Part 1 - En Provence, Bonnie Hunter Mystery Quilt 2016

Suzi the Cat enjoying the 2015 Allietare Mystery Quilt 

So we are off!  The 2016 Bonnie Hunter Mystery quilt, En Provence, has started.  Suzi the cat loves this time of year.  As you can see, this morning she is making the most of last years 'Allietare' Mystery quilt which is currently on my bed.

I was away over the weekend at the Knitting and Stitching Show in Harrogate which meant that I didn't access the full details until Sunday.  Since then I have cut all my pieces and have sewn about 50% of the four-patches.  As I mentioned in my previous post, I am not going scrappy, which was a bit of problem with Part 1 of the En Provence Mystery quilt.  However, Bonnie must have been sending me vibes as I had decided to pick up an alternative French General neutral whilst I was at the show, so this has worked out perfectly for her 'two neutral' option.

Part 1 - En Provence, Bonnie Hunter 2016 Mystery Quilt

I will admit that all the preparation required to get going on Part 1 reminded me why I do lots of English paper Piecing by hand.  Before I could get going I had to clear some space for cutting.  The area around my sewing machine had become a dumping ground, so that had to be cleared as well.  I had bought some extra bobbins for my machine at the show, so I wound several of them ready for the next few weeks.  I cleaned my machine.  I put on my single needle plate.  I put in a new needle. After having my machine nearly 8 years I decided to use the table which came with it for the first time which required setting up.  Then I decided that I needed to get my 'Leader and Ender' project set up from the start to make the most of my machine sewing.

Part 1 - En Provence, chain piecing

In the 2015 Black Friday sales I picked up an Accuquilt fabric cutter and knew this would be the perfect project to make the most of it.  It made quick work of cutting the strips and in my enthusiasm I decided to cut the strips into squares. This was perhaps a step too far as it meant that the time I had saved with my cutting, I lost stitching squares instead of strips.  But my squares were very accurately cut .... So far the chain stitching has been very efficient and as a result I haven't made much of a dent into my 'leader and ender' project.
Finally, I want to put out a BIG THANK YOU to Bonnie Hunter for her generosity and for taking the time to put this together.  When I started to read her instructions for Part 1, I remembered why I enjoy her Mystery Quilt so much.  Her instructions are excellent and so thorough that it makes it easy for a quilter at any stage to get a quilt together.  Writing a blog every day takes time, so I really appreciate the work she puts into this.

I know a lot of my Followers are Mystery Quilt fans, so I look forward to seeing your progress too.  Linking up to the Monday Link UP!

Dear Jane Quilt - Block E9 Quilt Jail

Dear Jane Quilt - Block E9 Quilt Jail

For some reason this one really did feel like what it might be like to be in Quilt Jail.  Lots of fiddly pieces that had to be squeezed into four sides. This really puts English Paper Piecing to the test.

Techniques: English Paper Piecing and Applique
Pieces: 35 pieces

Dear Jane Quilt - Draw 52 - B4, E9, K2, K3

Dear Jane Quilt - Draw 51 - E13, I7, I8, L3

I will try to fit in a few more Dear Jane blocks before the Bonnie Hunter 'En Provence' 2016  Mystery quilt takes over.  Here is an overview of the recent purple selection and ready to move on to the next Draw.  BTW there are only six more draws to go.

Draw 52
B4 - Chris's Soccer Field
E9 - Quilt Jail
K2 - Grandpa's Chickens
K3 - Seven Sisters

This Draw will be in Red

En Provence - Bonnie Hunter's 2016 Mystery Quilt - Introduction

Suzi the cat enjoying Allietare, 2015 Bonnie Hunter Mystery Quilt

It was four years ago when I started this blog, mainly to share my progress on Bonnie Hunter's 2012 Mystery Quilt, Easy Street. I completed Celtic Solstice in 2013 (but it still needs quilting), opted out of Grand Illusion in 2014 and picked up again with Allietare in 2015, which is currently on our bed, which Suzi is modelling above.

I have been dithering whether I was going to do Bonnie Hunter's 2016 Mystery Quilt 'En Provence' this year.  It is an 'extra' for my To-do list which I could probably do without.  But there is that period between Christmas and New Year where doing the Mystery Quilt has now become a tradition.

Bonnie Hunter's 2016 Mystery Quilt colours 'En Provence'

Here is a pull from my stash of the colours which Bonnie intends to use.  Lovely colours.  I love the beautiful colours she has chosen, but I know I just wouldn't use the quilt at the end. Usually at this stage of the year I have a colour scheme in mind, perhaps one I have been meaning to use for a while, but this year there wasn't any scheme which I was itching to try.   

Bonnie Hunter's 2016 Mystery Quilt - Fabadashery 'En Provence'

So instead I have gone for this colour scheme.  It is a cross between the lavender of Provence and the heathers of Scotland. This range is made up of Moda French General fabrics and I will be keeping to one fabric and not going scrappy.  I WILL NOT BE GOING SCRAPPY!   Also, I am not going for full size.  I AM NOT GOING FOR FULL SIZE!  I feel a bit of a lightweight admitting all this, but again, I do not have a shortage of very large quilts and a smaller, lighter quilt would be more versatile.  I do intend to follow the Mystery Quilt each week, so no peeping to see the outcome before I make it.  I have yet to decide which colour substitutes which or how big it will be.

Let me know if you are joining in this year. I can't wait for Friday for the first stage and I can't wait for New Years Day for the BIG REVEAL!

Dear Jane Quilt - Block L3 Reflections Abound

Dear Jane Quilt - Block L3 Reflections Abound

There has been a bit of a delay with this block as I had lost it.  I didn't label the blocks as I guessed I would know by their colour, but I did get myself in a muddle trying to identify this one, L3 Reflections Abound.

Other sewing news - I think I have committed myself to doing Bonnie Hunter's 'En Provence' 2016 Mystery Quilt and once I have a minute I will bring you up-to-date with my plans which, as usual, are slightly off piste.

Techniques: English Paper Piecing and Applique
Pieces: 25  pieces

Dear Jane Quilt - Block E13 Moth in a Web

Dear Jane Quilt - Block E13 Moth in a Web

I do love the variety of sampler quilts.  Each one is like a little mini quilt of its own. For Dear Jane block E13 Moth in a Web, I think there was a choice of applique or piecing for the little triangles - I chose piecing as little triangles can be a bit trying.  I haven't cut any Dear Jane for ages now, but after this post I am off to cut more sashing pieces.

'Nearly Insane Quilt' by Frances Meredith

Also in the news today, my Nearly Insane quilt has had further success at the 2016 West Country Quilt and Textile Show, full details are over at my other Fabadashery blog .
Techniques: English Paper Piecing and Applique
Pieces: 26  pieces

Dear Jane Quilt - Block I7 Mac and Muff

Dear Jane Quilt - Block I7 Mac and Muff

Here is another pretty purple Dear Jane block, I7 Mac and Muff.  Again I couldn't face appliqueing those tiny triangles onto Dear Jane block I7 Mac and Muff, so I sliced up the borders and pieced it instead.

A quick look around to find a reference to Mac and Muff and I see that it was series of 'Early Reader' books.  Did anyone learn to read with these?  In my day it was 'Dick and Dora'.

'Nearly Insane Quilt' by Frances Meredith

featured in British Patchwork and Quilting magazine, November 2016

Other news - my Nearly Insane Quilt is currently being featured in British Patchwork and Quilting magazine, November 2016.

Techniques: English Paper Piecing and Applique
Pieces: 27 pieces

Dear Jane Quilt - Block I8 Pete's Paintbox

Dear Jane Quilt - Block I8 Pete's Paintbox

I think its time I moved on with these purple blocks. This Dear Jane block, I8 Pete's Paintbox, which seems to be a square in a square in a square.
I have spent most of my TV time this week basting sashing for Dear Jane as I have run out and that is stopping me get the whole thing together.  A small pile has grown, and the next few rows are ready to be put together.

Techniques: English Paper Piecing and Applique
Pieces: 25  pieces

Dear Jane Quilt - Draw 51 - E13, I7, I8, L3

Dear Jane Quilt - Draw 50 - B3, C4, J3, L13

November is always a busy time of year for me and it feels like other things are taking over my stitching time at the moment.  I have found a little slot to keep you posted on my Dear Jane blocks and below are the details of the next blocks.

Suzi the Cat, November 2016

Suzi has found a spot to catch a bit of November sunshine today, whilst I am making the most of a Sunday to slowly stitch the Dear Jane rows together.
Don't forget to Join Kathy over at Slow Stitching Sunday  and Feline Friday

Draw 51
E13 - Moth in a Web
I7 - Mac and Muff
I8 - Pete's Paintbox
L3 - Reflections Abound

This Draw will be in Purple

Dear Jane Quilt - Block L13 Harvest Moon

Dear Jane Quilt - Block L13 Harvest Moon

Another round Dear Jane block, L13 Harvest Moon.

Yesterday, I mentioned the 365 circle project.  Little did I know that it was a year ago since that Quilty Folk started it and today they are sharing their progress.  Great stuff.

Techniques: English Paper Piecing and Applique
Pieces: 8 pieces