Discussion and Questions regarding Step 1

Here's a pretty good video showing that same process.

Squaring Fabric

There's also a discussion and picture tutorial under the discussions at Fabric Swap.

Fabric Swaps » Discussions » fabric cutting is essential to better swaps and sewing

That's the discussion you want.

Thank you, everyone! I'm a visual/tactile learner, so I'm thinking the video especially will help. My fabrics are yardage, 3-4 yards each, so maybe I'll cut them into smaller pieces first, like maybe a yard. Everyone here is so helpful. I really appreciate your experience.

Nana:

Mamahen

Those 1" strips are some of the first we will be using in block construction.   You may want to go ahead and cut them.

So far I've only cut up my 'dark' fabric which for me is orange.  I'm a pre-washer, so my fabric was 2 inches shy of 2 yards. I didn't cut the 6 1/4 inch strip since I could get the blocks I needed from what was left of the 12 inch strip. I couldn't face cutting all of those long skinny 1 inch wide strips, so I cut a couple of 8 1/2 inch strips, trimmed off the selvedges of the folded fabric and then sliced off my 1 inch strips 2 at a time. I had only a sliver of fabric left when I got to the end of the strip. I was surprised to find that after cutting all of my 'dark' fabric, I still have 26 inches of uncut fabric left!   My 'light' fabric is a black/grey print.  I have over 3 yards of it and wanted to use it up.  It is all starched, pressed, and ready to cut.  Hopefully, I can get the cutting done tomorrow evening after I get off work and post pictures then.  I don't have a border fabric. The quilt will tell me what it needs for borders once we get the piecing done.

I'm loving all of the fabric combinations that you all are posting.

Nana,  Thanks so much for organizing all of this for us.   I'm really looking forward to this mystery.

Thank you, Maggie! I've made a couple of quilts that have that paisley theme to them. Takes me back to my high school years, the hippie movement was just slowing down...I missed most of it, but it wasnt my cup of tea anywho. But I do love the fabric of that time!

Quiltcrone

Sometimes cutting your yardage into 1 yd chunks can cause you to need more fabric.   I know this sounds silly but sometimes you will lack just an inch or so of fabric to cut a strip when you have limited your cutting space in the yardage.   Did that make any sense to you or anyone other than me?   I am have a really hard time expressing myself tonight....LOL>

Nana:

Sometimes cutting your yardage into 1 yd chunks can cause you to need more fabric.

I got what you are saying.  would be better to figure out how much you'll need, like when I got to cutting the 1" strips, I cut  8-10 inches off first and then cut the 1" strips from that.  that worked out better for me. 

I haven't seen what anyone else said about your yellow yet, but I think it would work just fine. I have done many mystery quilts. As lonf as you have good contrast between your fabrics you should be fine. I love your border and your color choices.

Judy

San Jose, CA

Forgot to say, my response was for Quiltcrone regarding he fabrics.

 

My  MQ 8 fabric came last night in the mail.  I only got part of the dark cut, but will post when done.  Hopefully later this afternoon. But here are the fabrics.  My granddaughter told me last week that she needs another quilt as her bunk bed only has one.  So she will get this one.  It may be when it is done or perhaps for her birthday or Christmas, but the colors are definitely with her in mind.  Might brighten up the border if I see something I like better somewhere.

Jan in Rochester, NY

I finally selected my fabric.  "Bronco's" colors.  It will be a while till I can cut, but will be printing instructions as they come out so I can catch up when everything settles down.

Martha

Parker, Co

Here are 2 possible fabrics that I picked today at Joanns  up for the border .  Which one do yall like best?  The one on the left has metallic thread and is my fav of the two, but the one on right would really POP.

 

Donna:

Here are 2 possible fabrics that I picked today at Joanns  up for the border .  Which one do yall like best?  The one on the left has metallic thread and is my fav of the two, but the one on right would really POP.

  You have 2 beautiful fabrics to choose from.  The first one would bring the light lavender out more, but I am a matchy-matchy type person and the plum matches some of the flowers in the second one quite well.  You are right that it really POPS.  I have looked at both of these fabrics myself, but didn't have  anything that would go with them.  I need to take a trip (a 50 mile one) to our closest Joanns and find something to go with my magenta fabric.  I also would like some sort of large floral for my border.  I have many on hand but most are just 1 yard and wouldn't be quite enough for the border, unless I decided on a narrower one or multiple borders.   

Jan and Martha

Great fabrics.   Love the colors.

Donna

I used the one on the right in a stack n whack.   Love that fabric.