Dear Jane Quilt - Border Triangle Block LR12 Button Hook

Dear Jane Quilt - Border Triangle Block LR12 Button Hook

Here  are at the end of March and looking back on the Dear Jane progress I have managed to complete 18 blocks this month, which must be a record for me so far. Border triangle block, LR12 Button Hook looks quite straightforward, but what look like squares were slightly diamond shaped so a bit of caution was required and then you get to the applique...


Dear Jane Quilt - Border Triangle Block LR12 Button Hook



There is a very small diamond shape at the top of the triangle which could easily be conveniently overlooked, but I know that even if there are no Quilt Police, there are definitely Dear Jane Police out there.  I approached it by cutting out some iron-on Vilene the same shape, pressing it, tacking it and appliqueing it down.  I knew trying to remove paper from this itty bitty bit was going to be fruitless, so the Vilene stays in.  In reality it is so small it only requires about six stitches, so once started it is quickly done.

Techniques: English Paper Piecing and Applique
Pieces: 25 pieces

Dear Jane Quilt - Border Triangle Block RR2 Cherokee Lee

Dear Jane Quilt - Border Triangle Block RR2 Cherokee Lee

I always feel a quiet sense of relief each time I complete a triangle border block from the Dear Jane quilt.  Before I started the journey I promised myself that I would complete ALL the triangle borders and that I would give the quilt the traditional scallop edge finish, so another triangle done keeps me on track.  This is border triangle block RR2 Cherokee Lee.  In my edition of the Dear Jane book there are no names given to the triangle blocks, I seem to be picking them up from the Electric Quilt Dear Jane software that I am using.



Dear Jane Quilt - Border Triangle Block RR2 Cherokee Lee

Here you can see all the Cherokee Lee pieces laid out ready to be basted.  Some of the shapes are 'unique' and with diamonds scattered amongst it, I made sure that everything was in its exact position.  Before I cut out the pieces I take a photo on my iPAD to see the exact position of each piece which I refer to plenty of times!

Techniques: English Paper Piecing and Applique
Pieces: 24 pieces

Dear Jane Quilt - Draw 25 - Border Triangles LR2, RR2, LR12, RR12

Dear Jane Quilt - Draw 24 - A12, C13, D11, E6

I think Draw 24 is a particularly pretty set of Dear Jane blocks.  I always prefer blocks set on point as it always manages to make them look more elaborate and more interesting. 

I usually post these regular sets of four blocks up on my Pinterest page, where you can increasingly get a good visual idea of where this quilt is heading.

Draw 25 is another round of border triangles.  For some reason the triangles feel difficult but when you actually do them, most of them are simpler than the Dear Jane blocks themselves.

Draw 25
LR2 - Barb's Diamond
RR2 - Cherokee Lee
LR12 - Button Hook
RR12 - Linda's Church in the Valley

This draw is Red

Dear Jane Quilt - Block E6 Michelle's Medley

Dear Jane Quilt - Block E6 Michelle's Medley

I have had a very busy stitching weekend and have managed to do a few Dear Jane blocks amongst it all.  Here is Dear Jane block E6 Michelle's Medley.  Some fussy cutting, some applique and I have another completed block.


Easter Bunnies

I hope you have had a pleasant weekend - Easter certainly has its plus points!


Techniques: English Paper Piecing and Applique
Pieces: 28 pieces

Dear Jane Quilt - Block C13 Lakota Sioux




Happy Easter - Hot Cross Buns

Happy Easter!  It is a beautiful day here today and I was up early stitching Dear Jane blocks to make the most of the extra hours, before we lose one on Sunday.  I am definitely an early person and was surprised how much I got done in the early hours.  I have been out for a walk and enjoyed a Hot Cross Bun already, as the weather doesn't look so promising tomorrow.

Dear Jane Quilt - Block C13 Lakota Sioux

I don't know how big your screen is, but the little cornerstones on Dear Jane block C13 Lakota Sioux were small.

I am enjoying the Dear Jane journey, partly because of the names.  The terminology makes it very 'American', and it serves to revive my knowledge of American history.  I know a little bit about Sioux Indians from studying Custer's Last Stand in school, so this block prompted me to go and refresh my memory.

Enjoy the Easter holidays!

Techniques: English Paper Piecing and Applique
Pieces: 25 pieces

Dear Jane Quilt - Block A12 Framed Fancy

Dear Jane Quilt - Block A12 Framed Fancy

Here's a pretty block.  It has 37 pieces which is quite a lot for Dear Jane.  It is one of the few blocks which have Flying Geese in them, whereas I seem to remember the Nearly Insane quilt had quite a few.  I had a go a fussy cutting, but it is not shown off to its best on this block.

I am currently working on my Dear Jane blocks at my workstation in front of the TV.  On the side of the armchair is a growing pile of trimmings which accumulate during the process.  Suzi the cat has managed to jump up many times without it toppling over onto the carpet.  It shouldn't be long now.

Techniques: English Paper Piecing and Applique
Pieces: 37 pieces

Dear Jane Quilt - Block D11 Snow Crystal

Dear Jane Quilt - Block D11 Snow Crystal

This is block D11 Snow Crystal.  I think the red looks lovely and I am pretty pleased with the appliqued diamonds, as it is ages since a Dear Jane block has demanded that I do some applique on it.

This is the bag I carry my Dear Jane blocks around in.  No I didn't make it.  No it isn't pretty.  BUT it is waterproof and has a zip to shut it firmly. All I know is, pretty stuff comes out of it.

Techniques: English Paper Piecing and Applique
Pieces: 17 pieces
 

Dear Jane Quilt - Draw 24 - A12, C13, D11, E6

Dear Jane Quilt - Draw 23 - D1, I3, J2, L4

As I said before, this Draw has been quite RED heavy, but they will be evenly distributed throughout the quilt, so I don't believe they will look out of place.



Doll Quilt Swap 2015 - Mini Irish Chain quilt

Whilst Dear Jane is moving steadily along I  have signed up to Lori's Doll Quilt Swap over at Humble Quilts.  This is the little Irish Chain quilt I made for Wendy last year and I am at the stage of designing my quilt for my swap partner for 2016.  Thanks to Marcia and Wendy my Civil War era fabric stash is looking more healthy this year.

Anyway, moving onto Draw 24

A12 - Framed Fancy
C13 - Lakota Star
D11 - Snow Crystal
E6 - Michelle's Medley

These Dear Jane blocks will also be in Red.

Dear Jane Quilt - Block D1 Alison's Guiding Light

Dear Jane Quilt - Block D1 Alison's Guiding Light

I love it when these Dear Jane blocks quietly come together whilst you are stitching, but doing something else at the same time.  I think it is called multi-tasking.  The Formula 1 motor racing season has started and often involves sitting down to watch for a couple of hours during a weekend.  This is ideal stitching time and a good reason to follow the sport.

This is Block D1 Alison's Guiding Light and is the last of the current red fabric draw.  It was stitched whilst watching the Australian GP and the next blocks was started too.

Techniques: English Paper Piecing
Pieces: 23 pieces

Dear Jane Quilt - Block I3 Family Album

Dear Jane Quilt - Block I3 Family Album

Here is Dear Jane Block I3 Family Album.

These last few blocks have been very similar, but that is part of the plan.  BTW THE PLAN started this time last year.  I was still finishing off the Nearly Insane border and removing the papers, but in the background I was devising the design and gathering the fabrics for the current Dear Jane quilt journey.  I am now starting to think about what the next hand piecing project will be.  Any suggestions?

Techniques: English Paper Piecing
Pieces: 21 pieces

International Quilting Weekend 2016

Fabadashery Long Arm Quilting

Happy International Quilting Weekend!

Are you quilting today?  I am busy stitching some customer quilts on my long arm machine whilst watching the episodes of The Quilt Show which are FREE as part of the celebrations.  I have watched nearly six episodes so far and have plenty more to revisit.

Later tonight we are moving onto the next Star Wars film, so plenty of hand stitching to look forward to and the completion of another Dear Jane block.

Have a great day. 

Dear Jane Quilt - Block J2 Picture Perfect

Dear Jane Quilt - Block J2 Picture Perfect

Hello friends. Another day, another Dear Jane block, J2 Picture Perfect.

I have spent some looking back at my Nearly Insane quilt journey and how much I enjoyed it. It was all piecing, no applique, with one 6" block having over 240 pieces.  The Dear Jane blocks have fewer pieces, but offers more of a challenge with new techniques.

Techniques: English Paper Piecing
Pieces: 15 pieces

Dear Jane Quilt - Block L4 St George's Cross

Dear Jane Quilt - Block L4 St George's Cross

This is L4 St George's Cross of the Dear Jane quilt and I have made use of the red stripe in my Kim Diehl stash to fussy cut some of the pieces.  There was a time when I would avoid striped fabrics, but I have seen the light and this particular fabric has already delivered in many ways. 

We are on a red round of blocks at the moment and they are pretty RED heavy.

St George is the patron saint of England and this is officially celebrated on 23rd April each year, which also happens to be the birthday of Shakespeare.  Sadly we don't get a day off to stitch Dear Jane blocks.


Techniques: English Paper Piecing
Pieces: 21 pieces


Dear Jane Quilt - Draw 23 - D1, I3, J2, L4

Dear Jane Quilt - Draw 22 - L2, A1, L10, K10

Another set of Dear Jane blocks completed and we are moving onto Draw 23.  Like my Nearly Insane quilt, the Draw system which I use breaks the Dear Jane journey down into achievable steps.  It works for me on one level but means that I don't have all the pieces to start stitching the whole quilt together until the end.  And that I will have all the papers to take out at the end ...  Will I ever learn?

Draw 23
D1 - Alison's Guiding Light
I3 - Family Album
J2 - Picture Perfect
L4 - St Georges Cross

This Draw is in Red

 

Dear Jane Quilt - Block A1 Pinwheel Gone Awry

Dear Jane Quilt - Block A1 Pinwheel Gone Awry

I would guess that Dear Jane block A1, Pinwheel Gone Awry is the first block that most people make when starting there Dear Jane journey, which means that there are probably more of them in the world compared to M3 Lynette's Diamond, which is the last one.

I made this whilst watching Star Wars Episode 1 The Phantom Menace.  Since seeing the latest Star Wars film, we decided that we needed to watch the whole lot again.  It seems incredible how a single film has had such a global impact.  I often refer to the Dear Jane exhibition I saw in Nantes, France in 2013, as being one of the best exhibitions I ever saw.  Up there with it was the Star Wars exhibition from the archives of George Lucas, which I saw at the Barbican, London at about the time Episode 1 was released in 1999.  It had the original artwork and models (pre-CGI) used in the first films and a full size Chewbacca costume - who doesn't love a wookie?

I often use this Personality Test in my work and my personal profile is described as being similar to George Lucas with one of the strengths being 'ability to work on something for a long time'.  They obviously know I am working on my Dear Jane quilt!

Have a go and let me know what profile you are ...

Techniques: English Paper Piecing
Pieces: 28 pieces

Dear Jane Quilt - Block K10 Quandry

Dear Jane Quilt - Block K10 Quandry

This block has a case of the wobbles.  I'm not going to get myself into a Quandry about it.

Techniques: English Paper Piecing
Pieces: 35 pieces

Dear Jane Quilt - Block L10 Nan's Naiad

Dear Jane Quilt - Block L10 Nan's Naiad


As requested, here is Nan's Naiad.  I would say that Block L10 Nan's Naiad is one of the more complex blocks. The shapes are straightforward, but you need to construct the block in a certain order to avoid silly y-seams and stuff.

There are 41 pieces in this block, which for Dear Jane is quite a lot.  I often merge blocks if they are the same colour and they are going to save a seam, which I did a few times with this block, so others may have more.  Don't forget that you need to keep track of the number as the 'original' quilt by Jane Stickle has the total number embroidered on one of the corner blocks.


Suzi the Cat on the Tumbler Quilt Cat Mat

I am trying to think of a reason why this block is pretty.  I don't think it is, so to fulfil a need for 'pretty' on this blog post, here is a picture of Suzi the cat on her new tumbler block cat mat.

Techniques: English Paper Piecing
Pieces: 41 pieces

Dear Jane Quilt - Block L2 Stephanie's Snowflake

Dear Jane Quilt - Block L2 Stephanie's Snowflake

Do you see those little tiny triangles on Block L2, Stephaine's Snowflake?  This is about as small as I like to go.  I didn't put any paper in those triangles, I just manoeuvred the fabric where it needed to be.

I would like to report that we had a few flakes of snow here in Chepstow this week.  No need to get the snow chains out though.

Techniques: English Paper Piecing
Pieces: 37 pieces


Dear Jane Quilt - Draw 22 - L2, A1, L10, K10

Dear Jane Quilt - Draw 21 - H3, L7, I10, J7

My Dear Jane stitching has been a bit slow recently, partly due to the bad planning on my part, and also because it appears 2016 has been put on fast forward.  I don't think I have known time pass so quickly.

Here is the latest set of Dear Jane blocks, quite quick and simple to do and I managed to avoid any applique.  Moving onto the next Draw ...

Draw 22
A1 - Pinwheel Gone Awry
K10 - Quandry
L2 - Stephanie's Snowflakes
L10 - Nan's Naiad

This Draw is Yellow.

Dear Jane Quilt - Block L7 Town Square

Dear Jane Quilt - Block L7 Town Square

I don't think the Town Planning department were very imaginative  when designing Dear Jane block L7, Town Square. However, it makes for a quick win on the Dear Jane journey.


Liberty Fabric - Pincushion

I was in London last week and happily made a detour to Liberty's of London.  Yes, this is the home of all those beautiful Tana Lawn cottons.  There is a whole floor of their prints and the choice is immense and you just want to take a part of it home with you.  This little Tana Lawn pincushion came home with me.  I don't think I will ever use it as a pincushion, but it makes me smile and it was a lot cheaper than the Liberty pyjamas I had my eye on.

Techniques: English Paper Piecing
Pieces: 17 pieces

Dear Jane Quilt - Block J7 Chicken Tracks

Dear Jane Quilt - Block J7 Chicken Tracks

Here is block J7, Chicken Tracks.  I really enjoy doing a simple little square using English paper piecing, there are no surprises and I just love the potential of using tiny scrappy bits of fabrics.

Patchwork fabric scraps

I love scrap quilts.  I was visiting my sister last week and whilst 'hanging out' in her sewing room noticed that there was some fabric in her dustbin.  By the end of my scavenging I left (she let me leave) with over 800g of fabric scraps.  I can't express my delight - was very pleased as I have a few scrap projects that are moving to the forefront of my mind

BTW - my sister has started to hand quilt her Dear Jane quilt.  She used metallics and now the dimension of the quilting is starting to show, it looks really good.

Techniques: English Paper Piecing
Pieces: 41 pieces

Dear Jane Quilt - Block H3 Berry's Baskets

Dear Jane Quilt - Block H3 Berry's Baskets

Here is Dear Jane block H3, Berry Baskets.  There appear to be discrepancies between the original Jane Stickle quilt, the diagrams in the Dear Jane book and the Electric Quilt Dear Jane software for several of the Dear Jane blocks and triangle borders.  Add to that my 'interpretation' of the block and Chinese whispers have taken grip of the project.  In general I work from the EQ software.  I am not really bothered, but I just wanted to highlight that 'interpretation' is a key description of my Dear Jane journey.  Moving onto other fabric news ...

Kim Diehl Fabrics - Sunday Best

As you can see from this pretty selection, I relented on the new Kim Diehl fabric range 'Sunday Best'.  When fabrics are released in the USA it usually takes several months and sometimes even longer for a range to get to the UK.  I don't know any shops which carry Kim Diehl fabrics regularly, but I have seen a few oddments at Doughtys.  I think I have plenty now for this Dear Jane project and several other King size quilts!

Techniques: English Paper Piecing
Pieces: 22 pieces

Dear Jane Quilt - Block I10 Iris' Medallion

Dear Jane Quilt - Block I10 Iris' Medallion

Here is a pleasing little Dear Jane block, Iris' Medallion.  I guess the squares could have been appliqued, but I decided not to make my life difficult.

Techniques: English Paper Piecing
Pieces: 26 pieces

Dear Jane Quilt - Draw 21 - H3, L7, I10, J7

Dear Jane Quilt - Draw 20 TR1, TR13, BR1, BR13 Triangles

Another set of border triangles down. 

I was away on a sewing retreat last week and I only managed to do one Dear Jane block because I didn't have time cut any beforehand.  I was gutted.  This has been put right now and I have plenty of supplies for the next few weeks.  So onto the next Draw.

Draw 21
H3 - Berry's Baskets
L7 - Town Square
I10 - Iris' Medallion
J7 - Chicken Treats

This Draw is Orange.  Yes, Orange again, but going back to the 6 Month report you will see that there are many more orange blocks than any other in my design.