Autumn Splendor - Introduction

Due to popular demand, I am introducing this year's mystery.  With all of the medical craziness that has been in our home since May, I had pretty much talked myself out of doing a mystery this year.  However, I am a toothless wonder stuck in my house so, why not?



For those who are new to a mystery:  This post releases the colors and yardage.  Beginning on September 1 and each Saturday from then until we are finished, a "clue" will be released and posted in my blog and linked in the Facebook groups.  (If you  sign up for the email notifications, you'll know the minute the post is live.)  It is basically a step in the making of the quilt top.  You will be given cutting and sewing instructions for the week and can post your progress so that we can all share in the excitement.  NO, you do not get to see what the quilt will look like until the big reveal at the end.  You just have to trust and rest assured that you will learn something and perhaps challenge yourself a bit.  It's a learning process right?  At all times, you can reach the clues via the Summary page which has a tab at the top of the blog and a link

So, with that - - -

I'm a redhead!  Yep, stating the obvious.  All of my life I have been drawn to the colors of fall.  It is also my absolute favorite season.  The temperatures mellow and the rich colors just come alive.  Attending several retreats each autumn always has me returning to a change in the yard and stopping me in my tracks to take pictures of the magnificence.

One year, for our anniversary, I asked my sweetheart if we could go to New England and be "leaf peepers" for a week.  Imagine my amazement when he agreed and we were able to visit five states during October.  Oh the incredible beauty.

But even more than the red are the golds

and oranges

 Yes, I know --- there are those who are not pulled into this palette.  I get it.  If you are one of them, please choose one that you will love and still play along.  I am using brown in this quilt, but for many brown is just not a great color --- substitute green -- I have even included a color card if you wish to do that.  Are you ready?  Here we go on our Autumn Splendor journey.  I chose from the Behr pain samples at Home Depot if you wish to grab some yourself.  One set is a bit more muted than the other, but both are relatively similar.  The numbers of the cards are listed below with each color yardage requirement.  I am giving yardage for two sizes of tops.  One will finish at approx. 77" x 95" and the smaller one will be approx. 59" x 77".  That is the smallest I can go and not lose the pattern entirely.  As it is, they will be slightly different.

 Now, we all know that I am on a fabric fast.  Do I even have what it will take to put this together?  Out to studio I go --- and within half an hour, I have found all but one fabric.  One, I can deal with and go make a purchase.  Apparently, I am out of oranges.  What do you think?  Now, before you start getting confused --- the green and the multi on the side are my possible bindings and I'm REALLY leaning towards the multi for it.  They are NOT part of the yardage unless you change out brown for green.  By the way, I ALWAYS add yardage for you to allow for mistakes.

 Color 1:  Wine or Burgundy. (This picture looks way more purple than it is -- look above).  Behr color card Spiced Wine PPU1-13. (Secondary card with four options is M140B and I like the Dark Crimson on it.)  You will need 2 yards for the large and 1 1/2 yards for the smaller.

 Color 2:  Gold.  Behr color card Saffron Strands  PPU6-02 (Secondary card with four options is P250B and I like the Splendor Gold.)  You will need 2 yards for the large and also for the smaller.

Color 3:  Brown (and here is where you can substitute green if you REALLY hate brown).  Behr color cardPPU3-20 Cinnabark.  (Secondary card is N190B and my preference would be the Moose Trail.)  IF you wish to go green instead a good Behr card is PPU9-23 Oregano Spice.  (The secondary card would be S360B and I would think any of them would work beautifully.)  You will need 2 yards for the large and 1 1/2 yard for the smaller.

Color 4:  Orange and I found that the fabric I had was slightly more vivid than the card I had selected.  However, I LOVE it.  These are not set in stone -- do what makes your heart happy.  The Behr card is PPU3-02 Marmalade Glaze with a secondary card of P220B and I adore the Construction Zone choice there.  Ideally, perhaps a pumpkin???  Yardage requirements are 2 yards for the large and 1 1/4 for the smaller.

Color 5:  Neutrals.  I am going scrappy here.  Of course.  You really didn't think I'd make it all the way without any scrappiness, did you?  If you find some neutral with a bit of green, that could be fun too.    I went with creamier colors for the warmth -- the toasty ones were just a bit too dark but you are more than welcome to use them.  My Behr card is PPu4-09 Cafe Cream with the secondary card being N260A and me leaning towards the Vanilla Mocha.  Total yardage here will be 3 1/2- 4 yards for the larger and 2 yards for the smaller.  Yep, it's a major player.

Now, remember those other two fabrics that were in the picture.  I have enough of either for binding.   It's just me -- always planning far ahead.  The multi has wines/oranges/golds/greens/and cream in it.  Seems perfect.  Time will tell and the green is darker than the card.  The one in the multi is more appropriate, I think.

Last thing - TOOLS!!  I will be using the Easy Angle Ruler and the Tri-Recs Tools.  If you have them, great.  If you prefer a different method, great.  I will tell you ahead that the Tri-Recs tools are only used in the making of 17 units (9 for the smaller quilt).

Well, that's it.  Are you game?  If so, now is the time to check out the stash and go get cards if you need them.  The countdown begins and we have 13 days before we start.  On your mark, get set, GO!