Mystery Paper Piecing Quilt Block Challenge: Week 1

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It’s time for your very first week of the National Quilters Circle Mystery Paper Piecing Quilt Block Challenge! Are you ready for the reveal? We sure are! This week you will be getting some basic instructions, and the pattern for block one.

Over the course of six weeks, we will be creating the Mystery Ice Crystals quilt pattern, designed by the talented Toby Lischko.

Looking for fabric requirements? Find them here!

Click the button below to download a PDF with instructions for week one. Make sure to share your progress in the Quilt Block Challenge Facebook Group – we can’t wait to see everyone’s work!

Make sure to print at 100% to ensure the correct sizing of your blocks. Do not scale the pattern or fit to page.

If you haven’t signed up for the Quilt Block Challenge, there’s still time! You can sign up here to make sure you get the block assignments delivered to your inbox each week. And make sure to visit Toby’s quilt gallery to see more of her beautiful work!

Other blocks from this challenge:

Mystery Paper Piecing Quilt Block Challenge: Fabric Requirements
Mystery Paper Piecing Quilt Block Challenge: Week 1
Mystery Paper Piecing Quilt Block Challenge: Week 2
Mystery Paper Piecing Quilt Block Challenge: Week 3
Mystery Paper Piecing Quilt Block Challenge: Week 4
Mystery Paper Piecing Quilt Block Challenge: Week 5
Mystery Paper Piecing Quilt Block Challenge: Finishing Instructions

Discussion
  • (will not be published)

209 Responses to “Mystery Paper Piecing Quilt Block Challenge: Week 1”
    • Helen Bugni

      If you can, see if Carol Doaks has a you tube video, or get her beginner book. Her step by step instructions are so helpful. And her newsprint paper you can put into your copier is good as well. Once you get the hang of it, I expect you will not find it so daunting. I enjoy paper piecing very much, my friends who learned with me – not so much. But give it a try. Good to have the ‘add a quarter ruler, a postcard, and sharp rotary cutter. I would suggest getting all these along with the book, do a sample and then give this a try. They have started us with an easy one. I hope you come to enjoy it.

      Reply
    • Customer Service

      Hello,

      There is not a video sent out with each block, however Ashley will be live on Facebook tomorrow to talk about the first block. Our Facebook site is “NQC Quilt Block Challenge.”

      Enjoy!

      Becky
      National Quilters Circle Video Membership

      Reply
      • Customer Service

        Hello Sandy,

        You will want to make 1 of this block.

        Thanks,

        Becky
        National Quilters Circle Video Membership

        Reply
      • Customer Service

        Hello Diane,

        Yes, you will want to make 1 of the first block.

        Thanks,

        Becky
        National Quilters Circle Video Membership

        Reply
      • azloveit

        The block consist of four smaller ones making one larger block when done. Being new at this I confused the 4 little ones as 1 block each.

        Reply
  8. Kristine

    Something is not right between the template pieces & the PP block. B/BR & C/CR FINISHED size (or solid line on template) is longer on one leg of the triangle when you overlay it onto the PP block. Lots of frustrated comments on FB right now. Please investigate & respond to all members of the challenge

    Reply
    • Customer Service

      Hello Kristine,

      This post has been corrected with the correct pattern.

      Thanks,

      Becky
      National Quilters Circle Video Membership

      Reply
    • Customer Service

      Hello Sandy,

      There is not a video sent out with each block, however Ashley will be live on Facebook tomorrow to talk about the first block. Our Facebook site is “NQC Quilt Block Challenge.”

      Enjoy!

      Becky
      National Quilters Circle Video Membership

      Reply
  14. Debbie

    Is there a video for week 1. I have paper pieced before but not using freezer paper. was hoping to see this technique

    Reply
    • Customer Service

      Hello Debbie,

      Ashley was live on Facebook on Saturday. Our Facebook site is “NQC Quilt Block Challenge.

      Thanks,

      Becky
      National Quilters Circle Video Membership

      Reply
  15. SpinWeaver

    Hi, Toby sent a link before regarding purchasing fabric, however, I just got paid today and wanted to order.

    Reply
  17. Angela

    The B blocks from the paper piecing template and from the regular template are different shapes and sizes. Which one is correct?

    Reply
  20. LISA

    This might be less stressful if a 1″ reference square were printed on the template pages. so we can verify our print is sized correctly.

    Reply
  26. tblair4854

    I just found the pattern and I am a little nervous but ready to go. As soon as my kit arrives. I did watch the video on paper piercing and I feel like I can do it. Thank you

    Reply
  27. Lisa

    Not a fan of paper removal but this looks fun. One thing I do like is the precise piecing as I tend to drift. Maybe I will learn a few tricks. Love her quilts!

    Reply
  29. Theresa

    The template pieces when cut out to use to cut and save fabric do not seem to match up to the block angles at all. When cutting templates out, do we add an additional 1/4” to the one already printed?

    Reply
  30. Theresa

    When I cut out the template like it says to do to save fabric, it does not match up to the foundation pattern. Do we need to add an additional 1/4” to the already printed line?

    Reply
    • Customer Service

      Hello Theresa,

      This post has been corrected with the correct pattern.

      Thanks,

      Becky
      National Quilters Circle Video Membership

      Reply
      • Maria Almada

        Where I can find the corrected pattern? I did finish block one, but it is smaller than what it is supposed to be

        Reply
        • Customer Service

          Hello Maria,

          This post has been updated with the corrections for week 1.

          Thanks,

          Becky
          National Quilters Circle Video Membership

          Reply
  41. Kaye Stuart

    So excited to do this paper piecing quilt. I am fairly new to quilting and have never done a quilt like this before. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  42. Freda Lumgair

    Question on assigning colorist, have I missed this in the instructions. We have fat quarters and two pieces of longer yardage. How should we be assigning the A B etc?

    Reply
    • Customer Service

      Hi Freda,

      The letters are not associated with the colors, rather they correspond with the templates. The colors suggested are ‘light’ and ‘dark’ and are indicated by the shading on the paper piecing patterns.

      Cheers,

      Ashley
      National Quilters Circle Video Membership

      Reply
  43. Susan Charles

    Instructions came in 149% size, so had to reduce to 100% to print….is this effecting the size of my pattern?

    Reply
    • Customer Service

      Hello Susan,

      Nope, you do want your printer to be at 100%.

      Thanks,

      Becky
      National Quilters Circle Video Membership

      Reply
  46. Kay

    Well, patterns are printed and I’m ready to start bright and early tomorrow. Looks like fun?

    Reply
    • Customer Service

      Hello Debra,

      Block 1 is located within this post. Simply click on the blue Download Pattern button about 1/2 down the page to start the download process.

      Thanks,

      Becky
      National Quilters Circle Video Membership

      Reply
  48. Charlene Cairn

    I haven’t done much foundation piecing, so this will be something of a learning experience.

    Reply
  50. Nancy Horan

    I love paper peicing. I is my favorite way to piece because your blocks always come out exactly right. To Katherine, once you learn the process it is easy.

    Reply
    • Customer Service

      Hello Marguerite,

      You will want to make one of this block.

      Thanks,

      Becky
      National Quilters Circle Video Membership

      Reply
  52. Elizabeth Thiebaud

    First time paper piecing. Haven’t picked out my fabrics yet. Loving all the pictures being posted.

    Reply
  53. Diana

    Please email the block challenge weekly. I am having trouble with my computer, I can get my email on my phone. Thank you

    Reply
  54. Kenna

    Can’t wait to get started! I hope it turn out well but if there are a “few” flaws, I will have learned a lot by completing it.

    Reply
  60. ALEXA LITTLE

    Hi, I have just printed the pages for Block one but when I compared the Templates with the Paper Pieced pattern sections the size of the B and C pieces don’t match. If the pieces cut from the Templates are stitched together the seam between B and C is not in the same position as that corresponding seam on the Paper Pieced pattern. That being the case, if I cut out fabric pieces, using the Templates as suggested, piece C wouldn’t be large enough to cover the the Paper Piecing Pattern (and piece B would be too big). Also the Template for A is reversed (a mirror image) if it is to fit with the B and C pieces as they currently appear on the page. I have done some paper piecing before so I am aware of the technique, and could probably work out a way to compensate for the differences, but it would be very difficult, and very frustrating, for a complete novice to this technique. I believe some of these patterns are incorrect and need to be redrawn.

    Reply
    • Customer Service

      Hello Alexa,

      This post has been corrected with the correct pattern.

      Thanks,

      Becky
      National Quilters Circle Video Membership

      Reply
  61. Angele Robichaud

    First, thank you for organizing and sharing a free mystery quilt. As I am prepping for a quilting weekend I’ll get everything ready to sew for that. I have paper pieced before but I always enjoy improving my techniques.

    Reply
  65. Linda

    Looks like some people are changing the assembly of the pieces. Is that going to effect other squares?

    Reply
  68. Diana Thomas

    I was totally going to skip this challenge because paper piecing always sounded too complicated and time consuming but after watching Ashley’s introductory video, I’m excited to give it a try. Thanks for the inspiration!!

    Reply
    • Customer Service

      Hello Maria,

      We are sorry to hear that you were not able to download the block. Please try clearing out your cache/internet history or try another browser.

      Hope this helps,

      Becky
      National Quilters Circle Video Membership

      Reply
  77. Carolyn Wood

    Glad I have some extra fabric incase of goofs 🙂 First time paper piecing, looking forward to the challenge!!

    Reply
  80. Donna

    Signed up twice,joined the Facebook group. Still no email with instructions, though I was able to download the pattern and have made the first block.

    Reply
    • Customer Service

      Hello Donna,

      We are sorry to hear that you did not receive the email. Please make sure to check your junk/spam folder to see if the email went in there.

      Thanks,

      Becky
      National Quilters Circle Video Membership

      Reply
  81. Sue

    I have read through the instructions and I have a question. Are all 3 templates A, B and C to be cut out of the same material? (I am going with the 9 Fat Quarter of Dark and Light fabric)

    Reply
    • Customer Service

      Hi Sue,

      No- not necessarily. The instructions tell you which ones to cut from the light fabric and which to cut from the dark fabric.

      Cheers,

      Ashley
      National Quilters Circle Video Membership

      Reply
    • Customer Service

      Hello Lois,

      You will want to make 1 block.

      Thanks,

      Becky
      National Quilters Circle Video Membership

      Reply
  88. Narcis

    I’m confused. PDF? Is that automatic when we down load the pattern?
    Is the current one correct? Or is it the one with the mistake?

    Reply
    • Customer Service

      Hello Narcis,

      This post has been corrected with the correct pattern.

      Thanks,

      Becky
      National Quilters Circle Video Membership

      Reply
  89. Bev Bolduc Aldridge

    Why does this block pattern for week 1, not have the changes and 1″ square to check for pattern accuracy?

    Reply
    • Customer Service

      Hello Bev,

      This post has been corrected with the correct pattern.

      Thanks,

      Becky
      National Quilters Circle Video Membership

      Reply
    • Customer Service

      Hello Toney,

      We are sorry to hear that you are not able to download the pattern. Please try clearing out your cache/internet history or try accessing using a different browser.

      Thanks,

      Becky
      National Quilters Circle Video Membership

      Reply
  92. Lynda Elkind

    I never got the email! My question is there are 5 weeks and 5 blocks, how do we get a square quilt?

    Reply
    • Customer Service

      Hello Lynda,

      Please make sure to check your junk/spam folder to see if the email went in there. Each week is a little different and may come out with more then one block. You will end out with a completed quilt when you are done.

      Thanks,

      Becky
      National Quilters Circle Video Membership

      Reply
  96. Betsy

    I STILL can’t find the corrected pattern for Block 1. After 2 hours, I am about to give up. Why can’t you replace the old file with an ‘Updated’ copy? and make it easy for everyone. On Facebook all I can get to is the videos from old quilts.

    Reply
  97. Barb

    Have not paper pieced before. I picked up a pattern not realizeing what it was and promised it to my son. I hope I can learn, good enough.

    Reply
  102. Carolyn Friederichs

    What is the website to get pdf patterns for the challenge. I not getting patterns

    Reply
    • Customer Service

      Hello Carolyn,

      The challenge is sent out weekly through email. Please make sure to check your junk/spam folder to see if the emails are going in there. They are also posted on our Facebook site “NQC Quilt Block Challenge.

      Thanks,

      Becky
      National Quilter Circle Video Membership

      Reply
    • Customer Service

      Hello Hazel,

      Here is the link to sign up for the challenge.
      ​https://go.nationalquilterscircle.com/a15217/

      Enjoy!

      Becky
      National Quilters Circle Video Membership

      Reply
    • Customer Service

      Hello Gail,

      Unfortunately, when Ashley goes live on Facebook that is the only way to view those videos.

      Thanks,

      Becky
      National Quilters Circle Video Membership

      Reply
    • Customer Service

      Hello Lilly,

      There is no video, however Ashley did go live on Facebook last Saturday. The Facebook page is “NQC Quilt Block Challenge.”

      Thanks,

      Becky
      National Quilters Circle Video Membership

      Reply
  110. Ann Mackenzie

    First time paper piecing, is this English PP or Foundation PP please? I see from questions and comments on NQC FB page that there is a correction for this block, where do I source it please? I am looking forward to learning this and hope I do not have too many anxious moments! Many thanks

    Reply
    • Customer Service

      Hello Ann,

      This is Foundation Paper Piecing. The post has been updated with the corrected pattern.

      Thanks,

      Becky
      National Quilters Circle Video Membership

      Reply
    • Customer Service

      Hello Jerri,

      This post has been corrected with the correct pattern.

      Thanks,

      Becky
      National Quilters Circle Video Membership

      Reply
    • Customer Service

      Hello Leslie,

      No, it is not too late to sign up. Here is the link to sign up for the challenge.
      ​https://go.nationalquilterscircle.com/a15217/

      Thanks,

      Becky
      National Quilters Circle Video Membership

      Reply
  116. Gwenfyl Jones

    Looking forward to making Ice Crystal mystery free quilt pattern, I have finished first block

    Reply
  117. Claudette

    Block # 1 can be assembled in different ways. In the end does will it make a difference or does it matter which way we put it together or is it preferable that we follow the way it was put together on the pattern given.

    Reply
  118. Beverly

    First time paper piecing and found it somewhat confusing. After much research and video watching finally figured it out and it was actually fun. After getting my square together though, it was not to size. It was actually also a full inch smaller. Don’t know if pattern piece was to size. Can we have a reference square in the next installment so we know that the pieces are copying to the correct size. Other than that, I’m enjoying the process and the look of the block. looking forward to the next one.

    Reply
  119. Beverly

    I see from some of the other comments that there is a corrected pattern on Facebook. How do I get the corrected pattern if I’m not of facebook?

    Reply
    • Customer Service

      Hello Beverly,

      The download within this link has been updated with the update pattern.

      Thanks,

      Becky
      National Quilters Circle Video Membership

      Reply
  121. Angie Dooley

    Is there a way to post the time zone and time of the day that the next pattern will be released? IMO this would take care of a ton of complaints.

    Reply
    • Customer Service

      Hello Angie,

      They are sent out weekly through email on Fridays at 3pm CST.

      Thanks,

      Becky
      National Quilters Circle Video Membership

      Reply
  122. Peggy

    New to paper piecing and looking forward to this weekly challenge as a real challenge for learning how to do paper piecing.

    Reply
  123. 2r2tnoe

    I am looking for the video on paper piecing the first block. I can’t find it and I have tried several search criteria. Thank you.

    Reply
  126. Betsy moulis

    Having a difficult time locating correct website and PP 2019 challenge. What is the correct and speedy way to locate it and also FILE (where members say it can be found) on my IPAD? Thank you.

    Reply
    • Customer Service

      Hello Betsy,

      The challenge is sent out weekly through email. Block 2 will be sent out by email today around 3pm CST. You can also access the information on our Facebook Group “NQC Quilt Block Challenge.”

      Thanks,

      Becky
      National Quilters Circle Video Membership

      Reply
    • Customer Service

      Hello Linda,

      Block 2 will be sent out by email today around 3pm CST.

      Thanks,

      Becky
      National Quilters Circle Video Membership

      Reply
  133. Judy Neal

    still trying to decide if I want to try…….maybe if I do will try to put on facebook
    have no idea how to pick out the colors I have some batiks in a small stash

    Reply
  135. Donna

    I saw on face book that the 1 st block was wrong and a new corrected block was printed for paper piecing..Which one is correct?

    Reply
    • Customer Service

      Hello Donna,

      This post has been updated with the corrections.

      Thanks,

      Becky
      National Quilters Circle Video Membership

      Reply
    • Customer Service

      Hello Doris,

      Yes, the corrected version is updated in week 1.

      Thanks,

      Becky
      National Quilters Circle Video Membership

      Reply
  142. Leona Hollett

    Sorry I can’t do the blocks yet as I am out of town with my Mom. I am downloading all blocks and will start when I get home.

    Reply
  144. susan mandell

    I keep signing up for the paper piecing quilt challenge, but am not getting emails.

    Reply
    • Customer Service

      Hello Susan,

      Please make sure to check your junk/spam folder to see if the emails are going in there.

      Thanks,

      Becky
      National Quilters Circle Video Membership

      Reply