Sunday, July 19, 2020

Alex Anderson's Mystery Quilt

During this time of Staying at Home, and Quilter's Quarantine, Alex Anderson has posted on Facebook Live three times a week, mostly to help all us quilters stay connected and productive in these uncertain times.

First, a confession: Alex is a friend and I work for her and Ricky Tims on The Quilt Show, helping with the Block of the  Month quilts and other assorted tasks. So I an not an unbiased observer. BUT I have been a Star Member of The Quilt Show forever, handing over my money the first day I could, in 2007. Best money I can spend on quilting--I have learned so much and made many friends, worldwide, through our connection on The Quilt Show.

Many people have "found" Alex for the first time or for the first time in a long time with her Facebook Live posts. If you don't do Facebook, the great news is all of the videos are recorded and available on You Tube--Alex and Ricky Live

Starting tomorrow, Monday July 20, 2020, Alex will be teaching a Mystery Quilt, featuring some Kaffe Fassett fabrics along with lots of solids. Just so you know--Kaffe is pronounced like "Safe". You are invited to play along--I know you will learn things, have fun, and it's FREE.

Here is a Kaffe Brassica fabric, the kind Alex loves to use. This is not the one she is using for her quilt, just a colorway I really love:



Recently, Alex said quilters basically work in one of two ways. Some like to have a pattern, all fabrics in hand, and know exactly what they are making before they begin. Others just start and see what happens. Alex and I are in that later camp. Here is that process:

1.Come up with an idea
2. Select fabrics you want to play with
3. Start
4. Use a design wall to help you make decisions as you go

You can start at any time. Watch the videos and when you get inspired, start. The videos are all posted on YouTube whenever you want to watch.

Alex is calling this a Mystery Quilt because she doesn't know what it will look like until it's done--neither will you. Just use fabric you love and all will be well. If you just can't work that way, watch all the videos and when the Mystery Quilt is done, whenever that is, you can decide if you want to make it. Then Start.

For The Quilt Show members, we have a Forum topic where you can ask questions, post photos, and enjoy the process more with like-minded friends. This is especially helpful for those who don't do Facebook:  Forum--Kaffe Mystery Quilt--Learn with Alex

Here is a fabric pull for this project by JudySews, I found it on the Forum. These fabrics make me swoon:


Here comes my sales pitch again: The Quilt Show provides so much bang for your buck. Currently, they are offering a Stay At Home Special, 6 months for $19.95 or 12 months for $39.95. This offer is good for new Star Members AND those who want to  renew. You get access to ALL THE SHOWS FROM THE BEGINNING--that's 13 + years. The current Block of the Month pattern, Aftternoon Delight by Sue Garman, is FREE--an $80 bonus. And so much more. The four Master Classes, available right now for members, feature some of the best advice on Piecing and Applique--a chance to refresh our memories on all that great info available on the shows.

I hope you will take a look at both www.thequiltshow.com and Alex and Ricky's Playlist on YouTube. So much terrific content--plenty to get you inspired and productive.

Which type quilter are you? Have to know what you are making ahead of time? Or someone who takes an idea and gives it a try?

Let's quilt.

Barbara

27 comments:

  1. Great promo of the mystery quilt as well TQS! I have collected Kaffe at least 5 years now and have quite the stash...this mystery quilt intrigues me. I have to laugh though because we are opposites! I'm in the first group of quilters. Plan, organize, execute is the way I quilt. No flying by seat of my pants LOL So I will be watching/waiting.
    Thanks for sharing! I will miss seeing you in Houston :(

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  2. Barbara,
    I’m so glad I listened to you years ago and joined. Some of the best money I have ever spent!
    Brenda M

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    1. Thanks, Brenda. Let the world know.

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    2. Hi, I've been a member since Simply Quilts started & here we are years' down the track & I'm still a member, the name has changed but the content is even more fabulous & I still can't get enough. Lol. You learn so much it's like having a teacher right there with you & if you're not sure of something you can just re-watch the video's or send message. You, yourself have saved me with quite a few 'cheats' on how to do certain blocks. Love you all. Pauline

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  3. I found Alex and her books when I first began quilting--I will tune into Youtube to watch...I am the start and then search for the right fabric to go next...I find it difficult to pull everything first off..I always end up changing anyway...hahaha
    Thanks for the tip
    Hugs from afar Julierose

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  4. I agree about the tremendous value of belonging to The Quilt Show. I joined at the very beginning, and I alway learn something with each show. And the masterclasses are fabulous. I am plugging away on this year’s Sue Garman quilt, making nine patches today, as a matter of fact. I think I fall in the middle of the plan, no plan kind of quilter. Sometimes I do plan ahead, but sometimes even those plans fall apart.

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  5. I have been a member of TQS since 2008 when I found it online. Love it! I am a pattern follower but I am all ready for Alex's mystery because I will work outside my box both with fabric type and method so I am sure to learn new skills.

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  6. I just joined for 1 month trail. I like to change to 6 months instead. Is that possible? Thank you. Hugs,

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    1. Sandi, that is a perfect question for Customer Service. You can email or call them tomorrow. Their contact info is on the Home page.

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  7. Yep! Best Bang For Your Quilting Buck on the planet! ❤️

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  8. TQS is the BEST and that's how I first learned about you Barbara and started subscribing to your blog. I have not missed one of Alex' FB Live posts--they have sustained me and although I am no spring chicken (and also a subscriber to TQS from the beginning), I have learned so much from her sharing. I fit the category of 'just start and see what happens' which also makes me nervous, but a good sort of thrilling nervousness. LOL I look forward to seeing your progess on the mystery quilt which I am also taking part in (fabrics pulled, prepped and ready to go).

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    1. Oh, so people think I am making the Mystery quilt too? Don't plan to as I have too much on my plate at the moment, but I'll be watching.

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    2. While I will certainly miss seeing your take on the mystery quilt, I'll look forward to whatever else you may have coming along. Always inspiring!

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  9. During this time of isolation, seeing Alex being so upbeat and cheerful....laughing at herself when she makes a mistake...and so patiently trying to please us with close-up images of her working. She is so human and just so Alex. While I don't always get to watch her live, i do catch the youtubes later. And your posts Barbara are always so upbeat--such a welcome change from the negatvity I see elsewhere. Thank you to you both.....And I work in both methods for my art work---but Sequoia Sampler was the first time I have ever made a block Ales style.

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    1. Thanks, Sylvia--quilting is supposed to be fun as we make "gifts for generations yet unborn".

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  10. I fall into the pick fabric and see what happens kind of quilter.
    I've been a member of The Quilt Show on/off over the years and agree that it's a great investment for any quilter. Thanks Barbara for all you do to grow the community.
    Teri

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  11. Absolutely luv working this way where the end results are unpredictable. Don't have a lot of Kaffe fabrics but that isn't stopping me. I do have a fabric grouping that excites me and makes me happy. Now to get the latest quilt off the dezsign wall so I can start slapping up blocks! whoo hoo!

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  12. I joined The Quilt Show when a friend told me that Afternoon Delight would be the BOM. I have gotten so much more out of TQS than the BOM. I watch previous shows, Alex live, and classroom videos all while prepping my appliqué blocks for AD. The forums are an added bonus.I have learned so much! I only wish I would have subscribed sooner. Thank Barbara for all you do for TQS!

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  13. I always say that the Quilt Show has more content than I can ever watch. Truly. I work three jobs and really don't have alot of time but what I choose to watch is fantastic. The latest applique classes turned me on to Suzanne Marshall. I am now going to try her method of applique with her book that I just purchased. I usually make templates from hard template material but she doesn't. I can't wait to try it!

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  14. I like to take a pattern, change it up, and play on my design wall. i've been collecting Kaffe since 2012, I think. I'm planning to join, really good deal. Looking forward to quilting with Alex and her peeps.

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  15. I’m so excited to start the mystery quilt with Alex. I taped all her Simply Quilt shows. And I watch 3 times a week on line. I love her. Carmen Maldonado from Colorado Springs.

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  16. Barbara,
    Thanks for the video on how to join and contribute to a quilt show forum. Up till now I have lacked the confidence to go where ever the quilt takes me. This will be fun. Thanks also for hosting this site so all of going out on a limb can share. I'm thinking Alex`s previous scrap quilt presentation will be a very good lead in for the mystery adventure.

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  17. I make quilts from a pattern in which I like the quilt.I have never made a mystery quilt nor bought Kaffe Fabrics. So this will be a challenge for me.

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  18. I'm a bit late to this Mystery Quilt. How does Kaffe fabric play into it? Use for color choices by pulling colors from the prints or use the printed fabrics for your blocks?
    On another note I've been a member of TQS for many years. I'd say it's the best value for your money. I've been quilting for 19 years and I still learn new things from watching the shows.

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    1. Alex will use the Kaffe fabric in the quilt too. Alex now calls this “it’s a Mystery to Me” because she is designing as she goes, her usual design style.

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  19. I love being a TQS member. I haven't been a paid member every year, but when I can, I do! It's been a great source of inspiration and learning. Plus it's FUN! Really a lot of fun. It's so cool to watch all these quilters from all over the world, share their particular passion. Love it! :)

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