Ten-Speed Quilt Clue One

The Ten-Speed Mystery Quilt

Before starting this or any other project, wash and press your fabric. If you like the behavior of crisp fabric as you cut, sew, and press your project, try a little spray sizing. Take the time to clean your machine, put in a new needle, and fill a few bobbins.

Read over each clue before you start to sew. Make sure you understand all the directions before you begin cutting. You don’t HAVE to use the method of making HSTs that I show in a clue. It’s just a way of trying something new.

This pattern assumes a perfect 1/4″ seam. WOF means Width of Fabric. Pressing means just holding the iron over a spot for a moment or two. Don’t drag the iron back and forth as you normally do when ironing. That might distort your seams.

Cutting Instructions

Scraps
You will need (10) 10″ squares or the equivalent in scraps for the darker side of the HSTs. That can be larger or smaller squares and/or strips. Don’t stress over this. If you don’t like the method shown in any clue, use a different one. No one will know.

• Background
  You will need (10) 10″ squares or the equivalent in scraps for the lighter side of the HSTs. That can be larger or smaller squares and/or strips. Again, don’t stress over this. If you don’t like the method shown, use your favorite.
• Cut (10) strips 4-1/2″ wide by the WOF. Cut these strips into (80) 4-1/2″ squares.
• Cut (14) strips 3-1/2″ wide by the WOF. Cut these strips into (80) 3-1/2″ × 6-1/2″ rectangles.

First Border and Binding

• Cut (15) strips 2-1/2″ wide by the WOF. They don’t have to be all the same color! A scrappy first border and binding will look just fine in this quilt. See Outer Border below.

Outer Border

• Cut (9) strips 5-1/2″ wide by the WOF outer border. If you are going to make this scrappy, you probably should make the first border all the same color. Otherwise, all the fabrics will blend and you won’t see the borders.

Don’t forget to send me your pictures! Anyone who sends me a picture of their fabric or blocks during or just after the mystery will receive a free copy of the final pattern as a thank-you. My email address is moc.liamgobfsctd-2f080e@sngisednoomebeohp.