Tuesday, 14 June 2016

Dear Jane Quilt - Block H5 Michael's Motorcycle

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.
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

Monday, 13 June 2016

Dear Jane Quilt - Block B5 Hot Cross Buns

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

Sunday, 12 June 2016

Dear Jane Quilt - Block B6 Wild Goose Chase


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
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

Saturday, 11 June 2016

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

Dear Jane Quilt - Draw 33 - A4, D6, F3, J6
Dear Jane Quilt - Draw 33 - A4, D6, F3, J6
I think Granny Weaver was my favourite block from Draw 33.  
Roses in June 2016
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!

Friday, 10 June 2016

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
Dear Jane Quilt - Block A4 Courtney's Stethoscope

Techniques: English Paper Piecing
Pieces: 23 pieces

Thursday, 9 June 2016

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
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

Wednesday, 8 June 2016

Dear Jane Quilt - Block D6 Challenge

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

Tuesday, 7 June 2016

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


Dear Jane Quilt - Block F3 Snowball
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
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

Monday, 6 June 2016

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

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

Saturday, 4 June 2016

Dear Jane Quilt - Block D8 Dee Dee's Delight

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

Friday, 3 June 2016

Dear Jane Quilt - Block G8 Justin's Comet

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

Wednesday, 1 June 2016

Dear Jane Quilt - Block K13 Brandon's Star

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

Tuesday, 31 May 2016

Dear Jane Quilt - Block K11 Columbine

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
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

Sunday, 29 May 2016

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


Wash Day - 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
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
 

Saturday, 28 May 2016

Dear Jane Quilt - Border Triangle Block RR6 Tumbling Blocks

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

Friday, 27 May 2016

Dear Jane Quilt - Border Triangle Block LR6 Suzie Q

Suzi the cat
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
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

Wednesday, 25 May 2016

Dear Jane Quilt - Border Triangle Block LR8 Northern Lights


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
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


 

Tuesday, 24 May 2016

Dear Jane Quilt - Border Triangle Block RR8 Love Forever

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


Monday, 23 May 2016

Holiday time, French Quilting and Malvern Quilt Show 2016

I have been away on holiday in France for the past few weeks enjoying the simple pleasures of life, which they do so well over there.  We went off in our campervan and managed to travel from Brittany down to the South of France and back again.  Plenty of time for Dear Jane stitching which I will update you on in due course.
French patisserie in Puy en Velay
French patisserie in Puy en Velay
We take in the sites and enjoy driving on the quiet French roads.  The most challenging part of each day is choosing which cake to have for tea.  You will find the delights of French patisserie in every town and village, which in the UK you would be hard pushed to find in all but the top London restaurants.  So I made the most of it. 
 
Fabric purchases - May 2016

On the other hand quilt shops in France are less prolific. On this trip I found two really good ones.  'Martine Tissus' in Issoire - this little shop in the middle of France has probably been going many years as it had a really good selection of old and new prints.  If you were looking for something special, it would be there somewhere.  The other was Tissus Amethyste in Valance.  This is a huge shop selling all type of fabrics, but at the back there was a very large and pleasing selection of patchwork fabric.  How do I find these shops?  I have downloaded the Satnav app from the Cosman website which will 'take me to the nearest quilt shop!'

Tips for patchwork fabric shopping in France. 
- Check the shop exists, they tend to come and go a bit in France
- Check the opening times before you make a special trip
- Many shops do not accept credit cards, so have plenty of Euros in your purse.

Magic Patch Quilts Japan
Magic Patch Quilts Japan
I also take time to seek out French quilt magazines.  My favourite is 'Magic Patch Quilts Japan', which I have never seen sold anywhere besides France.  Each time the magazine focusses on one type of quilt, this time it was Drunkard's Path (le chemin de l'ivrogne') and usually the quality of the work and the projects are better than any I see in any other magazine.  Truly inspirational.

'Dear Jenny' by Jenny Williams, Pembrokeshire
'Dear Jenny' by Jenny Williams, Pembrokeshire
So after a pleasant trip across the channel, I got home just in time to visit the Quilts UK Malvern 2016 show where I managed to seek out a few Dear Jane quilt variations. Firstly this red, black and white quilt made by Jenny Williams which is a combination of 'Dear Jane' and personal blocks set in an Irish Chain design.  Jenny had quilted it beautifully on her domestic machine and deservedly won a few rosettes.
'Nearly But Not Quite' by Patricia Storey, Shropshire Dear Jane Quilt
'Nearly But Not Quite' by Patricia Storey, Shropshire

The next one is 'Nearly But Not Quite' by Patricia Storey.  Patricia managed 100 blocks to make her Dear Jane wall hanging in blues, purples, reds and greens.  Once you are on the Dear Jane journey it is lovely to see other quilts and spot the blocks you have done.

I also found out that if you are interested in starting the Dear Jane quilt as part of a group in the UK, The Patchwork Basket in Newent has just started their second Dear Jane Club on Saturdays twice a month.

Saturday, 21 May 2016

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

Dear Jane Quilt - Draw 30 - A10, J1, J5, J11
Dear Jane Quilt - Draw 30 - A10, J1, J5, J11
These blue Dear Jane blocks from Draw 30 seem to go together nicely.  I am starting to long to put these quilt blocks together, but I just don't have enough yet to get that moving.  Considering that the next draw is more triangles, I suspect the borders will be going together sooner rather than later.

Draw 31
LR6 - Suzie Q
LR8 - Northern Lights
RR6 - Tumbling Blocks
RR8 - Love Forever

These border triangles will be in YELLOW.
 

Wednesday, 18 May 2016

Dear Jane Quilt - Block A10 Which Points West


Dear Jane Quilt - Block A10 Which Points West
Dear Jane Quilt - Block A10 Which Points West
Do you recognise this block? This is A10 Which Points West and is remarkable similar to J5 John Jacob's Windmill which I showed you in my last post, but with an extra appliqued melon in the middle.  I guess Jane Stickle liked this one a lot.

Techniques: English Paper Piecing and Applique
Pieces: 14 pieces

Monday, 16 May 2016

Dear Jane Quilt - Block J5 John Jacob's Windmill

Dear Jane Quilt - Block J5 John Jacob's Windmill
Dear Jane Quilt - Block J5 John Jacob's Windmill
Presenting Dear Jane block J5 John Jacob's Windmill.  I am enjoying working with the Kim Diehl blue fabrics.

When I post these blocks on my blog I think nothing of the fact that the photo shows the tacking stitches are still in place holding the papers behind.  It might be months before they are removed.

Techniques: English Paper Piecing
Pieces:  13 pieces

 

Saturday, 14 May 2016

French Boutis

Boutis panel 17" x 17"
Boutis Manon panel 17" x 17"
My Doll swap partner, Heather has a blog where she shares her interest in the French quilting technique, boutis.  It reminded me of a boutis project I did several years ago which I have resurrected to show you here.
Boutis panel  - detail
Boutis Manon panel  - detail
I bought it as a kit from a French stand at the Festival of Quilts, Birmingham and they had all the boutis bits and pieces including this pre-printed panel.  I haven't seen them at the show lately but you can still get hold of the kits in France at www.boutis.com . I have just been over there and started drooling over the other kits they have - they are SO beautiful.
 
To get the effect of boutis you stitch just two pieces of fine white batiste cotton together with no wadding or stuffing in it.  With the kit I was able to follow the lines on the pre-printed panel and after a lot of hand stitching you end up with a piece of fabric with a lot of stitching on it.  But then the magic happens.  Using a stiletto or cocktail stick and the special soft white boutis cotton, you start stuffing the pockets of stitching and suddenly the work you have done comes alive.  Once stuffed you give it a wash and the pure whiteness of it really looks beautiful

Boutis panel  - detail
Boutis panel  - detail
In the photo above I am holding the piece up to the window where you can see the pattern, but it really shows that the quilt is stuffed rather than quilted as three layers.  It is a beautiful effect, but for practical use maybe a bit lumpy and a bit heavy.  Saying that it is one of the pieces I have made which I seem to constantly have out around the home.

Thursday, 12 May 2016

Dear Jane Quilt - Block J11 Twin Sister

Dear Jane Quilt - Block J11 Twin Sister
Dear Jane Quilt - Block J11 Twin Sister
This Dear Jane block, J11 Twin Sister, is totally applilque.  I think I am starting to like applique.  Obviously the size and shape of the piece will influence your feelings about it and these were just about right.

Techniques: Applique
Pieces: 6 pieces