The annual Brown Bag Mystery by Karen Montgomery is so much more than a bag of fabric, but that's where it all starts.

The mystery quilt itself is a double mystery. You won't know the pattern or the fabrics you get in your Brown Bag Kit except for a single clue tied to the bag. For online purchasing, that clue will be shown on the Brown Bag icons for each listing.

*Tip* Sometimes you'll get another hint to the bag contents in the name given to the kit.

Join Karen Montgomery, fifty-nine shops including us, and deveral thousand fellow quilters in this educational experience and finish with a beautiful quilt measuring 60" by 60" before optional borders.

This year the kit consistes of 6 fabrics and while supplies last, includes a custom made woven tag from Sarah Hearts.

This year you have the option to purchase 2 identical kits in order to make additional blocks to make the quilt larger with a decent drop for a queen sized quilt before optional borders. This option may not be available for all selections. Top without borders would be 84 x 84, add a border for a roomy queen sized quilt.

Also, one of the educational elements is working with an ombre fabric. We indicate if a kit has an ombre in it for a specific one of 6 fabrics.

We always label your fabrics in the kit!

Borders

We offer an option for letting us choose the best border for you, we often list a specific border for certain kits in our listings or you can choose your own border fabric after you've opened the kit. Border kits are 3 yards. If you are selecting your own border for a single kit, 2-1/2 yards will be enough. Do not wait too long to select your borders, the fabrics often run out before the last clue comes out.

This is our ninth year with the Brown Bag Mystery with Karen. It's changed quite a bit in the last few years to become quite the educational experience.

Inside your kit you will find and informational welcome sheet and preliminary cutting instructions.
The video instruction by Karen is done within the private Facebook group community for participants and Sewposium shops. Information for joining will be inside your kit. Your name will be checked against the list of participants sent in by the stores, so make sure we have your "Facebook name" or the name of the actual recipient.
Karen does a great video on fabric prep, so watch it before you start your cutting.
There's a Bonus Project before the first clue comes out. This year it is a pillow. The bonus project helps teach the use of the various tools, rulers, etc.
Clues are mailed out (via snail mail, please make sure we have the correct address) every 2 weeks followed by Karen's tutorials in the group.

Don't do Facebook? You will miss out on a lot of the extras, but the quilt can be done by following the printed clues.

Important Dates

Kits available starting	January 30th
Bonus Project Video	February 14th
Clue 1	March 21st
Clue 2	April 4th
Clue 3	April 18th
Clue 4	May 2nd
Clue 5 The BIG Reveal!	May 16th

Additional Information

You have two options for constructing the units for the mystery quilt this year and Karen will explain each of them.

Option 1

Foundation paper piecing (FPP)

This is a great way to get precision and sharp points. We have custom packets of these exclusive foundations in the quantities needed for the quilt and your bonus project. You'll need a set for each kit you buy.

Option 2

Specialty Rulers

Especially if you've done the Brown Bag Mystery a few times, you will likely have these rulers! Karen often uses these rulers for other projects too.

Corner Clipper Ruler, or the quick trim and circle ruler (There are several rulers out there that help do this.)
Crazier Eights Template Set (We have a great pattern book that goes with this set.)
Triangle Squared Ruler.
Perfect Rectangle Ruler

You could even blend these methods. That's one of the best things about the program is that Karen teaches you several ways to make certain units and how to make them easier and more accurately.

2026 Brown Bag Mystery Kits