clues 3 and 4. So many half-square triangles! This is the kit from The Crabby Quilter in Annapolis, MD.

I really like working with the solids. They're so forgiving when it comes to cutting and piecing.

This kit is from Mountain Creek Quilt Shop in Alcoa, TN. I bought two kits from them but haven't cut any of the other kit. The last clue is tomorrow and I'm ready!

My favorite tools and supplies (affiliate links):

Creative Grids 6.5" x 24.5" Rectangle Fiskars Rotary Cutter

Creative Grids 4.5" x 12.5" Rectangle Quilting Ruler

Fiskars Rotary Cutter replacement blades
Fiskars Self Healing Rotary Cutting Mat
BLACK+DECKER Classic Steam Iron
Fiskars 8-inch scissors

Juki TL-2010Q

Grabbit Magnetic Pin Cushion

Dritz Craft Pins, 1-3/4-Inch (250-Count)

Electric Quilt

Project box: IRIS 12" x 12" Portable Plastic Storage Cases with Built-in Handle, Clear (storage)

Letter Openers

Brown Bag Mystery Quilt

These little nine-patches were the first clue. 

The second was loads and loads of flying geese. I'm going to be piecing these for days.

A little bit of chain piecing makes this go quickly. I use the letter opener to quickly cut the units apart. 

My favorite tools and supplies (affiliate links):

Creative Grids 6.5" x 24.5" Rectangle Fiskars Rotary Cutter

Creative Grids 4.5" x 12.5" Rectangle Quilting Ruler

Fiskars Rotary Cutter replacement blades
Fiskars Self Healing Rotary Cutting Mat
BLACK+DECKER Classic Steam Iron
Fiskars 8-inch scissors

Juki TL-2010Q

Grabbit Magnetic Pin Cushion

Dritz Craft Pins, 1-3/4-Inch (250-Count)

Electric Quilt

Project box: IRIS 12" x 12" Portable Plastic Storage Cases with Built-in Handle, Clear (storage)

Letter Openers

Brown Bag Mystery Quilt

How can you have only one?

I discovered Mountain Creek Quilt Shop through the Brown Bag Mystery group on Facebook. I found their collection of classic book covers as color inspiration delightful. So much so, that I bought two more brown bag kits. 

I bought The Raven and The Call of Cthulhu. I even added the extra coordinating fabric for borders and binding. I really like the mix of greens and blues in The Call of Cthulhu bag. The Raven will likely be stunning with the almost monochromatic palette. 

I started with The Raven. So far I've only made the one block. I am set up to stitch the rest when I have a couple minutes. It is easy to stitch a couple when I have just a few minutes to sew. 

My favorite tools and supplies (affiliate links):

Creative Grids 6.5" x 24.5" Rectangle Fiskars Rotary Cutter

Creative Grids 4.5" x 12.5" Rectangle Quilting Ruler

Fiskars Rotary Cutter replacement blades
Fiskars Self Healing Rotary Cutting Mat
BLACK+DECKER Classic Steam Iron
Fiskars 8-inch scissors

Juki TL-2010Q

Grabbit Magnetic Pin Cushion

Dritz Craft Pins, 1-3/4-Inch (250-Count)

Electric Quilt

Project box: IRIS 12" x 12" Portable Plastic Storage Cases with Built-in Handle, Clear (storage)