Dear Jane Quilt - Border Triangle Block LR1 Nancee's Fantasy

Dear Jane Quilt - Border Triangle Block LR1 Nancee's Fantasy

This one is quite complicated to construct.  I added another seam and you definitely need to plan ahead before you stitch it together.

I have been doing some other sewing today - mending trouser pockets for my husband.

Techniques: English Paper Piecing
Pieces: 30  pieces

Dear Jane Quilt - Border Triangle Block RR13 Marlene's Pirouette

Dear Jane Quilt - Border Triangle Block RR13 Marlene's Pirouette

More border triangles to move this project along.  I appliqued the tiny triangles at the bottom, that is once they had been on a trip through the vacuum cleaner.

Fabadashery Long Arm Quilting

Since returning from holiday I have been very busy quilting customer quilts which has meant plenty of variety alongside my Dear Jane project, but little time for other sewing projects.

Techniques: English Paper Piecing and Applique
Pieces: 20 pieces

Dear Jane Quilt - Draw 35 - LR1, LR13, RR1, RR13

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


It has been fun to work with some new fabrics and colours at last on my Dear Jane quilt.  I think one of the reasons I tend to do sampler quilts is because I find doing the same block in the same fabric over and over again, boring.  I like playing with the fabric, finding new combinations and trying something different.

Draw 35 is another set of border triangles - I am SO glad I am doing these as I go along.

LR1 - Nancee's Fantasy
LR13 - Watermelon
RR1 - Tennessee Valley
RR13 - Marlene's Pirouette

This draw will be in Orange

Dear Jane Quilt - Block L12 Sally's Pride

Dear Jane Quilt - Block L12 Sally's Pride

Those little corner triangles are by no means perfect and the mental effort they consumed were really a step too far.   However, it has been a while since I actually completed this Dear Jane block, L12 Sally's Pride, so much of the pain has been forgotten.

Getting back to the Dear Jane cutting out I have been doing recently, I am starting to get a feel for the fabric requirements you actually need for the Dear Jane quilt.  I save all my scraps in a basket as I cut out and with so many itsy bitsy pieces in this quilt, the scraps have come in useful.  English Paper Piecing seems to be a fairly efficient way of constructing this quilt in terms of fabric requirements.  I bought 'extra' fabric when I started out on this project and it looks like there are going to be many Kim Diehl quilt projects in the future.

Techniques: English Paper Piecing and Applique
Pieces: 27 pieces

Dear Jane Quilt - Block H5 Michael's Motorcycle

Dear Jane Quilt - Block H5 Michael's Motorcycle

Presenting Dear Jane block H5 Michael's Motorcycle.

Suzi the Cat helps with Dear Jane cutting out.

You may be pleased to know that at the weekend I managed to bring the Dear Jane quilt under control and I now have plenty of blocks cut out to keep me quiet over the next few weeks.  Suzi the cat was keen to help as she knew how desperate I was becoming.  A visitor popped in the other day and asked if she was a kitten - not bad for 10 years!

Techniques: English Paper Piecing
Pieces: 20 pieces

Joining Feline Friday

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

Dear Jane Quilt - Block K13 Brandon's Star

Dear Jane Quilt - Block K13 Brandon's Star

I can't believe it is the 1st June already. Here is Dear Jane block K13 Brandon's Star. 
The Dear Jane quilt journey continues ...

Techniques: English Paper Piecing
Pieces: 25 pieces

Dear Jane Quilt - Block K11 Columbine

Dear Jane Quilt - Block K11 Columbine

Here is Dear Jane block K11 Columbine enjoying the Rhone wine region in France on our recent holiday.  As I said before plenty of stitching got done on our trip and now I am back am struggling to find time to get down to as much Dear Jane sewing.


Dear Jane Quilt - Block K11 Columbine

 Draw 32 is a series of Dear Jane star blocks, though this one not so pointy.

Techniques: English Paper Piecing
Pieces: 25 pieces

Dear Jane Quilt - Draw 32 - D8, G8, K11, K13 - featuring the Butterfly Quilt



Wash Day - Butterfly Quilt

Despite the predicted rain, this Bank Holiday weekend has turned out quite pleasant.  An ideal day to get a large quilt washed and dried.  This is my Butterfly Quilt.  This is the first epic quilt I ever hand stitched and hand quilted and is the quilt which is on the bed for most of the winter.  The details can be found in one of my early posts.

Dear Jane Quilt - Draw 31 - Border Triangles LR6, LR8, RR6, RR8

It is Slow Stitching Sunday over at Kathy's Quilts.  I am still working on the Nearly Insane quilt on my long arm machine.  If 'slow' means not going fast enough, then yes, I am doing slow stitching. Like Kathy I have a chart marking off my progress and I am enjoying crossing each square off.

So this post is a bit of past, present and future.  An old quit, one approaching a finish once quilted and the ongoing development of the Dear Jane blocks which will one day be a completed quilt.  Draw 32 is back to square Dear Jane blocks, but we are sticking with Yellow.

Draw 32
D8 - Dee Dee's Delight
G8 - Justin's Comet
K11 - Columbine
K13 - Brandon's Star

This draw will be in Yellow
 

Dear Jane Quilt - Border Triangle Block RR6 Tumbling Blocks

Dear Jane Quilt - Border Triangle Block RR6 Tumbling Blocks

A lot of excitement was generated by the mention of the Nearly Insane quilt yesterday. I am working on it constantly over the next few days as I need to get it finished.  Already my head is working out how I will quilt the Dear Jane and I have a host of other projects I want to do.  I guess I have moved on from Nearly Insane, but a quilt is not a quilt until it is quilted.

Meanwhile the construction of the Dear Jane quilt continues. Dear Jane border triangle, RR6 Tumbling Blocks is not your regular 'tumbling blocks', but it seems anything goes with this quilt.

Techniques: Applique and English Paper Piecing
Pieces: 17 pieces

Dear Jane Quilt - Border Triangle Block LR6 Suzie Q

Suzi the cat

Today is the start of a Bank Holiday weekend here in the UK. Rain is predicted.  Suzi the cat is pleased as it is an opportunity for her to look adorable and for me to be around to give her more attention.  I have a long weekend on my long arm quilting machine ahead of me and regular followers will be interested to know that I have finally started quilting my Nearly Insane quilt. 

Dear Jane Quilt - Border Triangle Block LR6 Suzie Q

As for Dear Jane - I had such a good run stitching blocks on holiday that I have tried to keep up the pace on my return.  So far, so good, but I can see that same old chestnut arising - not enough time in the day.  So here is the Dear Jane block LR6 Suzie Q.  Lots of triangles and an appliqued melon.

Have a great weekend!

Techniques: Applique and English Paper Piecing
Pieces: 25 pieces

Dear Jane Quilt - Border Triangle Block LR8 Northern Lights

Dear Jane Quilt - Border Triangle Block LR8 Northern Lights

This is the Dear Jane block LR8 Northern Lights, otherwise known as Frances' Folly.  

Dear Jane Quilt - Border Triangle Block LR8 Northern Lights

 When I was cutting it out I spent a bit of time trying to work out how I was going to construct it.  The picture above shows the English paper piecing I did and then the remainder of the block was done using applique, including the 'neutral' triangle.  After waxing lyrical about my sudden love of applique, I realised after battling with those itty bitty triangles that there is an minimum size which is suitable for applique.  I think they took as long to do as the rest of the block!  When you struggle like this you start to wonder if the block actually needs the triangles and it is at this point that you ask yourself - why am I slavishly following the pattern, especially when the final result is not the most attractive of blocks?

Techniques: Applique and English Paper Piecing
Pieces: 17 pieces

 

Dear Jane Quilt - Border Triangle Block RR8 Love Forever

Dear Jane Quilt - Border Triangle Block RR8 Love Forever

There are several hearts within the Dear Jane quilt and this is the border triangle block, RR8 Love Forever.  I stitched this one on the journey to a wedding, so quite appropriate.  I will say that I am very pleased how my appliqued hearts turned out.

Techniques: Applique
Pieces: 6 pieces