Retreat/Mini Retreat: Mystery Project 2.0 - Preparation and Supplies

While our Quilting Retreat and Mystery Retreat have been cancelled, we think it would be fun to still do our Mystery Project together.

We will be publishing the directions for our project here on the blog NEXT Friday, April 3.

But before you get the directions, here is a list of supplies that you will need to have on hand.

General Supplies

Typical sewing supplies - 

• sewing machine (straight stitch machine is ok), 
• thread, 
• cutting tools, 
• mat, 
• seam ripper, 
• pins or wonder clips, etc

Project supplies - 

• (2) - 9" squares quilting cotton. 1 for outside and 1 for inside. Can be the same or different. 
• Both fabrics will be visible. Choose fabric that makes you happy.
• 1 - 9" square woven fusible interfacing. I use Pellon SF-101, known as Shape-Flex.
• 1 - 9" square single-sided fusible fleece. I use Pellon 987F (low-loft) or Pellon Thermolam (extra-lofty).
• 1 - 5" square ultra firm single sided fusible stabilizer. I use Pellon Peltex 71F. 

The above interfacings may seem very specific, but this is what I have found to give the best results. However, if you don't have access to these products, use what you have and let us know how it goes. We are all learning from each other. 

• A press cloth to use with the interfacing. Ex. applique pressing sheet, teflon sheet or a piece of cotton fabric (muslin) that is larger than 9".
• Marking tool - I use a mechanical lead pencil or the marks can be ironed in.
• Hand sewing needle to bury threads.
• Contrasting or Complimentary thread for topstitching if desired.

Construction

This project should take about an hour. The longest part is fusing the interfacings.

My fusing technique using the products above is different than the Pellon directions. I use a dry iron (no steam) set to wool, spray water on the quilting cotton and place a fabric press cloth (muslin) over the unit and press for about 10-15 seconds. It is sometimes necessary to make another pass after the first fusing. Use the technique that works for you.

For this project, using fusible products, it is very important to  always make sure that the fusible product is glue side down on the wrong side of the fabric!

From Pellon website - https://pellonprojects.wordpress.com/2012/08/01/which-side-is-fusible/
1. Generally speaking, the fusible side is usually the rough or shiny side of the interfacing.
2. Most Pellon® fusibles have an adhesive dot on them. While a little difficult to see on the white products, you can normally feel them. Run your fingers over both sides of the interfacing. The side that feels a little rough, or raised, is the fusible side.

This list is also available as a pdf download here.