Marie's Optical Illusion Rule Release #14

Yippee, I finished #14.  I only have one more block and the border to do.

The rule for this block was to make a pinwheel.  My pinwheel is fairly subtle, but it is there.  I'll let you find it.

The technique was to combine a hand stitched applique with embroidery.  The little tumbling blocks are hand embroidered and then appliqued onto the quilt.  I have appliqued quite a lot, but those corners on the blocks were quite a challenge for me.  I guess I'm out of practice.  Anyway, I'm not totally thrilled with the little tumbling blocks, but I quite like the rest of the block and can't wait to add it to the quilt.

Pam's Woods Mystery - Rule 14 and 15

This one didn't turn out quite like I imagined it. With hindsight, I should have made the pinwheels with light and dark green instead of greens and blues. They are supposed to be tall trees! I appliqued the trunks with wool felt and embroidery thread.

There was only one rule for 15 and it was to use no pink. I told myself that would be easy because I am using browns and greens mostly. I was just about finished putting all the squares together when I realized that some of my browns had pink in them. I had good intentions. I actually made rules 14 and 15 alike. Below is a picture of them joined. Betty gave me one of her dimentional blocks from an earlier rule because she thought it looked like a tent. I appliqued the tent in the center of the trees where rules 14 and 15 are joined.

I really have enjoyed participating in this mystery. This was a good exercise in creativity and design and certainly took me outside my "quilting box." Everyone did a fabulous job with their mysteries. I am looking forward to seeing all of the finished designs.

Scarecrow 14 & 15

This will be the top of my quilt.  I broke the rules on this one.  I wanted to extend the tree from earlier clue so I did it the best I could.  That meant changing the size of rules 14 & 15.   I had found a vest at goodwill store so I wanted to use the scarecrows from it in the quilt somewhere but these scarecrows were pretty big.  Part of the design was knitted right into the sweater and parts of it are appliqued on, so I had to cut around the entire design to use it in the quilt.  I appliqued them each onto big pieces of flannel so that I could have one in each upper corner of the quilt.  The blackbirds were here and there on the vest so I cut them off the sweater and put them in the tree.  I had to laugh at myself because the whole time I was making the tree I was trying to think of something to put in it besides leaves.  While I was cutting up the vest , I was thinking the extra birds are cute,  I should find a place in the quilt for them.

Now I need to attach this section to the rest of the quilt and make some borders.

Rule 14 & 15 - finished!

I ended up combining Rules 14 and 15 because of time constraints with student teaching starting soon (and the fact that I was behind on #14....lol). I haven't got a clue why the pic is sideways, but that's beside the point. The piano key border is one of my favorite things to use in bordering a quilt and there's no pink in the entire quilt. =) The hearts in the corners of the border are what remained of the teddy bear panel. I do admit to machine applique'ing them on because I didn't have time to do them otherwise. The only thing that didn't get in from Rule 14 was the pinwheel and that's because I could think of how to add one.

I'm not real happy with all the open background fabric in the bottom right, so I may end up adding something else there. But haven't decided on that.

I've had a great time working on the mystery this past year. It's been great fun to watch as everyone's quilt has unfolded. And if another one is done I'd love to take part again!

Additon to Bird Rule 14

I decided I liked Moira's suggestion of adding more branches, so here is the updated block.

I like it better.

Bird Mystery Rule 14 Reveal

Here is my Rule 14.  I'm not sure I like it, but I need to let it sit for a while before I decide for sure.  I may add something, perhaps a swallow with a third pinwheel in it's beak.  I'm a little uncomfortable with all the open space, but I may decide I want to keep it and quilt a design in it.  Any suggestions?

Rule Release #14

Rule Release #14


Hello again everyone!  How is your Christmas readiness coming along?  I am certain we all have our days and evenings filled with all sorts of goings-on.


As for the Dorinda Mystery, we are very close. The last rule release will come out in January and then we will have a top completed minus borders -- yeah!!

Rule:  Make a pinwheel


Technique:  combine a hand stitched applique with embroidery

Size:  We are going to make half of a row this month and next month we'll make the other half to complete the quilt top (minus borders).  This row will go on either the TOP or BOTTOM of the quilt.  Block #14 will need to be 30 1/2" wide ( 30" finished) by 22 1/2" tall (22 finished). 

Once the row is completed in early February, the quilt should measure 60 x 80 which will fit the top of a queen-sized bed.  You will have to make borders to get the quilt long enough to go over the sides of the bed.
Due Dates: The next and FINAL rule will release January 15th.  You can begin showing a full release of #14 any time it is completed.