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
First time paper piecing
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.
Not my first time
Love looking at blocks on Facebook. I decided to try it.
First time paper piecing , nervous
Need requirements
Hello Susan,
Here is the link to the Fabric Requirements. https://www.nationalquilterscircle.com/article/mystery-fabric-requirements/
Thanks,
Becky
National Quilters Circle Video Membership
I love guilting
Will there be a video for Week 1? If so when?
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
I’m ready
We just make one of Block 1, right?
I have the same question…how many blocks of block one do we make?
Hello Sandy,
You will want to make 1 of this block.
Thanks,
Becky
National Quilters Circle Video Membership
I would like to know too, only one? The pattern doesn´t say
Hello Diane,
Yes, you will want to make 1 of the first block.
Thanks,
Becky
National Quilters Circle Video Membership
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.
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
Hello Kristine,
This post has been corrected with the correct pattern.
Thanks,
Becky
National Quilters Circle Video Membership
Love paper piecing
Love paper piecing. Be paper piecing for over 30 years
Love to try new ideas in quilting
It’s Friday! I have not received Block 1! Help!!!
Hi Dianna,
The first block will be emailed out around 3pm CST today.
Thanks,
Becky
National Quilters Circle Video Membership
Check your Junk Mail. That’s where I found mine!
Can’t wait to start.
Check your Spam email. Google was hiding the emails from me.
Are you going to have a video for Week 1?
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
Hi I just took a video of my problem! Is there anyway I can send it to you!
Hello Sandy,
Please feel free to send us an email to nationalquilterscircle@program-director.net.
Thanks!
Becky
National Quilters Circle Video Membership
Is there a video for week 1. I have paper pieced before but not using freezer paper. was hoping to see this technique
Hello Debbie,
Ashley was live on Facebook on Saturday. Our Facebook site is “NQC Quilt Block Challenge.
Thanks,
Becky
National Quilters Circle Video Membership
Hi, Toby sent a link before regarding purchasing fabric, however, I just got paid today and wanted to order.
Love paper piecing
The B blocks from the paper piecing template and from the regular template are different shapes and sizes. Which one is correct?
Anxious to try
i a bought I had signed up, but have not read anything yet?
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.
Love paper piecing. Excited about getting started!
Waiting for download
Looking forward to some fun
Thanks a lot!!!
Can’t wait to get started😊
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
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!
First time trying this
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?
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?
Hello Theresa,
This post has been corrected with the correct pattern.
Thanks,
Becky
National Quilters Circle Video Membership
Where I can find the corrected pattern? I did finish block one, but it is smaller than what it is supposed to be
Hello Maria,
This post has been updated with the corrections for week 1.
Thanks,
Becky
National Quilters Circle Video Membership
love paper piecing
love quilting and paper piecing
This is my first time with paper piecing!
I have never paper pieced either.
I love the first block, I’d better get busy.
I do not do Facebook.
Excited! Never have I done this.
Let’s get this show on the road!
Thanks!
I have paper piece some.
Should be fun!
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.
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?
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
Instructions came in 149% size, so had to reduce to 100% to print….is this effecting the size of my pattern?
Hello Susan,
Nope, you do want your printer to be at 100%.
Thanks,
Becky
National Quilters Circle Video Membership
No comment yet
First time paper piecing….hope its easy.
Well, patterns are printed and I’m ready to start bright and early tomorrow. Looks like fun?
need block one please and ty Deb.
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
I haven’t done much foundation piecing, so this will be something of a learning experience.
Looking fwd to starting this..thanks for including me
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.
How many of each 12 1/2″ block need to be made?
Hello Marguerite,
You will want to make one of this block.
Thanks,
Becky
National Quilters Circle Video Membership
First time paper piecing. Haven’t picked out my fabrics yet. Loving all the pictures being posted.
Please email the block challenge weekly. I am having trouble with my computer, I can get my email on my phone. Thank you
Hello Diana,
The challenge is sent out weekly through email. Here is a link to sign up for the challenge.
https://go.nationalquilterscircle.com/a15217/
Have Fun!
Becky
National Quilters Circle Video Membership
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.
First time with paper piecing.
Look forward to this
signed p once already. I’ll see how this works out.
Looking forward to this!!
All these different placements of this block are amazing
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.
Hello Alexa,
This post has been corrected with the correct pattern.
Thanks,
Becky
National Quilters Circle Video Membership
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.
I would like to try .
Looking forward to making this.
A little behind already but excited to do this. Thanks
Looks like some people are changing the assembly of the pieces. Is that going to effect other squares?
Where do I go to get patterns for each day
Hello Carolyn,
The challenge is sent out weekly through email. Here is a link to sign up for the challenge.
https://go.nationalquilterscircle.com/a15217/
Have Fun!
Becky
National Quilters Circle Video Membership
I’m ready
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!!
link for the video chat regarding the first block of the ice crystal quilt
For some reason I can not print the pattern?
I can’t print the pattern. ?
Looking forward to doing this pattern, I love paper piecing
Love paper piecing
First time paper piecing
I have tried to down load but not successfull help
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
Looking forward to the challenge
I love paper piecing and a mystery.
Glad I have some extra fabric incase of goofs 🙂 First time paper piecing, looking forward to the challenge!!
Can’t wait to see it!
Excited to get started
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.
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
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)
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
Love paper piecing
Very excited to start this.
How many block 1 do we need to make. I haven’t seen it anywhere
Hello Lois,
You will want to make 1 block.
Thanks,
Becky
National Quilters Circle Video Membership
well I will give it a try
Looking forward to seeing the quilt
Please add me to your block pattern list.
Hello Kay,
There is the link to sign up for the challenge. https://go.nationalquilterscircle.com/a15217/
Enjoy,
Becky
National Quilters Circle Video Membership
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?
Hello Narcis,
This post has been corrected with the correct pattern.
Thanks,
Becky
National Quilters Circle Video Membership
Why does this block pattern for week 1, not have the changes and 1″ square to check for pattern accuracy?
Hello Bev,
This post has been corrected with the correct pattern.
Thanks,
Becky
National Quilters Circle Video Membership
I have no website still can i b the part
why can’t I download this?
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
I never got the email! My question is there are 5 weeks and 5 blocks, how do we get a square quilt?
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
Looking forward to the mystery quilt
Can we get a link to the pattern with the test square?
excited to get started
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.
I found it!!! On FB page on the left under ‘files’.
Not exactly inspiring confidence in your organization.
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.
I’m so excited to start after seeing the first week’s block!
Looks exciting!
Looking forward to the next block
thank you for this opportunity!
What is the website to get pdf patterns for the challenge. I not getting patterns
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
would like to join mystery paper piecing
Hello Hazel,
Here is the link to sign up for the challenge.
https://go.nationalquilterscircle.com/a15217/
Enjoy!
Becky
National Quilters Circle Video Membership
i cant believe how fast people have progressed
I don’t have Facebook. Will there be any other way to view Ashley’s videos?
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
First time paper piecing wish me luck
Looking forward to this project.
I cant wait to start thankyou
Is there a video for step instructions. I’m a visual learner.
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
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
Hello Ann,
This is Foundation Paper Piecing. The post has been updated with the corrected pattern.
Thanks,
Becky
National Quilters Circle Video Membership
Just had brain surgery so mine will be made at a later time, sorry no pics from me.
Where is the corrected pattern?
Hello Jerri,
This post has been corrected with the correct pattern.
Thanks,
Becky
National Quilters Circle Video Membership
Ready
Is it too late to sign up for this challenge
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
First time at this… directionally challenged…:)
Looking forward to making Ice Crystal mystery free quilt pattern, I have finished first block
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.
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.
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?
Hello Beverly,
The download within this link has been updated with the update pattern.
Thanks,
Becky
National Quilters Circle Video Membership
You Tube Tutorial : Mystery Ice Crystals quilt pattern – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UoUiCwMcQE0
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.
Hello Angie,
They are sent out weekly through email on Fridays at 3pm CST.
Thanks,
Becky
National Quilters Circle Video Membership
New to paper piecing and looking forward to this weekly challenge as a real challenge for learning how to do paper piecing.
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.
Hello,
Ashley went live last Saturday on Facebook to talk about the first block. Here is a link to the Facebook Live Event. https://www.facebook.com/groups/244481002658165/permalink/625096491263279/
Thanks,
Becky
National Quilters Circle Video Membership
Love the first week Challenge, can’t wait for second week
I like “Papet Piecing”.
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.
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
Love it!
not received my week 2 block , when do u post them? thank u for your help
Hello Linda,
Block 2 will be sent out by email today around 3pm CST.
Thanks,
Becky
National Quilters Circle Video Membership
Cannot find week 2 pattern.
Hello Joan,
Here is the link to week 2. https://www.nationalquilterscircle.com/article/mystery-challenge-week-2/
Thanks,
Becky
National Quilters Circle Video Membership
Looking forward to week 2
Thank you
First time
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
Wanting to learn more about paper piecing
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?
Hello Donna,
This post has been updated with the corrections.
Thanks,
Becky
National Quilters Circle Video Membership
I am leery and ignorant of paper piecing. How hard is is it? I really want to try it
If one were to go to week 1 to print the pattern, does this include the corrected version?
Hello Doris,
Yes, the corrected version is updated in week 1.
Thanks,
Becky
National Quilters Circle Video Membership
Still waiting to receive
I have done paper piecing once in a class so I am looking forward to do more!
Love learning new things
I am a new quilter, so wish me luck
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.
Can Ashley do a video please
I keep signing up for the paper piecing quilt challenge, but am not getting emails.
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
Never paper pieced before
Going to be a ‘stretch’ for me!
I have the first block messed up. I have no idea how.
I would like to learn paper piecing.
Looks like fun!!
I want to get the pattern for Block 1
Mystery Paper Piecing Quilt Block Challenge: Week 1
love this challenge