Tuesday, 29 March 2016

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

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

Monday, 28 March 2016

Dear Jane Quilt - Block E6 Michelle's Medley

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
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

Friday, 25 March 2016

Dear Jane Quilt - Block C13 Lakota Sioux



Happy Easter - Hot Cross Buns
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
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

Thursday, 24 March 2016

Dear Jane Quilt - Block A12 Framed Fancy


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

Wednesday, 23 March 2016

Dear Jane Quilt - Block D11 Snow Crystal

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

 

Tuesday, 22 March 2016

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

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

Monday, 21 March 2016

Dear Jane Quilt - Block D1 Alison's Guiding Light

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

Sunday, 20 March 2016

Dear Jane Quilt - Block I3 Family Album

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

Saturday, 19 March 2016

International Quilting Weekend 2016

Fabadashery Long Arm Quilting
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. 

Friday, 18 March 2016

Dear Jane Quilt - Block J2 Picture Perfect

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