"The quilters follow the clues and find an old map that they believe leads to the treasure. But the map is incomplete and they're missing a crucial piece. As they work on their red and white surprise nine-patch blocks, they realize that the missing piece of the map might be hidden within the blocks themselves.
As Week 3 of the Red Sky by Night Mystery Quilt unfolds, the quilters find themselves immersed in a world of adventure and intrigue. Armed with the clues they've gathered, they set out on a quest to find the missing piece of the treasure map.
Following the trail of hints, the quilters embark on a journey through the woods and along the river's edge. Their determination leads them to a hidden spot where they uncover an old, weathered map. It's a thrilling moment as they realize this map might hold the key to uncovering the treasure they've been seeking."
Sewing Instructions
You will need the following from your cut pieces of fabric:
7 - red 2" strips by Width of Fabric (WOF)
7 - white 2" strips by WOF
17 - 3 ½" red squares
68 - 3 ½" white squares
These pieces will produce 17 surprise 9-patch blocks.
Making the Four Patch
Four patch units are one of the easiest blocks to make, and tradition has it that this was usually the first block taught to children learning to sew in previous centuries. If you're a new quilter, this is a good first block.
We're going to stay with the theme of a quick process to make many blocks. We will use the strips of red and white generally called the "strip set" technique.
Step 1: Sew together one white and one red strip together along the full length of the fabric using a 1/4" seam. Press towards to the red fabric.
Step 2: Trim the ends of the strip, then sub-cut the strip into 2" pieces. You should get either 20 or 21 2"x4" pieces out of one strip. See the picture below for an example. You will need a total of 136 2"x4" pieces.
Step 3: Sew two 2-piece units together to make your four-patch. Nest the seams together before you sew with opposite colors next to each other. Press and trim if necessary so the four-patch measures a 3 1/2" square. Repeat steps 1-3 until you have a total of 68 four-patch units.
Putting the Squares Together
Now it's time to sew the four-patch pieces and the red and white 3 1/2" squares together to form the surprise 9-patch block! This block is fast and easy, and you'll love the look in the quilt!
Step 4: Lay out your four-patch squares in the corners and be sure to position the white in each outer corner. Then place one red 3 1/2" square in the middle then fill in with four 3 1/2" squares.
Step 5: Sew the bottom three squares together into a row. Press the seams toward the inner squares. Then sew the middle three squares together into a row. Press the seams toward the outer square. Then sew the top three squares together into a row. Press the seams toward the inner square.
Next, sew each row together placing a pin in the nested seams to avoid slippage. Press the seams in any direction or you can press the seams open.
The finished block will measure 9 1/2" square.
Step 6: Repeat steps 1 through 5 to make a total of 17 surprise 9-patch blocks and then admire them until Clue #4 is revealed!
"Excitement fills the air as the quilters spread the map out before them. But their joy quickly turns to disappointment when they discover that a crucial section of the map is missing. It seems as though their quest has hit a roadblock.
Undeterred, the quilters rally together, determined to find a way forward. As they contemplate their next move, they shift their focus back to their quilting projects. This week, their task is to work on their red and white surprise 9-patch blocks.
As they stitch each piece together, a realization dawn upon them. The missing piece of the map might be hidden within the very fabric they are working with. With renewed excitement, they carefully examine the patterns and arrangement of their surprise 9-patch blocks, searching for any clues that might reveal the missing map section."
"The quilters gather around, comparing their blocks and discussing their findings. Each stitch, each seam, takes on new significance as they analyze the patterns and colors, hoping to unravel the mystery woven within.
As the week progresses, the quilters make exciting discoveries. They notice subtle variations in the fabrics, unique arrangements of the red and white squares, and symbols that seem to hint at the missing map piece. It becomes clear that their quilting journey is intertwined with the search for the treasure.
With a renewed sense of purpose, the quilters dive deeper into their projects, piecing together their nine-patch blocks with care and precision. Every stitch becomes a step closer to unraveling the mystery and completing the map.
As the week comes to an end, the quilters marvel at their progress. They have created beautiful surprise nine-patch blocks that hold the promise of revealing the missing piece of the treasure map. The excitement in the cabin eagerly anticipates the next clue and the continuation of their thrilling adventure.
With their quilts taking shape and the mystery deepening, the quilters are more determined than ever to unlock the secrets that lie within the Red Sky by Night Mystery Quilt. The missing piece of the map may be elusive, but their passion for quilting and their quest for the hidden treasure drive them forward.
As they bid each other farewell for the week, their hearts are filled with anticipation and a shared sense of purpose. The journey continues, and the quilters are ready to unveil the secrets hidden within their red and white creations."