Unraveling the Mystery: Bonnie Hunter’s Annual Quiltville Mystery Quilt
Every year, quilters around the globe eagerly await the day after Thanksgiving—not just for leftovers and Black Friday sales, but for the start of Bonnie Hunter’s Annual Mystery Quilt! Hosted on her Quiltville blog, this highly anticipated event is a quilting adventure that promises creativity, challenges, and a sense of community. This year she started a week early, due to the fact that she will be traveling on Black Friday. That being said, she just released her first clue and it’s not too late for you to join the mystery! Learn all about it here!
On Ringo Lake 2017 Good Fortune 2018 Here are two of the Bonnie Hunter mystery quilts I have made over the years. The orange and blue one is titled On Ringo Lake and was the 2017 mystery quilt. The red, blue, green, and yellow one is titled Good Fortune from 2018. How cute are my daughter and her boyfriend modeling these quilts for me?
How the Mystery Quilt Works
The journey begins around Halloween each year when Bonnie releases her color scheme and color inspiration. This year, she was inspired by things she saw on a trip to Poland. Then, at the end of November, she releases the fabric requirements and the first set of instructions. Over the following weeks, she posts step-by-step clues, guiding participants through the construction of a stunning quilt. The twist? You don’t know what the final design will look like until the very end!
Each clue introduces new blocks or assembly techniques, keeping quilters guessing and building anticipation. Whether you follow Bonnie’s color palette suggestions or choose your own, the process encourages creativity and trust in the process.
Why Join the Mystery?
Bonnie’s Mystery Quilts are more than just a project—they’re a masterclass in quilting. I became a much better piecer after making her mystery quilts. Here’s why so many quilters return year after year:
- Skill Development: The intricate designs and diverse techniques challenge you to grow as a quilter. You’ll learn new methods and refine your precision with each clue.
- Community Connection: Thousands of quilters participate and share their progress online, creating a vibrant and supportive community. It’s a chance to make new quilting friends and feel inspired by others’ interpretations.
- Sense of Accomplishment: Solving the mystery and unveiling the final design is a thrill! The sense of pride in completing such a complex project is unmatched.
Bonnie recommends using different shades of the main colors, so rather than buying yardage of the red, turquoise, or even neutral fabric, she makes it scrappy. At first I was skeptical of this, but just trust her on this one. It adds so much depth to the quilt! Here I have pulled some fat quarter bundles in different shades of reds. Any of these would work beautifully in this year’s mystery quilt! You can find these bundles by clicking here!
These beautiful white, cream, and neutral bundles are perfect for this year’s Bonnie Hunter Mystery Quilt! You can find these bundles by clicking here!
Becoming a Better Quilter
Bonnie’s mysteries aren’t just about making a quilt—they’re about the journey. The weekly clues teach patience, adaptability, and the joy of tackling a challenge one step at a time. By the time the quilt is revealed, you’ll not only have a masterpiece but also newfound confidence in your skills.
Bonnie has her own website and a page completely dedicated to the mystery. She will post all of her clues there and you just have to print them out. You can find the page by clicking right here! It is such a fun process – you should definitely consider sewing along! If you’re looking for something to keep you busy through the holidays and winter – this is it!!
Here are a couple more bundles to consider. The turquoise fat quarter bundle can be found here and the coral charm pack can be found here.
I’ve added some fabric suggestions to help you get started—whether you follow Bonnie’s palette or create your own twist. So, gather your fabric, set your rotary cutter to work, and join the fun. The mystery awaits!
Happy sewing!
‘Til next time!
Beth
P.S. Don’t forget to check out the Nancy’s Notions homepage! That’s where you can find all of the categories leading you to hundreds, yes, hundreds of articles all about quilting and sewing! I think of our website as a super fun sewing magazine – it’s just online and it’s free! Click here!
Enjoyed your description of the mystery. I am playing along again this year and have already improved my flying geese!