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I know I don't have to ask for a show of hands when it comes to loving Bonnie Hunter and Quiltville.com, so join along with us as we work on our latest edition of a mystery quilt!

Here is the link for the fabric requirements:

http://quiltville.blogspot.com...-on-easy-street.html

The first "clue" will be posted on Friday, Nov. 23rd. If you would like to play along with us, post your fabric choices here so we can share suggestions and tips along the way.

I orignally got VERY excited when I saw the bright green, but after several green quilts, I needed a break....so, I pulled out my 30's fabrics....wasn't feeling it. Opened all the doors of my fabric cabinets (I have six white ones like Bonnie has) and picked based on what I had the most of. My colors picked me--red, blues and purples, WOB and a mottled grey I picked up today. I did have a perfect grey print in my stash, but only had a little over a yard (boo-hoo!). Oh well, the colors will play nice and the grey has enough contrast to play well with the white background. What fabrics have YOU picked?

P.S. I got an email from Bonnie today with a "BIG THANK YOU" for her gift from the ladies of the HGTV Quilting boards. I sent her a quart of Maine Maple Syrup (she mentioned how she just used the last of hers for breakfast a few weeks ago on her webcast) and thought it would be nice to send her for all the great patterns and live entertainment she shares with us!

"I just arrived home to find of jug of LL Bean maple syrup! YUMMY!!

You are spoiling me rotten!

Thanks to you and the HGTV Quilting board!

Bonnie

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http://Quiltville.com
http://Quiltville.blogspot.com
"The Best Things in Life are Quilted!!"
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This message has been edited. Last edited by: KC1930,

I keep tossing this around...not sure on colors maybe pinks/brown/burgundy/plums with ??? I'll pull some just in case I decide to play.If she does snips and bitties I won't...but I keep watching and reading...can you say vacilate

I haven't decided on colors yet but definitely plan to make this one. The only color I feel sure about is a light sage green instead of the gray - I have lots of stash but it's either designated for a specific quilt or a smaller piece. Possibly will use blues and browns with cream/tan backgrounds. Will have to see what else I have enough of.

KC, I like your choices.

May, I think she said there would be nothing smaller that 2" and that this one would be much quicker and easier than Orca Bay.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: pvillelou,

Will follow along downloading the instructions - don't know when I'll get to it.

My colors must seem to be subdued, but after making so many bright quilts in the last year, I need to bring it down a notch.

quote:

Originally posted by pvillelou:
May, I think she said there would be nothing smaller that 2" and that this one would be much quicker and easier than Orca Bay.

Pvillelou...where did you read that?? maybe there are more details I need to read.I'm on the Yahoo group,read her Blog as she travels....maybe Facebook?

KC...I like your colors too,I might be tempted to throw a sparkly royal blue or jewel tone navy in with that wonderful mix instead of the lighter blue...

Maybe I'll look at my stash again..as everyone posts their color choices(inspiration)...since I'm lacking on preferences. I think it is because I'm geared for Christmas sewing now that I can sew again and not mysteries.....

Hmmmmmmmmmmm, I was thinking a darker blue might blend in too much with my blue-reds and blue-purples...

KC...look at these colors Sharon39 posted on the Yahoo group

May, I think Bonnie made those comments during quiltcam. Does anyone else remember hearing it or did I dream it?

Sure wish I knew how BOW are going to be cut because I already have a bunch cut in noodles.

Susan

quote:

Originally posted by pvillelou:
May, I think Bonnie made those comments during quiltcam. Does anyone else remember hearing it or did I dream it?

Mary Lou, I'm sure she wrote it on her blog or FB. I remember the comment and I don't usually watch Quiltcam.
Wish I could be part of the workshop in Lansing tomorrow (only 1 hour away). They all seem like so much fun.
Joan

I believe I heard her say that on Quiltcam one night

It doesn't matter really...I'll wait for the instructions...I did see on her facebook page today where someone had commented she heard no piece was smaller than 2 1/2 inches...that was in response to someone else asking what the smallest chunk of fabric she should pull from her stash since she was using mixed blues(?).

I heard it first on quiltcam and then she posted it in one of the two blog posts she wrote on Nov. 1. "no smaller than 2 inches" a few other tips are on this post as well. On quiltcam I also heard her say that she does not work with value just "color" and that you need 4 colors four this quilt. Gray is the constant she chose for her Easy Street quilt--and she considers it one of her 4 colors. Here is a link to the post about 2 inches and the rulers.
http://quiltville.blogspot.com...art=32&by-date=false
In her color palate, the gray seems to blend with the background--not nearly as "colorful" as the rest of the palate. This has me wondering just what kind of role this constant will play! I have some fabrics pulled--but will try and wait until the quilt is done this year before I make it. Most likely I will make a smaller version. Just thought of something else she said--no strings or crumbs in this quilt! Just a little more than a week now before it starts...exciting!!!!!!

ImaQuilter, I heard her say 2" is the smallest size piece on the webcam also. I found to keep a pad of paper and pen next to the laptop to jot down her comments (that's why I knew she ran out of real maple syrup!).

I really did have to pull myself back not to replace the reds with the bright greens, but I've never used so many reds in my quilts and it's about time. Since checking my stash last year, I found it was the one color I had very little of, so when shopping, it was my goal to find more reds than to purchase other colors. Time to cut em' up and get sewing!

Thanks Ima....She also reposted that tid-bit today on her Phone-agram thinggy.

Another thing she mentioned several times is not to let the title "Easy Street" fool you...it isn't a quilt for a newbie.

Only four more days before the mystery begins! Does anyone else have their fabrics selected yet?

I really want to do this mystery! Unfortunately I do not have the fabrics I want to use and can't be buying any this close to Christmas. Hopefully I will be able to make it in the new year. I hope you post your progress!

I will be using Bonnie's colors which I had plenty on hand. Just had to buy the gray. Wish I could have found something similar to hers but natch.... I am going to go back to JoAnn's on Wednesday to see if I can find the other 3/4 yd of gray. If not, then I will go to my lqs and get something.

I need to get my 1/4" more accurate. I know she is a stickler for this. Going to try her index card trick to see if I can get it on the nose.

Susan

I have NOT picked out my fabrics yet!! : And I have been thinking about it alot since I fist read about it..... I have to get on this, like, uh NOW!!!

In my defense (if I have one... ) is, my guild is also doing a mystery. And yes, I did get that one figured out (3 fabrics = easy!!) And I have other projects on my table right now, and why oh why do I opt to add more to the pile???!!!

But, I will be ready when the first clue comes onto my computer screen..... I will be ready to go down easy street for awhile.... and I will have fun with alot of other people who will be walking along with me!!!

Yes, it will be fun to have our quilting sisters post their progress pics!

I love Bonnie Hunter, but I got scared when I read I would need 14yds of fabric for this quilt. Did I read that right?? I made her Roll Roll, Cotton Boll, and didn't think I'd ever finsh that one, it has a gazillion pieces! And I still need to layer and finish it off.
I'll be watching the progress you girls make, but I'm going to sit back on this one for now-too many UFO's in my posession. If it looks doable, I might decide to tackle it later next year.
Good luck everybody, and have fun with it!

Quiltydaze, we would happy to have you join us!

Here it is, 1:00 a.m. and just getting home from work. Yes, believe it or not, a very busy night at L.L. Bean!

Just hoping Bonnie would post the first set of directions before she hit the sack, but no such luck. How the heck am I going to be able to sleep now???

Oh joy! Here we go!

http://quiltville.com/pdf/EasyStreetPart1.pdf

Lucky for me I don't even need to use my B & W fabrics--I have TONS of 2 1/2" strips already cut in my stash! I also have a bunch of 2 1/2" squares if needed...

So all I needed to do is cut my gray strips...

Hurrah! This step definitely fits the name of EASY street. I'll get started later today after DD and I do a bit of black Friday shopping. I don't plan on getting much shopping done but she and I don't have many opportunities to shop together and actually like being out in the crowds for a little while.

And guess who is already sewing?

P.S. My SM repair person is coming to pick up my machine for her yearly check-up and cleaning today, so I'd better get cracking!

Hey, KC! The strips are to be cut 2"!

I like to trim mine down afterwards to the 3 1/2" squares!

A lot of my fabrics i will be using have been washed and ironed. Things that needed to be purchased like 2 yds of gray fabric has not been washed. Is Bonnie a believer in washing b4hand or does she believe it does not really matter?

Thanks b4hand,

Susan

Since I like 4 patches I am going to start cutting & sewing.

I don't wash my fabrics b4-hand not sure what Bonnie does,it seems to be a personal preference...exception to the rule is batiks and any reds & black black fabrics...

ENABLER ALERT! I said this year I would not do the Mystery but alas..... I made a trip to Joann Fabrics today and came home with Bonnie's colors which are not so me!

The best part was that the FQ were 99 cents today! I bought 1/8 and 1/4 yards of the apple green and aquas, those were on sale plus I got 25% off the entire purchase at the end!

Sadly though when I walked outside to my car someone had sideswiped my car and left their black calling card. But I am going to give thanks I was not in the car and the damage was minimal, just wish they had fessed up and left me a note. Will post my pics later of my fabric when I get home, am visiting with the little giblet grandkids!

"EASY STREET" here we come!

Gosh...I hate when people do that...yes I've had the same thing happen.....
I'm stitching the 4 patches...I'll pick my other colors after I see the next step..Grey goes with everything...I'm just not into the Bonnie brights right now.

quote:

Originally posted by KC1930:
I like to trim mine down afterwards to the 3 1/2" squares!

What size are those KC???

It's right in her directions under the picture of the finished four-patch

"4-patches will measure 3.5" square and finish at 3" in the quilt."

This message has been edited. Last edited by: KC1930,

KC...I meant what are the size of the strips you posted here above...

I have all my paired strips sewn...I'll cut my twosies tomorrow and sew up my 4 patches

ok I am confused.

Went to the original post from Bonnie and it reads:

"Cut 2" strips rom background and whatever you are using as grey".

Then under the finished sewn 4-patch she writes and I quote:

" 4-patches will measure 3.5" square and finish at 3" in the quilt."

So this means that the stips need to be cut 2" not 2.5"

texana, KC already had some strips that were cut 2 1/2" so she used those. After she finishes the four patches she will trim them to the correct size. I think she (KC) has a typo in her last post about the unfinished size of the four patches.

Thanks for the help on my confusion!

First, thanks for the link to the pdf Part 1. Computer at work web-senses fun sites so I wouldn't have had access to it til next week! I'm using Bonnie's colors, first they are among my favorites, I just used 2 of 3 in recent swaps. I have blk/whi strips thanks to KC swaps and making a blk/whi/red quilt for my grandson. I may be a little low on purple and I'm not finding in my stash a "gray". So tomorrow I'm hitting JoAnns to look for that then will get sewing, those 4 patches will be good to fit in with my current obligations. It's going to be fun!

Ok, I'm in! I have had a house full of family since Wednesday. Everyone is in bed now(including me), and they will be on the road by noon tomorrow. Sooo, I will be sewing up a batch of four patches before they all hit the interstate !

I have decided to use some FQ that I picked up in Branson and I'm going to make a toddler size quilt for my first grandchild due in late March. Any extra units I have left will be used for an accessory for the nursery.

I will post a pic of my fabric later tomorrow anong with my first present of the season. A workbench DH bought me for my sewing room.

Oops! I stand corrected--it's 3 1/2" finished!

Off to work, but will finish up twirling my centers today! Glad we started with an "easy" first step!

Part 1 downloaded.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Elainetoo,

I have my strips cut and hopefully will be able to sew this afternoon. the strips are 2" and the 4 patch will end up 3.5" unfinished and 3.' finished in the quilt

DD and DSIL are here for a couple of days so I won't be getting started on this until Monday. But I did finally select the fabrics - rather dark compared to Bonnie's but it's what I have enough of.

I expected to see some pics of four patches! I'm anxious to see what everyone is using.

Don't forget to use your Shape Cutter for those 4 patches and strips...

quote:

Don't forget to use your Shape Cutter for those 4 patches and strips...

That's one of my favorite tools!