Dear Jane Quilt - Block E9 Quilt Jail

Dear Jane Quilt - Block E9 Quilt Jail

For some reason this one really did feel like what it might be like to be in Quilt Jail.  Lots of fiddly pieces that had to be squeezed into four sides. This really puts English Paper Piecing to the test.

Techniques: English Paper Piecing and Applique
Pieces: 35 pieces

Dear Jane Quilt - Draw 52 - B4, E9, K2, K3

Dear Jane Quilt - Draw 51 - E13, I7, I8, L3

I will try to fit in a few more Dear Jane blocks before the Bonnie Hunter 'En Provence' 2016  Mystery quilt takes over.  Here is an overview of the recent purple selection and ready to move on to the next Draw.  BTW there are only six more draws to go.

Draw 52
B4 - Chris's Soccer Field
E9 - Quilt Jail
K2 - Grandpa's Chickens
K3 - Seven Sisters

This Draw will be in Red

Dear Jane Quilt - Block L3 Reflections Abound

Dear Jane Quilt - Block L3 Reflections Abound

There has been a bit of a delay with this block as I had lost it.  I didn't label the blocks as I guessed I would know by their colour, but I did get myself in a muddle trying to identify this one, L3 Reflections Abound.

Other sewing news - I think I have committed myself to doing Bonnie Hunter's 'En Provence' 2016 Mystery Quilt and once I have a minute I will bring you up-to-date with my plans which, as usual, are slightly off piste.

Techniques: English Paper Piecing and Applique
Pieces: 25  pieces

Dear Jane Quilt - Block E13 Moth in a Web

Dear Jane Quilt - Block E13 Moth in a Web

I do love the variety of sampler quilts.  Each one is like a little mini quilt of its own. For Dear Jane block E13 Moth in a Web, I think there was a choice of applique or piecing for the little triangles - I chose piecing as little triangles can be a bit trying.  I haven't cut any Dear Jane for ages now, but after this post I am off to cut more sashing pieces.

'Nearly Insane Quilt' by Frances Meredith

Also in the news today, my Nearly Insane quilt has had further success at the 2016 West Country Quilt and Textile Show, full details are over at my other Fabadashery blog .
Techniques: English Paper Piecing and Applique
Pieces: 26  pieces

Dear Jane Quilt - Block I7 Mac and Muff

Dear Jane Quilt - Block I7 Mac and Muff

Here is another pretty purple Dear Jane block, I7 Mac and Muff.  Again I couldn't face appliqueing those tiny triangles onto Dear Jane block I7 Mac and Muff, so I sliced up the borders and pieced it instead.

A quick look around to find a reference to Mac and Muff and I see that it was series of 'Early Reader' books.  Did anyone learn to read with these?  In my day it was 'Dick and Dora'.

'Nearly Insane Quilt' by Frances Meredith

featured in British Patchwork and Quilting magazine, November 2016

Other news - my Nearly Insane Quilt is currently being featured in British Patchwork and Quilting magazine, November 2016.

Techniques: English Paper Piecing and Applique
Pieces: 27 pieces

Dear Jane Quilt - Block I8 Pete's Paintbox

Dear Jane Quilt - Block I8 Pete's Paintbox

I think its time I moved on with these purple blocks. This Dear Jane block, I8 Pete's Paintbox, which seems to be a square in a square in a square.
I have spent most of my TV time this week basting sashing for Dear Jane as I have run out and that is stopping me get the whole thing together.  A small pile has grown, and the next few rows are ready to be put together.

Techniques: English Paper Piecing and Applique
Pieces: 25  pieces

Dear Jane Quilt - Draw 51 - E13, I7, I8, L3

Dear Jane Quilt - Draw 50 - B3, C4, J3, L13

November is always a busy time of year for me and it feels like other things are taking over my stitching time at the moment.  I have found a little slot to keep you posted on my Dear Jane blocks and below are the details of the next blocks.

Suzi the Cat, November 2016

Suzi has found a spot to catch a bit of November sunshine today, whilst I am making the most of a Sunday to slowly stitch the Dear Jane rows together.
Don't forget to Join Kathy over at Slow Stitching Sunday  and Feline Friday

Draw 51
E13 - Moth in a Web
I7 - Mac and Muff
I8 - Pete's Paintbox
L3 - Reflections Abound

This Draw will be in Purple

Dear Jane Quilt - Block L13 Harvest Moon

Dear Jane Quilt - Block L13 Harvest Moon

Another round Dear Jane block, L13 Harvest Moon.

Yesterday, I mentioned the 365 circle project.  Little did I know that it was a year ago since that Quilty Folk started it and today they are sharing their progress.  Great stuff.

Techniques: English Paper Piecing and Applique
Pieces: 8 pieces

Dear Jane Quilt - Block C4 Tic Tac Toe

Dear Jane Quilt - Block C4 Tic Tac Toe

This Dear Jane block, C4 Tic Tac Toe, had a difficult birth.  Those little pieces in the middle are not ideal for English Paper Piecing, but I got there in the end.  I have just stitched this block into the actual quilt and there were a few extra stitches needed to fix the points.

Techniques: English Paper Piecing and Applique
Pieces: 37 pieces

Dear Jane update - October 2016

Suzi the cat helps with the Dear Jane Quilt

I have been promising an update on the overall progress of my Dear Jane.  I indulged myself in an afternoon of stitching Dear Jane blocks together yesterday.  So far I have 2.5 lines together and Suzi the cat is monitoring progress closely. 

Completed Dear Jane blocks

All the blocks are completed and all but one border block is complete.  Also there are several plain triangles and loads and loads of sashing pieces to be done.  And did I mention the scalloped border?

Electric Quilt - Dear Jane progress, October 2016

Here is a glimpse of how that all looks in the Electric Quilt software.  I am still using Electric Quilt 5. 

Dear Jane Quilt - Block B3 Mirror Image

Dear Jane Quilt - Block B3 Mirror Image

Here is Dear Jane block B3 Mirror Image.  I have surprised myself with this quilt by actually enjoying appliquing circles.  I have seen several people this year do the 365 circle project which are building up into great quilts.  Maybe if it had launched about now I might have joined in.


Techniques: English Paper Piecing and Applique
Pieces: 8 pieces

Dear Jane Quilt - Block J3 Rick's Volleyball Net and the launch of En Provence, Bonnie Hunter's 2016 Mystery Quilt!

Dear Jane Quilt - Block J3 Rick's Volleyball Net

I was just about to start writing this post when I noticed on my sidebar that Bonnie Hunter has just released details of En Provence, the 2016 Bonnie Hunter Mystery Quilt.  I really WANT to do it, but I ought to check out some other priorities in my life before I commit completely.  The colours look lovely this year.

Anyway, back to Dear Jane block, J3 Rick's Volleyball Net.  Piecing and applique, fussy cutting and green - a nice combo!

Thanks for the comments on the last post.  Helen S is just about to start on her Dear Jane journey, I'm not sure if she will be posting the progress anywhere, but let us all with her well on her way.

Techniques: English Paper Piecing and Applique
Pieces: 17  pieces

Dear Jane Quilt - Draw 50 - B3, C4, J3, L13

Dear Jane Quilt - Draw 49 - Border Blocks LR3, RR3, LR11, RR11

Yes, we are on Draw 50 which means I have shown you 193 of the blocks I have done so far. 

As you will have guessed I am quite persistent in nature and once I have committed to do something I am pretty confident in finishing it.  As you know, I take time to share my progress on my blog, which gives me some discipline on this project.  Some of you are kind enough to leave comments as I go along which I really appreciate. 

Today I am giving a shout out to Sally and the 'crew' at The Objects of Design for sharing the journey.  Sally has joined in and is also making the Dear Jane quilt in a completely different colour scheme. She also takes time to share the work of her team on her blog.  I know she only has a few more to do - but has she done these yet?

Draw 50
B3 - Mirror Image
C4 - Tic Tac Toe
J3 - Rick's Volleyball Net
L13 - Harvest Moon

This Draw will be in GREEN

Dear Jane Quilt - Border Block LR11 Kathy's Cake

Dear Jane Quilt - Border Block LR11 Kathy's Cake

Poor Dear Jane Border block LR11 Kathy's Cake has been 'missing in action' here at Fabadashery HQ.  It has a doppelganger in the shape of TR3 Checkerboard which is also purple.  The key difference is that this one has a candle shape at the tip and it was this finally cleared up the confusion.

Techniques: English Paper Piecing and Applique
Pieces: 24  pieces

Dear Jane Quilt - Border Block RR3 Epicentre

Dear Jane Quilt - Border Block RR3 Epicentre

Dear Jane border block RR3 Epicentre is one of the more interesting blocks of this quilt and a chance to do something fancy with the fabrics.  Quite a bit of applique to keep the piecing simpler.

Dear Jane Quilt - Border Block RR3 Epicentre

I hope you appreciate this 'work in progress' shot which shows how I did the centre circle.  I contemplated several approaches to this and as ever, there is more than one way to skin a cat. (PS: Don't tell Suzi I said that).

Techniques: English Paper Piecing and Applique
Pieces: 20  pieces

Dear Jane Quilt - Border Block RR11 Hills of Jerusalem

Dear Jane Quilt - Border Block RR11 Hills of Jerusalem

At the weekend I stitched my last block but one for my Dear Jane quilt which I have been making using the English Paper Piecing method.  Still quite a few for you to see yet ....., BUT the news that www.paperpieces.com have just released a full set of pre-cut Dear Jane English Paper pieces is interesting to say the least.  It is nice to know they are there, but in all honesty I know I am too stingy to pay out the money for pre-cut pieces.  All I know is that I have $350 worth of paper due to be removed from my quilt.

Anyway, back to the block of the moment.  I like this Dear Jane border block, RR11 Hills of Jerusalem.  At the top there seems to be a bit of a wobble, but taking the paper out and some coercive quilting should sort that out.
Techniques: English Paper Piecing and Applique
Pieces: 31  pieces

Dear Jane Quilt - Border Block LR3 Connie's Brownies

Dear Jane Quilt - Border Block LR3 Connie's Brownies

Dear Jane border block LR3 Connie's Brownies is a good reason NOT to be scared of the Dear Jane border blocks.  It only has 16 pieces which is far less than many of the square blocks.  Nice sized applique. Easily done.

I promised you an update of the overall Dear Jane progress, but technical issues my end have prevented it.  It will come.

Techniques: English Paper Piecing and Applique
Pieces: 16  pieces

Dear Jane Quilt - Draw 49 - Border Blocks LR3, RR3, LR11, RR11

Dear Jane Quilt - Draw 48 - H1, H4, I9, I12

Here are the green Dear Jane blocks from the latest draw.  Some were easy, some  more difficult with lots of pieces. Moving onto the next blocks

Draw 49
LR3 - Connie's Brownies
RR3 - Epicentre
LR11 - Kathy's Cake
RR11 - Hills of Jerusalem

This Draw will be in PURPLE

Dear Jane Quilt - Block I12 Fred's Fair Square

Dear Jane Quilt - Block I12 Fred's Fair Square

Dear Jane block I12 Fred's Fair Square features some of my favourite Kim Diehl fabrics in green.  Lots of little pieces for a classic looking block - does it have another name?

Techniques: English Paper Piecing
Pieces: 41  pieces

Dear Jane Quilt - Block H1 Peek A Boo

Dear Jane Quilt - Block H1 Peek A Boo

I have had a busy few days away in Devon on a longarm quilting course with Deloa Jones from the USA which is why it has been a bit quiet here on the blog.    Poor Dear Jane did not get a look in.
This is Dear Jane block H1 Peek A Boo, simple enough to do, but just look at the fussy cutting in the corners.  I surprise myself sometimes.

Techniques: English Paper Piecing
Pieces: 17  pieces