Dear Jane Quilt - Block D9 Uncle Richard

Dear Jane Quilt - Block D9 Uncle Richard

This block looks quite simple, but if you start adding up all those little triangles around the edge of the block you will see that there are more pieces involved than originally meets the eye.  There are 36 in total, which for this Dear Jane quilt is quite a lot.  A bit more fussy cutting too.

Dear Jane Quilt - Block D9 Uncle Richard

Part of this block has a plain border around the edge.  This was useful in reigning in the block to its 4.5" size.  You will see that once I had finished the hand stitching on the block it had a bowl shape to it, but nothing a hot steam iron couldn't sort out.

Techniques: English Paper Piecing
Pieces: 36

Dear Jane Quilt - Block A6 Uncle Homer

Dear Jane Quilt -  Block  A6 Uncle Homer

You will see I am continuing on the 'yellow' blocks.  The fabric colour is not green and it is not orange - it is not really yellow, but it seems to fall between the other two.  This particular fabric is from Kim Diehl's 'Heritage Hollow' range and I think it is really pretty.

Another variation of a nine-patch block.  Uncle Homer must have been a straightforward chap.

Techniques: English Paper Piecing
Pieces: 9

Dear Jane Quilt - Block M10 Simple Simon

Dear Jane Quilt - Block M10  Simple Simon

Dear Jane quilt block M10 Simple Simon is, as it says on the tin - simple.  A simple nine-patch block. The progress of these blocks are much quicker than the Nearly Insane blocks, so it is easy to get a quick fix and get quick results.

BTW I haven't started the Farmers Wife Sew Along. It is a quilt that I hope to do in the future, but DJ is my top priority at the moment.

Techniques: English Paper Piecing
Pieces: 9

Dear Jane Quilt Update - October 2015

Dear Jane Quilt Update - October 2015

It is my birthday this week, so keeping up with tradition, I am doing an review of my progress on my Dear Jane quilt so far.  As you can see it is a sea of orange, with one lone red block.  In the past two months I have completed

21 blocks 21/169 (12%)

4 Border Triangles 4/56 (7%)

This works out about 10 blocks a month, so an estimated finish date would be about December 2016, unless I win the lottery and my revised schedule allows me to sew all day long...


Dear Jane block preparation

With so many little blocks, a lot of time is taken in preparing them in packs ready for sewing.  I think the cutting out for some blocks has taken longer than actually sewing them together.

Dear Jane Electric Quilt software - October 2015

To monitor my overall progress here is the image of the progress so far taken in my Dear Jane Electric Quilt software.  I am enjoying using Electric Quilt for this project as I did with the last sampler quilt.  This image is updated an on the sidebar regularly.

Dear Jane Quilt - Draw 8, A6, D9, M10, M12

Dear Jane Quilt - Draw 7, Edge Triangles TR7, LR7, RR7, BR7

So here are the first triangle border blocks for the Dear Jane quilts.  I am pleased to have these under my belt as I don't want to have the border to do at the end.  I have seen many Dear Jane quilts where the maker decided against the border, probably weary of the process, but I definitely want a border.

Onto Draw 8.  These blocks look super simple.

A6 - Uncle Homer
D9 - Uncle Richard
M10 - Simple Simon
M12 - Hopscotch

This round will be in YELLOW. Hurrah - a different colour.  The yellow fabrics are quite murky, neither green or orange, so designated as yellow for the convenience of this project.

Dear Jane Quilt - Border Triangle Block TR7 Norways Fjord

Dear Jane Quilt - Border Triangle Block  TR7 Norway's Fjord

Another triangle block done.  I made an alteration to this block.  The original has long slivers up each side, but I have just extended the adjacent blocks to eliminate any unnecessary aggravation during construction. 


Dear Jane Quilt - Border Triangle Block  TR7 Norway's Fjord

Here is a picture of the reverse as a reminder that I am doing this all by hand using English Paper Piecing.

Techniques: English Paper Piecing
Pieces: 23

Dear Jane Quilt - Border Triangle Block RR7 Fedelia's Hearts

Dear Jane Quilt - Border Triangle Block  RR7 Fedelia's Hearts

This border triangle block, Fedelia's Hearts has always been one which stood out for me whenever I saw a Dear Jane quilt in an exhibition.  Again, I was a bit worried about it, but the appliqued hearts went on quite easily and with only 13 pieces it was quick. I seem to be saying that about all the blocks.  I am certainly preferring the speed that the blocks get completed versus the Nearly Insane quilt, but I guess overall it will probably take the same time to get together.

Techniques: English Paper Piecing
Pieces: 13

Joining Slow Stitching Sunday

Dear Jane Quilt - Sashing and Cornerstones

Dear Jane quilt  (G7 - Indianapolis)

You have seen this Dear Jane quilt block before (G7 - Indianapolis), but today it is proudly wearing its new cornerstones and sashings.  The original quilt doesn't have actual cornerstones, but I had a bit of fun with the cornerstones on my Nearly Insane quilt and I think a little extra thought on this area can take a quilt to the next level.

Firstly, the sashing.  If I require lots of the same squares or rectangle shapes for my English paper piecing I usually use the Table function in Microsoft Word.  You can set the size of the table cells in the software and then print out a blank table on regular printer paper ready for cutting up in the shapes that you need.  The sashing will be the same as my background fabric.


Dear Jane Quilt Sashing 0.5" x 4.5"

You can see I managed to get about 30 sashing strips on one sheet, each one being 1/2" x 4.5" and here are some of them prepared with their tacking stitches ready for when I need them.

'Hearthside Seasons' by Kim Diehl

For the cornerstones I am using one of the 'Hearthside Seasons' fabrics by Kim Diehl.  I thought I could fussy cut the stars for the middle.  The cornerstone squares below are English paper pieced and are just 1/2" x 1/2 Inch.

Cornerstones  1/2" x 1/2" - Dear Jane Quilt

 

Dear Jane Quilt - Border Triangle Block LR7 Sallys' Steeple

Dear Jane Quilt - Border Triangle Block  LR7 Sallys' Steeple

I would say this Dear Jane border triangle, Sally's Steeple,  is a pretty typical Dear Jane block, with a bit of piecing and a bit of applique.  I appliqued the shapes in the centre, as well as the very top triangle, rather than have to deal with thin edge bits at the point.  I am pleased to be doing some of these triangles as I don't want the border to be left until the end.


Suzi the cat

I am pleased to say that my Dear Jane efforts have encouraged some of you to resurrect your Dear Jane projects - most notably Sally over at Objects of Design.  You will see her doing the same blocks as me but it in Kaffe Fassett fabrics. This is one of my favourite blogs as you can see not only lots of patchwork and quilting activity, but the internet being used in its purest form - to show pictures of cats and kittens.  I will admit, Suzi the cat has not been as enthusiastic about the Dear Jane quilt as she was about the Nearly Insane quilt. Snoozing in the autumn sun is her current preferred activity.

Techniques: English Paper Piecing and Applique
Pieces: 14

Dear Jane Quilt - Border Triangle Block BR7 Cheryl's Clown

Dear Jane Quilt - Border Triangle Block  BR7 Cheryl's Clown

I was nervous about starting these edge triangles for the Dear Jane quilt.  I thought they would be difficult.  But just like the square blocks a triangle comes together quite easily. Just 23 pieces meant it got done whilst watching the new series of Strictly Come Dancing.

Autumn 2015 - Horse Chestnut Conkers

I could quite happily sit all day sewing or working quilting on my long arm machine, but these days my body is less forgiving.  To counter this desire to sit all day and sew I try to take an early walk each day in my local countryside.  It is a great way to watch the seasons change and this morning I couldn't resist picking up these beautiful conkers from the horse chestnut trees that were lying on the ground. A true sign of autumn here in the UK ...

Techniques: English Paper Piecing
Pieces: 23

Dear Jane Quilt - Draw 7, Edge Triangles TR7, LR7, RR7, BR7

Dear Jane Quilt - Draw 6, A7, E4, F13, I1

Here are the latest blocks.  I quite enjoyed this round of applique and overall these blocks were straightforward.

Anyway onto Draw 7. Great excitement!  I have drawn my first border triangles.  With such a dramatic change in the development of the Dear Jane quilt it is reassuring to know that this will also be in ORANGE.

Dear Jane Quilt - Block I1 Ralph and Nelda's Wedding

Dear Jane Quilt - Block I1 Ralph and Nelda's Wedding

I did this block - start to finish - whilst waiting for an appointment. Is that good or does it just indicate how long I had to wait?

Lovely little 1/2 inch squares - I love'em!

Techniques: English Paper Piecing
Pieces: 20

Dear Jane Quilt - Block E4 Buffalo Tree Hopper

Dear Jane Quilt - Block E4 Buffalo Tree Hopper

I was watching Mastermind on the television the other night and decided that the 'Dear Jane' quilt would be a good specialist subject to choose with all the block names and numbers.  This little block was easy to do and I am enjoying how quickly some of these blocks are getting done.


Buffalo Treehopper

BTW, here is a photo of a Buffalo Treehopper, a bug native to North America.  Check out his markings - do you think it looks like the block?

Techniques: English Paper Piecing
Pieces: 15

Dear Jane Quilt - Block F13 Tour de France

Dear Jane Quilt - Block F13 Tour de France

It was back to applique for this block.  Like block A7 Dad's Plaids (which seems to be a favourite with a few of my Followers), I gathered the fabric around a cardboard form, gave them a blast of spray starch and then pressed them into submission with a good steam press.  This seems to work well with the larger applique shapes.

Dear Jane Quilt - Block F13 Tour de France


I have actually done the  F13 Tour de France Dear Jane block before.  It was the block they chose in our Dear Jane workshop at the Nantes (France) Dear Jane exhibition in 2013.  I have had it pinned to my noticeboard since then along with other Dear Jane memorabilia from the day, which has served as motivation over the past few years whilst I finished my Nearly Insane quilt.


Tour de France 2015, Brittany

Also, I don't think I mentioned that I actually went over to see the 2015 Tour this year when it was in Britanny, France.  It was brilliant, a great atmosphere.  That was back in the summer.  Here in the UK, Autumn is almost in full flow and some of my long arm quilting customers are getting ready for Christmas ...

Techniques: Applique
Pieces: 5

 

Dear Jane Quilt - Block A7 Dad's Plaids

Dear Jane Quilt - Block A7 Dad's Plaids

I think this is the first bit of applique that I have enjoyed.  Each of the melons are about 2" long and I was stitching them onto fabric that was still backed with its paper template which made it behave whist I stitched.  I had to remember to slip the paper out just in time ... To get the shape of the melons I gathered the fabric around a paper form / template, gave it a blast of spray starch and then gave it a good press.  The points aren't REALLY pointy, but I think I have got away with it.

Techniques: English Paper Piecing, Applique
Pieces: 8
 

Dear Jane Quilt - Draw 6, A7, E4, F13, I1

Dear Jane Quilt - September 2015 Progress

We have reached October and I have been doing my Dear Jane quilt for nearly 6 weeks.  This photo shows most of the blocks so far, along with the image on the sidebar.  That lone red block stands out amongst the sea of orange blocks.


Dear Jane Quilt - Draw 5, A2, H9, I11, M3

Here are the most recent completed Dear Jane blocks, which makes it time for the next draw.

Dear Jane Quilt - Draw 6

A7 - Dad's Plaids
E4 - Buffalo Tree Hopper
F13 - Tour de France
I1 - Ralph and Nelda's Wedding
 
ORANGE AGAIN!  Once these are done I will have done 20 of the 44 orange blocks that I need to do, so not even half way yet!

Joining up with Crazy Mom Quilts!

Dear Jane Quilt - Block I11 Coyote Chase

Dear Jane Quilt - Block I11 Coyote Chase

Only 9 pieces in this block.  If I had chosen to keep the backing as one piece it would have only been 6.  I thought by piecing the backing, I would have the seams as guidelines for placing the centre square - which it did.  In order to place the diamond shapes I folded the fabric (with the paper in the back) on the diagonal.   It all seemed to work out fine.

I have had some queries about English Paper Piecing.  I haven't ever used a book for this as it is something I 'just know' - does anyone else have any good books they use for the technique?  When I remember I will break down the process and do a little tutorial. Watch this space ...

Techniques: English Paper Piecing, Applique
Pieces: 9

Dear Jane Quilt - Block A2 One, Two Buckle My Shoe

Dear Jane Quilt - Block A2 One, Two Buckle My Shoe


One, Two, Buckle Your Shoe, Block A2, is made up of squares, rectangles and triangles.  Simple to put together with EPP.

Way back when I started this blog in 2012 I was considering doing the Farmers Wife Sampler Quilt.  I got the book and everything, but in the end I chose to do the Nearly Insane quilt.  You may have seen on Facebook or at Gnome Angel that there is a Farmers Wife Quilt Along.  Looking at the book again, most of the Farmer Wife blocks are made up from squares and triangles, just like this block.  Some naughty people are encouraging me to join in with the quilt along - will I resist ... 

Techniques: English Paper Piecing
Pieces: 40

Dear Jane Quilt - Block H 9 Snowflake Melt

Dear Jane Quilt - Block H 9 Snowflake Melt

I took this block away with me over the weekend, only to realise that I had forgotten to pack my fine silk thread for applique.  I used the time to English Paper Piece the background and then added the four diamonds on top as applique pieces once I returned home.  They were quite small (less than an inch) and I found them quite fiddly to attach, but again I got there in the end.

Techniques: English Paper Piecing, Applique
Pieces: 20

Miniature Block of the Month September 2015 - The Quilt Room

Miniature Block of the Month September 2015 - The Quilt Room

I had been hoping to get this BOM done earlier this month, but it was only released earlier this week.  It is nearly six weeks ago that I did the last one and the foundation piecing never seems to get easier.  It goes in a pattern of stitch a row, unpick it, stitch it again, move on.  With the magic of editing software I have digitally trimmed it so you can't see the errors!


Miniature Block of the Month September 2015 - The Quilt Room

There are only three left to go and then I will have to think about how I will set them as a quilt.

Dear Jane Quilt - Block M3 Fireweed Flower

Dear Jane Quilt - Block M3 Fireweed Flower

This is Fireweed Flower, Block M3.  I think I have mixed up the colour / neutral positions of the fabric on this compared to the original.  I suggest you don't compare my Dear Jane quilt to the original as it is already doing a lot of things to suit itself.

Again, this was a block that I was bit nervous about.  I did it English Paper Piecing (what else?), but lots of the pieces were not symmetrical, as you can see from these little beasties which are just 1/4" wide with random pointy bits on them.  If you are doing this block yourself, I suggest you refer to the diagram A LOT, to ensure you are getting everything in the right place at the right time.  Just two unpicks for me on this one. 

Techniques: English Paper Piecing
Pieces: 25

Dear Jane Quilt - Draw 5, A2, H9, I11, M3

Dear Jane Quilt - Blocks B11, D5, F8 L11

Here is a pleasing set of blocks from my Dear Jane Quilt, Draw 4.  They are going to be placed in the same position, but mirrored in four different corners of the quilt, so I hope that in the overall scheme of things they will balance nicely.  You can get the idea of how my quilt is coming along by the image on the sidebar.
 
The next Draw has taken place

A2 - One Two Buckle My Shoe
H9 - Snowflake Melt
I11 - Coyote Chase
M3 - Fireweed Flower

Yes, believe it or not it is ORANGE AGAIN!  If only I had a consistent run on the lottery ....
 

Dear Jane Quilt - Block B11 Melissa's Cross

Dear Jane Quilt - Block B11 Melissa's Cross

Before I started this Dear Jane block, I could see that there were a number of different ways to approach it.  For the majority of it English Paper Piecing would do a sound job, but those curved corner bits which end up as nothing were going to be a bit tricky.  I did it EPP, but you can see that the edges are a bit shabby.  I intend to hide all this once it is constructed and the sashing goes on.

Techniques: English Paper Piecing
Pieces: 21

Dear Jane Quilt - Block L11 Caitlin's Rose

Dear Jane Quilt - Block L11 Caitlin's Rose

I have a had a busy few days working on my Dear Jane blocks.  I am still working in orange and I am still using English Paper Piecing, which seems to be working out very satisfactorily for this project.
Although this looks like a simple Dear Jane block, I was a little scared of it because of the diamond shapes.  I got caught out on diamond shapes on some of my Nearly Insane blocks, so I was sure to mark which were long edges and which were short edges before I started to construct it.

Techniques: English Paper Piecing
Pieces: 21

Linking Up with Design Wall Monday

Dear Jane Quilt - Block F8 Church Window

Dear Jane Quilt - Block F8 Church Window

Having just done a Cathedral window  for the Dear Jane quilt, I have now done a Church Window (Block F8).  Again, another easy one as far as I am concerned.
Whenever I do a block from the 'F' row it reminds me of the function keys on a computer and how in the pre-Windows era that was how we did fancy stuff on a computer.

Techniques: English Paper Piecing
Pieces: 37

Dear Jane Quilt - Block D5 Cathedral Window

Dear Jane Quilt - Block D5 Cathedral Window

This was a lovely simple Dear Jane block called Cathedral Window (D5).  Easy to cut out, easy to sew together. Still no papers have been taken out so far.  You would think I would learn from the Nearly Insane quilt.  I just need to sort out my sashings, which is a project in the pipeline.

BTW I am amazed by all the encouraging comments you are sending.  I would love to reply, but it appears that many of you are No Reply Bloggers.  I know when I started blogging I didn't realise I was a No Reply Blogger.  Here at Happy Hour Projects there is post on how to check your status.

Techniques: English Paper Piecing
Pieces: 21

Dear Jane Quilt - Draw 4, B11, D5, F8, L11

Dear Jane Quilt - Draw 3, C12, E8, F5, G10

With much fewer pieces and smaller blocks, some of these Dear Jane blocks can be completed in just an evening.  I think I averaged about four blocks a month with the Nearly Insane, but these are being completed much faster. But then again there are quite a few more.

The blocks for Draw 4 are :

B11 - Melissa's Cross
D5 - Cathedral Window
F8 - Church Window
L11 - Caitlin's Rose

Looking at my colour scheme this draw is orange AGAIN.  All this orange made me wonder how many of each colour I would actually be doing, so here is the data.

	Blocks	Triangle
Red	29 (17%)	8 (14%)
Purple	12 (7%)	8 (14%)
Blue	20 (12%)	8 (14%)
Green	28 (16%)	8 (14%)
Yellow	36 (21%)	12 (22%)
Orange	44 (26%)	12 (22%)

So, yes, there are twice as many orange blocks than some of the other colours which explains why they keep coming up in the draw.

Dear Jane Quilt - Block G-10 Woven Meadow

Dear Jane Quilt - Block G-10 Woven Meadow

I think this quilt block pops up in all the various sampler quilts.  It is called G10 Woven Meadow in this quilt, but is also known as Chimney Sweep or Album block.  It was one of the early blocks I did for my Nearly Insane quilt, but even though it was a bigger block it had ten less pieces than this one which is just 4.5".

I am using an orange fabric from Kim Diehl's Hearthside Seasons range in this block.

Techniques: English Paper Piecing
Pieces: 39

Dear Jane Quilt - Block F-5 Parcheesi



Dear Jane Quilt - Block F-5 Parcheesi

One of the reasons I enjoy English Paper Piecing is that I can take it anywhere and that I can stitch whilst we are in the car.  I am finding the applique blocks a bit more of a challenge when we are driving and had to wait until we were stationary to stitch this one. 
Because of the applique, this block took me ages.  For block F5 Parcheesi, I have sewn eight pieces of fabric onto another and it seemed to take all the mental energy of running a marathon.  However, I am more satisfied with the neatness with this one - I think we are moving forward.

BTW: Parcheesi is a board game
Next block, please ....

Techniques: Applique
Pieces: 9

Dear Jane Quilt - Block C-12 Family Reunion

Dear Jane Quilt - Block C-12 Family Reunion

I was back in my comfort zone with this one. Lots of little English Paper Piecing squares, again just half an inch square.  Block C12, Family Reunion is a mini Irish Chain block and whenever I do small squares like this it reminds me of my scrappy Irish Chain quilt and makes me think how great it would be to do one with just half inch squares...


Suzi the cat helps out with rotary cutting

You will see from the photo that Suzi the cat is pleased that I am on another marathon sewing project.  She has been helping out with the rotary cutting and with only a few blocks done so far she is able to get them all onto the floor with just one swipe of her tail.

Techniques: English Paper Piecing
Pieces: 49

Dear Jane Quilt - Block E-8 Mama's Maze



Dear Jane Quilt - Block E-8 Mama's Maze

I am never happier than when I am doing English Paper Piecing.  I know what I am doing, I know what result I want and I can take it anywhere.  E8 Mama's Maze was a joy to do as it was lovely little squares and rectangles that all went neatly together.  The small squares are half an inch square.


Dear Jane Quilt - Block E-8 Mama's Maze

I completed this block whilst away over the wet August Bank Holiday weekend.  We were in our camper van and I had many happy hours sewing whilst I waited for the rain to stop.  It did eventually.

Dear Jane Quilt - Block E-8 Mama's Maze

Techniques: English Paper Piecing
Pieces:33