Magnolia Mystery Quilt ++ Blocks and Quilt Top Reveal

Welcome to the December Instructions for the Magnolia Mystery Quilt, this is the last month of instructions!

You will be getting both the block instructions and the quilt top finishing instructions this month (I joined the two together because once the blocks are made, I felt the design would become obvious).

You will have until February 15th to finish the quilt top or quilt to be entered into the reveal parade and for the giveaways (I will be posting tomorrow more information about this).

You can find all of the Magnolia Mystery Quilt information and posts can be found here.  We are having such fun, please join us!

Now that the Magnolia Mystery Quilt Along has been completed, you can get the instructions as part of the instruction blog posts or you can go to Etsy for a full set of easy to print pdf instructions for sale:

Magnolia Mystery Quilt - Full pdf Instructions on Etsy

The Magnolia Mystery Quilt contains instructions for both Lap and Queen sizes which are both included in this post:

Full Magnolia Blocks

Arrange and sew together the following fabric pieces and units as listed and shown below, pressing all seams open.  Each full magnolia block should measure 14 ½” x 14 ½” (lap), 21 ½” x 21 ½” (queen).  Repeat to make a total of 7 full magnolia blocks.

4 full flower units

1 fabric C square: 2 ½” x 2 ½” (lap), 3 ½” x 3 ½” (queen)

4 fabric D rectangles: 2 ½” x 6 ½” (lap), 3 1/2” x 9 ½” (queen) 

Partial Magnolia Blocks

Arrange and sew the following fabric pieces as listed and shown below, pressing all seams open.  Each partial magnolia block should measure 14 ½” x 14 ½” (lap), 21 ½” x 21 ½” (queen).  Repeat to make a total of 4 partial magnolia blocks.

1 full flower unit

1 right partial flower unit

1 left partial flower unit

1 fabric C square: 2 ½” x 2 ½” (lap), 3 ½” x 3 ½” (queen)

2 fabric D rectangles: 2 ½” x 6 ½” (lap), 3 ½” x 9 ½” (queen) 

Trimming the Partial Magnolia Blocks

The 4 partial magnolia blocks need to be trimmed leaving a ¼” seam allowance past the seam intersections.  

When you trim the partial magnolia blocks is a personal preference, you can trim them after the partial magnolia blocks are made, after the quilt top is pieced together, or after the quilt is quilted.  My personal preference is to trim the blocks after the quilt top is sewn together but before quilting.

The enlarged view below shows the actual trim line.  Note how the trim line does not go right through the seam intersections but leaves a ¼” seam allowance.  The trimmed partial magnolia block is illustrated without this seam allowance for ease of drawing (even though it is there).

Background Blocks and Setting Triangles

The Magnolia Mystery Quilt is assembled on-point.  Below are listed the exact measurements for the  setting triangles. I prefer to add a full inch to these measurements for my setting triangles then trim to size after the quilt top is sewn together.  If you would like to increase the size of your setting triangles, add about one inch to the measurements with a *.

LAP SIZE - CUTTING REMAINING FABRIC D

Note: if your fabric is at least 42 ½”, then you only need to cut 1 strip of 21 ⅛” x WOF and 3 strips of 14” x WOF.

1.  Cut 2 strips* 21 ⅛” x WOF.  (setting triangles)

         a. Sub-cut 2 squares* 21 ⅛” x 21 ⅛”.  

2. Cut 4 strips 14” x WOF. (border)

QUEEN SIZE - CUTTING REMAINING FABRIC D

1. Cut 2 strips* 31” x WOF. (setting triangles)

         a. Sub-cut 2 squares* 31” x 31”.  

2. Cut 5 strips 18” x WOF. (border)

         a. Sub-cut 1 strip into 2 half strips 18” x 20”.

         b. Reserve remaining 4 strips.  

SETTING TRIANGLES

Cut the squares 21 ⅛” x 21 ⅛” (lap), 31” x 31” (queen) in half twice on the diagonal to form 6 setting triangles (you will have 2 extra triangles).

Quilt Top Assembly

Arrange the blocks as listed and shown below.  Sew blocks into diagonal rows then sew rows together, pressing all seams open.  The quilt top should measure approx. 60” x 40” (lap), 89 ½” x 60” (queen).

7 full magnolia block

4 partial magnolia blocks

6 side setting triangles

Borders

LAP SIZE

1. Sew 2 fabric D strips 14'' x WOF together end-to-end. Repeat to make a total of 2 pieced top/bottom strips. 

Note: if your fabric was at least 42 ½” wide and you cut 3 strips, then cut one of the strips in half and sew 1 full and 1 half strip together end to end. Repeat to make a total of 2 pieced top/bottom strips. 

2. Measure the average width of the quilt top and trim the 2 pieced top/bottom strips to fit (approx. 60'').  Attach the borders to the top and bottom of the quilt top.

QUEEN SIZE

1. Sew 2 fabric D strips 18” x WOF and 1 fabric D strip 18” x 20'' together end-to-end. Repeat to make a total of 2 pieced top/bottom strips. 

2. Measure the average width of the quilt top and trim the 2 pieced top/bottom strips to fit (approx. 89 ½''). Attach the borders to the top and bottom of the quilt top.

Finishing

1.  Make backing:

LAP SIZE

Remove selvages from backing fabric, cut into 2 pieces (approx. 68” x WOF) and sew backing pieces together along the trimmed selvage edges using a ½” seam, pressing the seam open.  Trim backing to approx. 68” x 75”.

QUEEN SIZE

Remove selvages from backing fabric, cut into 3 pieces (approx. 98” x WOF) and sew backing pieces together along the trimmed selvage edges using a ½” seam, pressing seams open.  Trim backing to approx. 98” x 103”.

2.  Layer the quilt top, batting, and backing.   Baste and quilt as desired.

3.  Cut the binding fabric into 7 strips (lap), 10 strips (queen) 2 ½” x WOF.  Trim off selvages and sew together end-to-end to make the binding.  Bind and enjoy your quilt!

Share Your Quilt

You can share your in-progress and finished pictures of your mystery quilt on the Meadow Mist Designs Facebook group and on Instagram and other social media using #MagnoliaMysteryQuilt and #MeadowMistDesigns.

I will be posting instructions for entering the reveal parade and for the giveaways tomorrow :)

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