Hi there. With so much anticipation I waited for the next set of directions for the Mystery in three parts.
The magazine came in the mail yesterday and when I feverishly looked at the table of contents to see where my next set of instructions were, I frantically turned to the page.
Oh this must be some mistake I first said. The instructions were in the last few pages of the magazine--this was much to important to their fans not to have more prominence.
Then when I looked at the pictures, I was certain that I must have gotten a copy that was missing some pages.
I waited anxiously for two months, along with my friend, to get our next assignment; and I am sorry but there is no other way to say this -- I WAS SOOOO DISAPPOINTED.
That was it??? I was sure there had to be more. Somehow my heart sank a bit yesterday. I hope that McCall's realizes that their fans are eagerly waiting for instruction. We quilt because we love it. We quilt because it gives us pleasure. We quilt because we learn new techniques and we quilt because we enjoy the fellowship that comes with it.
Sorry, but I think the magazine and this project missed their mark with part 2. Wasnt there just a little bit more that you could have given us?
I hope that I dont sound harsh with what I said above. I know I will carry on, but now I have to wait another two more months to get the final instructions, and somehow the anticipatory butterflies in my stomach have flown away.
rr
The quilt was designed for confident beginners, and to keep it a mystery, we had to break down the steps this way. We felt that all the cutting in Part 2 would keep you busy and allow you to save up your energy for the final installment. There will be lots to do in Part 3, and then all will be revealed! Part 2 of the mystery quilt was positioned in the back of the magazine so readers not interested in making it wouldn’t have to see it so close to the front of the issue.
To Valerie,
Thanks for your reply. I appreciate your answering my previous blog and explaing McCalls' position to my post.
Have a good day
What measurement should I use to square up my blocks in step one - the the measurement for step 2? Or isn't this measurement critical as long as they are all the same? Thanks for your help.
When we figured the cutting and piecing for these units, we didn’t plan that they would need to be squared up. If your cutting is accurate and you use an accurate ¼” seam allowance, these units will be the correct size. The pieced squares in part 1 should be 6” x 6” when measured from raw edge to raw edge (5 ½” finished size). The larger units in Part 2 should be 6” x 11 ½”, measuring from raw edge to raw edge (5 ½” x 11” finished size), and the smaller units 6” x 8 ¾” from raw edge to raw edge (5 ½” x 8 ¼” finished size).
Thanks Valerie. Mine are less than 6', so I'll have to make them fit with the others. Any suggestions? I'm looking forward to seeing the last issue to know what it will look like completed.
I am also a pretty new quilter (and have older eyes), so my seams are not entirely accurate either on every block. I appreciate the part two measurements Valerie gave us, as well. In regards to what Gail wrote, would it be possible to make up the measurement with the part 2 material? If I square up my part 1 blocks to 5.75 can I make up the loss with the additional fabric added for part 2 blocks? I hope I am asking this correctly, so you understand, Valerie.
Have a great day, and happy sewing everyone.
(Gail & rr, we haven't forgotten you...we'll post a reply as soon as possible. Thanks for your patience!)
Just checking in again regarding my previous post about making up size by enlarging Step 2 matterial.
I want to be ready for when the final installment comes out.
thanks
good day
We’re sorry to hear that some of you are having trouble making the mystery quilt. Several of us on the staff have made this quilt, so the pattern has been thoroughly tested and is correct. The pieces should fit together just fine, as long as you cut accurately and sew with an accurate 1/4” seam allowance (You will find helpful video on our website. Go to McCallsQuilting.com, click on Lessons, and then An Accurate 1/4” Seam Allowance.)
The pieced squares from Part 1 should measure 6” from raw edge to raw edge (which means they will be 5 1/2” square finished, when all the seams surrounding them are sewn). That said, we’re sure everyone would like to continue with the Mystery Quilt using what they’ve already sewn, so we have re-figured the cutting to help those of you whose pieced squares measure 5 3/4” from raw edge to raw edge. If your pieced squares from Part 1 measure 5 3/4” from raw edge to raw edge, use this list to cut your remaining fabric for Parts 2 and 3: Cutting Instructions for Part 2(cut in order listed)Fabric B *16 [12] rectangles 8 3/8” x 11” *4 squares 8 3/8” x 8 3/8” *64 [36] squares 3 1/8” x 3 1/8”Fabric C 100 [64] rectangles 3 1/8” x 5 3/4”*Set aside for Step 3. Cutting Instructions for Part 3Fabric A 16 [9] squares 11” x 11”Fabric D 25 [16] squares 5 3/4” x 5 3/4”
Thank you, thank you! I, along with others, appreciate your taking the time to get us the above measurements.
I look forward to finishing my quilt next installment, when we get the final instructions.
Thanks again,
Good day