Dear Jane Quilt - Block B5 Hot Cross Buns

Dear Jane Quilt - Block B5 Hot Cross Buns

If life had been sweet I would have been doing Dear Jane block B5 Hot Cross Buns back in March, when I was actually eating Hot Cross Buns.  I am always looking to see how the names of the blocks actually relate to the pattern I am sewing.  This one does actually look like a Hot Cross Bun and the background fabric I am using even looks like it has currants in it.
Techniques: English Paper Piecing and Applique
Pieces: 15 pieces

Dear Jane Quilt - Block B6 Wild Goose Chase

Dear Jane Quilt - Block B6 Wild Goose Chase

At last a different colour.  This draw has a set of purple blocks in it and I have enjoyed picking the pieces for each block.  You will see from the photo below that it was a bit of a squeeze putting the small pieces together which has resulted in a bit of a warped block.

Dear Jane Quilt - Block B6 Wild Goose Chase

Over at That Quilt, Anina has just completed Dear Jane block B6 Wild Goose Chase and used foundation piecing - the neat result is spectacular. Sometimes English Paper Piecing is perhaps not the most suitable construction method, especially when you have thin strips.  However, it is easier to sew EPP to EPP, so I soldier on with it knowing I can give is a good press and when the time comes I can 'quilt it out'.

Joining up with Slow Stitching Sunday.

Techniques: English Paper Piecing
Pieces: 43 pieces

Dear Jane Quilt - Draw 34 - B5, B6, H5, L12

Dear Jane Quilt - Draw 33 - A4, D6, F3, J6

I think Granny Weaver was my favourite block from Draw 33.  

Roses in June 2016


We are enjoying the June weather with warm air and all the trees and flowers putting on their best.  The Queen celebrated her OFFICIAL birthday today with the regular Trooping of the Colour and more celebrations to come tomorrow.


Moving onto Draw 34
B5 - Hot Cross Buns
B6 - Wild Goose Chase
H5 - Michael's Motorcycle
L12 - Sally's Pride

OK, so let's not get too excited. This draw will be the first set of Purple blocks!

Dear Jane Quilt - Block A4 Courtney's Stethoscope

I am slowly making my way around the binding on the Nearly Insane quilt.  Each side is 227cm, which means I have over 9 metres to sew.

Do you like my nail varnish?  It is called Cerulean Sea and is a CND Shellac - this stuff is bullet proof and how ever many times I stab it with a needle it still looks as good as new.  I can highly recommend it. The last colour I had was on for six weeks, let's see how this one lasts. It doesn't quite match the Nearly Insane quilt binding, but it does match the final Dear Jane block in this draw, A4 Courtney's Stethoscope.



Dear Jane Quilt - Block A4 Courtney's Stethoscope

Techniques: English Paper Piecing
Pieces: 23 pieces

Dear Jane Quilt - Block J6 Granny Weaver

You will be pleased to know that I have finally had some time to prepare some Dear Jane blocks.  Suzi the cat has been helping as you can see here, as she shows her love for orange Kim Diehl fabric.   It has been warm and sultry here in the UK, so she was more content watching than getting actively involved.

Dear Jane Quilt - Block J6 Granny Weaver


Today's Dear Jane block is J6 Granny Weaver.  Again, a chance to do some fussy cut stars in the centre and another easy to piece block.

Techniques: English Paper Piecing
Pieces: 25 pieces

Dear Jane Quilt - Block D6 Challenge

Dear Jane Quilt - Block D6 Challenge

You may have noticed that this round of blocks is quite simple.  Dear Jane block D6 Challenge, clearly was no challenge at all.

Techniques: English Paper Piecing
Pieces: 9 pieces

Dear Jane Quilt - Block F3 Snowball visits Mont Ventoux, France

Dear Jane Quilt - Block F3 Snowball

In less than a months time the cycling starts up again and the 2016 Tour de France will be on its way.  Here is Dear Jane block F3, Snowball lingering between the vines with Mont Ventoux, France in the far distance, which is where all the action will be on Bastille Day.

Dear Jane Quilt - Block F3 Snowball

 Making a quilt on the move really does add additional personal meaning to your stitching and to the quilt you are making, through the memories it holds.

Techniques: English Paper Piecing
Pieces: 13 pieces

Dear Jane Quilt - Draw 33 - A4, D6, F3, J6

Dear Jane Quilt - Draw 32 - Blocks D8, G8, K11, K13


The warm summer weather has finally arrived here in the UK.  I managed to baste a few sashing sections this morning, but the general panic of Dear Jane grinding to a halt is plaguing me at the moment.
No fear - I hope to sort that out by the end of the week. Moving onto Draw 33 ...

Draw 33
A4 - Courtney's Stethoscope
D6 - Challenge
F3 - Snowball
J6 - Granny Weaver

This draw will be in BLUE.

Dear Jane Quilt - Block D8 Dee Dee's Delight

Dear Jane Quilt - Block D8 Dee Dee's Delight

This Dear Jane block, D8 Dee Dee's Delight is entirely applique, but still has a star effect like the other blocks in this draw.

I feel as if I have been 'missing in action' as my time has been entirely committed to quilting the Nearly Insane quilt over the past ten days.  This quilt is destined for the Festival of Quilts in Birmingham in August 2016, which is where is will have its big reveal, which is why you have not seen many pictures.  It has been quilted and this morning I prepared the binding, so the end really is in sight.

Techniques: Applique
Pieces: 9 pieces

Dear Jane Quilt - Block G8 Justin's Comet

Dear Jane Quilt - Block G8 Justin's Comet

I think May 2016 was a record month for my Dear Jane blocks.  I think I managed one almost every day and you have yet to see most of them as I drip feed them to you.  June is a different story.  It has taken me most of this week just to get one block done and I have reached the crisis point of not having any blocks prepared and cut out.  This sort of thing can keep you awake at night.

Here is Dear Jane block G8 Justin's Comet.  Take note of the fussy cutting.  As you may know, I am always a bit wary of diamonds and this one required special numbering of the paper pieces to avoid a muddle.

Techniques: English Paper Piecing
Pieces: 16 pieces