Wednesday, May 31, 2023
Tuesday, May 23, 2023
FREDA FABRIC’S MURDER MYSTERY QUILT
By
Terry Koontz
The next afternoon Sargent Ripper went into Detective Stitches office to report what he had found out.
“Everyone’s alibi checked out just as they said but a couple of interesting items came to light.” said Ripper.
“A few facts first, one whoever did it either had a key or knew Mrs. Fabric well enough to be let in,” stated Stitches, “but we need a motive.”
“I may have one for you, sir.” responded Ripper. “Lee Longarm is a regular at the tavern. He is not only the mailman but is the local bookie. Freddie Fabric is one of his best customers and owes him a nice sum. Also, the phone call was to Mrs. Fabric’s lawyer. Mrs. Fabric was tired of Freddie’s gambling and was going to make a new will leaving everything to Jeannie Zipper.”
“Well, well,” said Stitches. “Go and arrest Freddy Fabric.”
Clue #6
Background
Cut 13 strips fo the borders Sew 7 strips together end to end for the outer border. Cut 2—-72 1/2” lengths for the sides and 2—-64 1/2” lengths for the top and bottom. For the middle border, sew together 2 set of 13 and 2 sets of 16 parallelogram blocks. You have all your pieces to solve your quilt top. Sew them together as shown.
Tuesday, May 16, 2023
Freda Fabric's Murder Mystery Quilt Clue #5
FREDA FABRIC’S MURDER MYSTERY QUILT
By
Terry Koontz
“Well, Mr. Longarm, what do you have to add and where were you last night?” Stitches inquired.
“Who me, I am just the mailman. What would I know?” muttered Lee.
“Where were you last night?”
“I was across the street at the Triangle Tavern.” said Lee.
“At what time.”
“From 6 to closing.”
Detective Stitches called Sargent Ripper over. “Check out everyone’s alibi and find out who Mrs. Fabric was talking to on the phone around 5:30.”
Clue #5
Green
Cut one 4” strip
Subcut 10—-4” sq.
Background
Cut one 4” strip
Subcut 10—-4” sq.
Cut five 3 1/2” strips
Subcut 60—-3 1/2” sq.
Using the 4” sq., make 20 HST.
Trim to 3 1/2” sq.
Take 2 HST and 2 3 1/2”background squares and sew together to create a
Make 10.
With flying geese, four-patch and 3 1/2” background squares, lay them out as shown
and sew together.
Make 10.
Tuesday, May 9, 2023
FREDA FABRIC’S MURDER MYSTERY QUILT
By Terry Koontz
Next, Detective Stitches turned to Jeannie. “When did you last see Mrs. Fabric?”
Jeannie responded, “Last Saturday when I was working. I didn’t work yesterday.”
“What did you do last night?”
“I was home with my husband. We had supper, watched a movie on the TV, then went to bed.”
“What time did you go to bed?”
“It was a little after nine.”
Detective Stitches walked over to Lola and Nancy. Lola blurted out, “We got here together. We don’t know anything.”
Nancy jumped in, “That’s what you think. I was on my way to the grocery store last night and noticed that the lights were on in the quilt shop.”
“What time was this?” Stitches quizzed.
“It was about a quarter to 8. I thought it was odd but figured Freda was working late. The lights were off when I drove by on my way home. At the grocery store, I ran into Minky, quilting friend, and of course we talk quilting. You know that new line from Northcott, she just bought some. She is making a diamond design quilt. It sounds wonderful. Minky will bring it to my house when she is finished. Lola, you will need to come over to see it. We could work on that new purse pattern that you have at the same time.”
“Excuse me,” Stitches interrupted. “Enough chit chat. What time did you go home?”
“Let me see, time slips away when you are talking about quilts. Maybe 8:30 or 9."
Clue#4
Dark Blue Background
Cut four 7” sq. Cut two 4 7/8” sq.
Subcut 20--7" sq.
Make 4 HST, using the 4 7/8” sq.
With a pencil, make a diagonal line on the 2 background squares. Match the squares up with
dark blue squares. Sew a 1/4” seam allowance to the left and the right of the drawn line. Cut on the drawn line and press.
With the dark blue print triangles, sew to the side of your sq in a sq. block
Freda Fabric’s Murder Mystery Quilt 2023 All right reserved by Fabric Junction and Sagebrush & Stitches. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission of Fabric Junction is prohibited.
Monday, May 1, 2023
Tuesday, April 25, 2023
FREDA FABRIC’S MURDER MYSTERY QUILT
By Terry Koontz
The police arrived. Detective Stitches announced himself and indicated that he was in charge. He went into the office to find that Freda had been stabbed with a pair of scissors. Nothing else appeared to be disturbed. Therefore, not a robbery he thought. He turned his attention to the 3 ladies, who now has been joined by Lee Longarm, the mailman.
“Who discovered the body?” he asked.
“I did.” replied Jeannie.
“We were here, too.” said Nancy.
“I was just delivering the mail when I saw the commotion and stop to look.” added Lee.
“I will talk to each of you in a moment. Sargent Ripper will take your names and contact information. Did she have any family?”
“Freda only has a son” Jeannie answered, “He is on his way.”
A few minutes later Freddie Fabric arrived at the quilt shop. He was followed by Nick Notions, the fabric sales representative.
Detective Stitches interviewed Freddie first. “When did you last see your mother, Mr. Fabric?”
“It was 5:00 p.m. when we closed for the day. She was waiting for Nick Notions, our sales rep. He was expected around 5:30.”
“Where did you go after that?” asked Stitches.
Freddie answered, “I went home, had supper, watched the news and went to bed.”
“Did anyone see you?”
“Not that I am aware of.”
Detective Stitches turned toward Nick and asked, “Did you get here at 5:30 and when did you leave?”
“Yes, I came about 5:30 and Freda was on the phone. I left just before 7.” replied Nick.
“What did you do after that?”
“I went to the café and had supper, then the hotel. I told Freda that I would be back in the morning to finish up and pick up my samples.”
“Did anyone see you?”
“Well, the waitress at the café will remember me. We talked for a short time, and I left a big tip. I said “hi” to the hotel clerk when I came in. After that I went to my room and went to bed.”
“What time did you get in?”
“About 8:30 or 9.”
Clue #3
Dark Blue print
Cut four 4 1/2” strips
Subcut 58—-2 1/2” x 4 1/2” rect.
Background
Cut seven 2 1/2” strips
Subcut 116—-2 1/2” sq.
Using the stitch n flip method, take a 2 1/2” sq. and match it with the rectangles 2 1/2” side. Sew
diagonally on the 2 1/2” sq. Trim and press. Make 58 sections as shown.
Take a 2 1/2” sq. and match it to the other end of the rectangle. Sew diagonally on the
2 1/2” sq. at the same angle as before. Make 58 sections as shown.
Sew this rectangle to the lt. blue version from clue #1 as shown. Make 58 blocks.
Freda Fabric’s Murder Mystery Quilt 2023 All right reserved by Fabric Junction and Sagebrush & Stitches. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission of Fabric Junction is prohibited.
Monday, April 24, 2023
Tuesday, April 18, 2023
Freda Fabric's Murder Mystery Quilt Clue #2
FREDA FABRIC’S MURDER MYSTERY QUILT
By Terry Koontz
Just as they were turning to leave, Jeannie Zipper turned the corner to come to work. “Good morning, Nancy and Lola. Haven’t seen you, ladies, in a while.” said Jeannie.
“Jeannie, the door is locked. Are you closed today?” responded Lola.
“Why, no, for I am on by way to work.” quipped Jeannie. “Here let me unlock the door for you.”
Jeannie unlocked the door and turned on the lights. Lola and Nancy followed her in. The shop was very quiet, and no one was around. Jeannie walked to the office. To her surprise, there was Freda on the floor motionless.
“Help---Help” she cried “Call 911. Something is wrong with Freda”
Lola and Nancy hurried to the commotion while grabbing their cell phones from their purse to call for help. There was Freda. Nancy called 911. Within minutes they hear the sirens, the ladies moved to the front door to meet the police.
Clue #2
Lt print
Cut two 6 1/2” strips
Subcut 10—-6 1/2” sq.
Med Blue
Cut seven 3 1/2” strips
Subcut 80—-3 1/2” sq.
Background
Cut three 5 1/4” strips
Subcut 20—-5 1/4” sq.
Cut four 6 1/2” strips
Subcut 40—-3 1/2” x 6 1/2” rect.
Using the sq in a sq, sew a background triangle to each side of the Lt. print 6 1/2” sq. as shown.
Make 10.
Square in a Square is adding a triangle to each side of a square. Find the center of the square and the base of the triangle. Match them together and sew. Do the same thing to the opposite side of the square.. Press. Repeat on the other 2 sides.
Using the med blue 3 1/2” sq. and the background 3 1/2” x 6 1/2” rect., sew together making 40 flying geese sections.
Flying geese is made from a rectangle and 2 squares. Sew a square at a diagonal to each short side of the rectangle.
Trim and press. Repeat for the other end.
Freda Fabric’s Murder Mystery Quilt 2023 All right reserved by Fabric Junction and Sagebrush & Stitches. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission of Fabric Junction is prohibited.
Monday, April 17, 2023
Tuesday, April 11, 2023
Freda Fabric's Murder Mystery Quilt
At Fabric Junction, we are excited about our new mystery quilt. This is the second one that we have done. This time we have a "Who done it" for you. We hope that you enjoy the characters, such as Freda and her son, Freddy or Nancy Needles and Lola Batik.
The fabrics that we are using are from Northcott's Something Blue and Toscana. We have a few kits left at junctionfabric.com but if you would like to use your own fabrics. Here are the yardages.
Main fabric is 1 5/8 yds.
Coordinate #1 is 1 1/3 yds.
Coordinate #2 is 1/2 yd.
Contrast is 1/8 yd.
Background and binding is 4 1/2 yds.
There are 6 clues to this mystery and clue #1 has been posted. The rest will be posted on the following Tuesdays. We hope that you join us on the journey to Freda Fabric's Murder and the Mystery Quilt, also.
Monday, April 10, 2023
Freda Fabric's Murder Mystery Quilt Clue #1
FREDA FABRIC’S MURDER MYSTERY QUILT
By Terry Koontz
It was a bright Tuesday morning in Quilter’s Haven. Nancy Needles and Lola Batik decided that today was the day that they would go to the Sweet Treats Quilt Shop. Later, they would have lunch at the local deli. Nancy arrived at 9:30 a.m. to pick up Lola and away they went.
Each was hoping to get some new ideas from Freda and her staff. Both Lola and Nancy could hardly wait to touch the fabrics. There is nothing like the feel of quality fabric. Sweet Treats Quilt Shop was owned by Freda Fabric and her son, Freddie. They always have new projects and kits tempting you to purchase. Between the very friendly staff and long arm quilting service, there was always something to inspire you.
It was just before 10:00 a.m. when Lola and Nancy arrived at the quilt shop. As they approached, they noticed the lights were not on. It looked closed.
“Did we come the wrong day?” said Nancy.
“I don’t think so.” replied Lola “Let’s stop anyway and check. It is strange though.”
Nancy parked the car. They got out and headed for the front door.
“It is locked.” stated Nancy bewilder.
Clue #1 Med. Blue print
Cut four 4 1/2” strips
Subcut 58—-2 1/2” x 4 1/2” rect.
Background
Cut seven 2 1/2” strips
Subcut 116—-2 1/2” sq.
Freda Fabric’s Murder Mystery Quilt 2023 All right reserved by
Fabric Junction and Sagebrush & Stitches. Reproduction in whole
or part without written permission of Fabric Junction is prohibited