Dear Jane Quilt - Block B8 Water Lily

Dear Jane Quilt - Block B8 Water Lily

Once you have done Dear Jane block C7 Megan's Mountain Laurel, all these others seem quite easy.  This Dear Jane block is B8 Water Lily.  I English paper pieced the centre shape and then appliqued it on to the background.  Then another round of nicely sized melons for an applique fix.

Techniques: English Paper Piecing and Applique
Pieces: 9 pieces

Dear Jane Quilt - Block D4 Crystal Star

Dear Jane Quilt - Block D4 Crystal Star

Here is Dear Jane block D4 Crystal Star.  This one is only 17 pieces and once the block is stitched together, the melons are appliqued onto the corners, neatly covering up the seam lines and making it easy for accurate placement.

Techniques: English Paper Piecing and Applique
Pieces: 17 pieces

Dear Jane Quilt - Block C7 Megan's Mountain Laurel

Dear Jane Quilt - Block C7 Megan's Mountain Laurel

This is Dear Jane block, C7 Megan's Mountain Laurel.  There was a choice here of piecing those diamonds or appliquing them.  Either way it was dealing with tiny pieces. I went the applique route, but I don't think either way was an easy option.  Over at The Objects of Design, Sally has opted for the piecing route, stabilizing her stitching with Molly fur.  The good news is that we both survived block C7 Megan's Mountain Laurel and we can move onto the next block.

Techniques: English Paper Piecing and Applique
Pieces: 25 pieces

Dear Jane Quilt - Draw 44 - B8, C7, D4, I6

Dear Jane Quilt - Draw 43 - B12, E1, F4, H13

Thanks to everyone who took time to make a comment yesterday following my success at the Great Northern Quilt Show. It was good to hear from bloggers who have been following the Nearly Insane journey from the start.

However, after all the excitement of yesterday it is back to the Dear Jane routine.  These blocks won't stitch themselves.  Here is the latest completed set of blocks and here are the next few.  I think we are heading to a round of applique, so hold onto your hats!

Draw 44
B8 - Water Lily
C7 - Megan's Mountain Laurel
D4 - Crystal Star
I6 - Viewer's Choice

This draw will be in Yellow

Great Northern Quilt Show 2016 - Nearly Insane quilt wins Overall Champion

Frances Meredith 'Nearly Insane' quilt
Overall Champion Great Northern Show 2016

It's been an eventful weekend.
Last Thursday I was busy quilting a quilt for a customer when I had a message from the Great Northern Quilt Show in Harrogate to say that my Nearly Insane quilt had won Overall Champion in their 2016 show! A quick change of plans for the weekend and I was heading up to Harrogate for the Prize-giving presentations. 

Frances Meredith 'Nearly Insane' quilt
Overall Champion Great Northern Show 2016

It wasn't until I got to the show that I realised that I had not only won Overall Champion, but also first in the Bed Quilt category and the Longarm machine Quilting award, along with a Judge's Choice certificate from Merrilyn Orr of Kaleidoscope Books.  You can see here all the goodies I have come home with including three lovely rosettes, two shields, and a Pfaff sewing machine donated by Direct Sew and Knit in Sheffield.

The other good news is that my kind husband drove me up to Harrogate, so I was able to press on with some Dear Jane stitching as we went along and two more blocks have been completed.

Dear Jane Quilt - Block B12 Starflower

It is back to applique with Dear Jane block B12, Starflower.  These appliqued melons were slimmer than the previous one in this set, so a bit more concentration on the points.  But don't you love the fussy cut centre?
It is September now.  I usually see September as the start of my New Year.  I have a few things to look forward to, but it means back to work also.  Real world progress with Dear Jane is looking good with just 16 blocks to go.

Techniques: English Paper Piecing and Applique
Pieces: 6 pieces

Dear Jane Quilt - Block H13 Farm Field's

Dear Jane Quilt - Block H13 Farm Field's

I can't deny my joy at some of these easier blocks.  Dear Jane block H13 Farm Fields is just a cross and just 7 pieces.  An easy win and onto the next one ..
Techniques: English Paper Piecing
Pieces: 7 pieces

Dear Jane Quilt - Block E1 Aunt Exie's Phlox

Dear Jane Quilt - Block E1 Aunt Exie's Phlox

I know there will lots of fans for Dear Jane block E1 Aunt Exie's Plox which is all applique and in that lovely traditional melon shape.  These were a nice size, so no drama there.

Suzi has been helping with the photography today.  Clearly there is something far more interesting going on in the garden.

Techniques: English Paper Piecing and Applique
Pieces: 5 pieces

Dear Jane Quilt - Block F4 Old Windmill

Dear Jane Quilt - Block F4 Old Windmill

Here is my favourite Kim Diehl red stripe put to good use on Dear Jane block F4 Old Windmill. Looks easy, but don't forget those little triangles in the corner.

'Cat on Quilt' 2016

Fans of Suzi the Cat may have noticed her absence from the 2016 Pets on Quilts competition this year.  Let's just say this photo shows how far we got getting a good shot of a 'Cat on Quilt'. What would I do without her help?

Techniques: English Paper Piecing and Applique
Pieces: 13 pieces

Dear Jane Quilt - Draw 43 - B12, E1, F4, H13

Dear Jane Quilt - Draw 42 - B13, E3, E7, K1

So here is the latest purple draw.  A mixed bunch of Dear Jane blocks.  If you want to see more purple delights, pop over to the Rainbow Scrappy Challenge.

For me, I am moving onto RED in the next Draw - always a favourite.

Draw 43
B12 - Starflower
E1 - Aunt Exie's Phlox
F4 - Old Windmill
H13 - Farm Field's

This Draw will be in Red