Twenty-one sleeps?  Three weeks.  June 6.

Block Heads 1 - Lynne Hagmeier of Kansas Troubles - Betsy Chutchian - Jan Patek - Jo Morton - Lisa Bongean of Primitive Gatherings.

As before, these ladies are asking you to take a leap of faith with us because this is going to be another Mystery quilt.  But the clues are better... or rather, we've got a few more loaves of bread for our trail of breadcrumbs.

Here's what we can share:

Layout.  We have one.  A few of the parts can be moved around but we have a setting and a plan.  We'll share part of it by the end of the year, but the full reveal won't be until March of 2019 when the last block is published.

You do not have to follow our layout!  But I think you'll like what we're doing.  And there will be a few options for turning this "big" project into several smaller ones.

This layout will not need additional fabric for sashing, alternating squares, setting triangles, etc.  Unless you want to change the setting, then you're on your own.

Size.  The finished quilt will measure 72" x 78".  If you'd like a bigger quilt, that's easily done with more blocks and borders.

Blocks.  While there are 6" finished blocks in this quilt, there are at least three different sizes of blocks.  And 6" finished is the smallest.

Fabric Requirements.  This is where it gets a little less precise.  It all depends on whether you use a single background for all the blocks, mixed backgrounds - light or dark, or a variety of light, medium and dark fabrics for the "background" of some blocks.  So these estimates are rough.  Generous.  But rough.  The yardage calculations are also based on a "traditional approach" of an allover light or dark background with contrasting prints for the block parts.

• One Background & Asst. Lights/Mediums/Darks.
  Asst. Lights, Mediums & Darks for Blocks - 30 to 32 FQs or scraps to total approx. 8 yards
  Background - 4-1/2 yards
• Multiple Backgrounds & Asst. Lights/Mediums/Darks.
  Asst. Lights, Mediums & Darks for Blocks - 30 to 32 FQs or scraps to total approx. 8 yards
  Asst. Prints for Backgrounds - 18 to 20 FQs or scraps to total approx. 5 yards
• A Mix of Lights, Darks & Mediums.
  Asst. Lights, Mediums & Darks for Blocks and Backgrounds - 48 to 50 FQs or scraps to total approx. 13 to 14 yards

One of the designers for Block Heads 2 is going to make her quilt with this selection of Bella Solids.  There are sixteen 1-yard pieces.  Depending on the fabrics she uses for each block, she's pretty sure she'll need a little more of a few of them.  But this is what she's starting with.

Will the quilt work with a single background?  Yes.  Will it work with a dark background?  Yes.

Timing.  Block 1 will be posted at 8:00 am CST on Wednesday, June 6.  The last block and a few finished quilt tops will be shared on Wednesday, April 17.

A couple of other changes coming...

• We will be here every Wednesday, sharing our version of each new block.
• The link to each new block will be available on that week's Designer blog, and if they don't have a blog, we will link to the block here.
• There will be an Archive of blocks updated weekly.
• Some of the Block Heads will be blogging every week, others will only blog for their blocks.
• Blocks will be posted every Wednesday by 8:00 am, CST.

So what fabric will I be using?  Very scrappy.  Brighter.  There's some Jen Kingwell fabric in there, a little Fig Tree and I'm not sure what else.

I'm starting with roughly 5 yards of assorted light backgrounds, a couple of layer cakes, a dozen or so fat quarters and a whole lot of scraps.  I'd show you my stack of fabrics now but some of it might be a Market collection.  That will be something to share on June 6.

In the meantime, I'm clearing off my cutting table and I've got a new package of blades for my rotary cutter.

I'm ready.

What about you?

See you on the 6th!