Did one at a shop in Knoxville when I first started quilting. I picked the primary fabric and the instructor picked the rest of the fabric. Instructor had all the pieces cut of and sorted in a colored bag and asked that we not 'look' ahead so we only knew what the additional fabrics were as we reached that step in the lock construction. Had a good time and it was beautiful. I did not pay attention to the finished size (which was maybe 72X72). After construction, I sent it to a LAQ and then decided to 'grow' it into a queen size. When finished, I was very pleased, but could never have increased the size without the help at the shop.
Best part as a beginner, it took the choice of colors,fabric out of my hands (which I really dither over) and all pieces were cut for me!!

All of these are gorgeous and the surprise comes at the end.

ok, here is my New Years Day one....y'all have already seen it, but for newbies :)
and I am in for the one in april but will use greens as I do not have blues

ok cannot get it to post today

What I've learned about mysteries. I've done a few and most of them turn out great. I did a couple and not impressed. So, what I do now is check the site hosting the mystery (to see if they have done previous ones). If their previous quilts are "my" idea of pretty, I might go ahead with it. If it seems too simple (for me that is) or not my taste, I pass. This way I'm not disappointed and feel like I wasted fabric.

I recently discovered Bonnie Hunter and am still working on her Orca Bay Mystery. Very detailed (I like a challenge) but when I saw the finished quilt, I was blown away and can't wait to finish mine. I did check her site and liked what I saw so knew the quilt would be beautiful.

I have done several Mystery quilts over the last 10 years. I also am doing the 3 part mystery in the McCalls Magazine. Can't wait to get the last step. I already have steps 1 and 2 completed. I'm moving on to scrap quilts now, because I have several large boxes of scraps.

I have started one, but did not finish it at the retreat. It is on my WIP list.

I'm doing my first one now, from the AQS magazine... it's called "rainbow rotini" Seemed like it would be fun, and I took it as a challenge to use up some stuff from my stash, and not to buy anything (however, I miscalculated on one fabric, and did have to go buy something to match ... the best laid plans ....)

I'm not sure I like the process here tho, cuz it's done over 3 issues, and won't be finished until JULY!!! I don't really like having a project partially done, except for when I put something aside while I decide on the next step -- like what to use for a border, or how to quilt it. I don't have any UFOs other than that. Guess I"m a little obsessive that way -- once I start something, I like to finish it. So this Mystery Quilt process from a magazine may drive me nuts ...

I'm doing a BOM Mystery Quilt from Fat Quarters. Each block is harder than the first. I had to skip one block because it had 81 pieces and I knew when I got done with it, it would be no where near 12 1/2". They send me a package with all the fabric for the block and the pattern. I like this one. I'm also doing a couple of others from different stores where they are pre-packaged and sent to me each month and am not liking the fabric. I didn't know anything about the Super Bowl Mystery Quilt. I am thinking about doing the McCall's one though. I do many BOMs and they are always a mystery because I don't know what it is going to look like in the end. But I would like to pick my own fabric. I am doing a BOM mystery quilt at Craftsy that is free and it's taped and she's showing how easy each block is. This one I got to choose my own fabric. I really like this Craftsy.com one the best. If you go to the site, click on quilting and you'll see the free one. She's does two blocks a month and she's on month 2. Started in January. You can start from the beginning. You have to have so many FQs to begin with and a main color also. The blocks look hard, but she is the bomb at showing you how to make them really easy.

Yes, I've done two. At the LQS, someone said they just collected all the instructions and then did it at the end. Which might be a plan. I enjoyed them but, due to cost of fabric I don't think this year I'll do it. Last year's fabric cost me a bundle - but I was working then. Both were Debbie Caffrey projects and last year she came to our unveiling and did some talks, etc. My favorite of the two is called Pieceful Times" probably because I like that fabric better!

I'm planning to do one but at this time can't use my right hand until the hand is healed completely. i'm going nuts waiting to start something. I even copied the mystery crochet from bernat i did one before and loved it. i have some fabric cut out for a quilt have some cut out and I'm noy supposed to be typing I am using the left hand it just takes to long to keep fixing. have fun ladies i'll say bye for now. Sue