Just squeaking in

for this month's post.  I made just the one block this month, at least is progress.

M13

I can't remember which variation of this block I did, or maybe I did my own variation, anyway I stitched together 4 squares of the background fabric, then appliqued the centre square and the outside curved pieces, then trimmed back to size.  I think I will have to pull the points together a bit more as the 1/4" seam allowance will cut them off.

My first two Blocks...

It's taken me a while, but tonight I've made a start on my babies...

10 done for January

I have completed the following 10 blocks over my holiday break. Seeing I'm doing them all by hand I take them away with me.

These are: C5, B9, B7 and A13
and these are: B10, B11, C2, B8, A11, A12

A block and a triangle

Second post in a month, I hope I can keep up throughout the year!
I have finally completed the triangle I started over a week ago before the week-end. TR12 Jane's Oak was a simple applique triangle but it was a good one to start back on the triangles

I have also completed a block - applique again - B12 Starflower

This takes my total to 113 blocks, 6 triangles and 2419 pieces so far!
Celine

New Janiac joins the group

Hi, I'm Sandi and I blog at Piecemeal Quilts. On a recent post, LynCC commented and let me know about your group, and boy am I glad she did! Not only is there eye candy galore here, I'm hoping that the inspiration and shared struggle will keep me going on my Plain Jane. Yep - "Plain Jane" is the name I've given it because I'm doing it entirely in solids. I chose a cool colorway comprised of blues, greens, purples and grey with a white background. I have the EQ software so here's an illustration of what it should look like:


I started a little over a year ago with the understanding that I'd do three blocks a week. I planned it all out ('cause I'm a planner!) with charts and color placement and degree of difficulty. That lasted a little over a month, then I got to my first applique block. Mmm, applique, not so much. I tried skipping on to another pieced block, but other things happened and I sort of lost my quilting mojo. For eight months I wallowed in the bog of uninspiration, until finally I finished a quilt for my own bed. Finishes are invigorating, aren't they? At our next quilting day, I polished off two Jane blocks, and did another a week later. I also got moving on some other projects, and - woohoo! - the quilting mojo is back! Here's what I have for blocks so far:


Not a lot, just sixteen blocks, but I really like the colors and as long as I keep in mind that this is a (VERY) long term project, I think I'll stay on track. So... thanks for the inspiration, and the opportunity to share my Jane journey with you!

Back on track!!

I am now back from a wonderful month at the beach!!!
I can now publish the blocks I have been working on while I was away :-)
Here are the first few......

C-8 Hani's Crown

C-9 Jane's Tears

C-10 Patriot's Lantern

C-11 Soldiers and Sailors Monument

C-12 Family Reunion

C-13 Lakota Sioux

A3 Hunter's Moon - finally one block finished!

STOP PRESS: I have completed one Dear Jane block yesterday afternoon!

OK it was a relatively easy one that I choose to do with reverse applique but it is a milestone for me as I hadn't done a block since 2007. I did 3 triangles in 2010 but that was the extent of my progress in the last 4 to 5 years. Anyway, here is my A3 which will definitely feature in the "Finished is better than Perfect" category!
This blocks now bring me to 112 blocks completed and 2415 pieces altogether.

I have selected a new block for this week, I'll try to complete B12 while also working on one (or more) triangles if possible.
Celine

A few weeks' worth of Baby Janes

I haven't posted over here for a while - it was a crazy break time at our place with all the kids home from their schools, but as of right now, they're all tucked in back at their far-flung places. I did manage to get more Janes done up than I thought I would:

A-11

A-12

A-13

B-12

C-11

C-13

TR-11

Which brings my Rainbow Jane to this point after 5 months of work:

E6, E8 & F5 completed

Posting this picture to show how many I have done so far. 

These are the three I completed last week.

E6 – Michelle’s Medley

E8 – Mama’s Maze

E5 - Parcheesi

If all goes well, I hope to be piecing the sashings this afternoon. Can’t wait to see how this turns out. I’ll post about my progress real soon. 

You can also read my letters to Jane. Just click here.

Helen, the quiltmaker   

Finally Some More Blocks.....

Finally I found some time to do some more of my Dear Jane blocks...
Thank goodness this isn't a race!!!
I have now finished D-3, B-13 and B-1...
3 nice, easy, quick ones!

B-13

D-3

Teresa (allthingsvintage)

These two blocks are my contribution for the month of January. These blocks I did with Paper Piecing technique and following the most that I can the original colors ofthe quilt DJ.

I take this opportunity to wish you a successful and prosperous in all respects by 2012.

A hug,

Yasmin

(Spanish)

Estos dos blocks son mi aporte para el mes de Enero. Estos blocks yo los hice con la técnica Paper Piecing y siguiendo lo más que puedo los colores originales de la colcha DJ.

Aprovecho esta oportunidad para desearles un exitoso y próspero año 2012 en todos sus aspectos.

Un abrazo,

:)Yasmin:)

patchworkmipasion.blogspot.com

Block C-1

Block B-13

First Dear Jane Block from THE BOOK

Finally started.  I had completed one other block from the BOM that Brenda published on the Dear Jane web site in 2010.  However, I didn't get the book until Christmas, so after procrastinating for a little while, I sat down and hand pieced and appliqued the block.

Being such small blocks, accuracy is extremely important, so the simple block got a little more complicated as the thickness of the pen I used to draw my applique template made them just that little bit too big to fit on the block.  So a little bit of fiddling and re-drawing and re-cutting and I had one Dear Jane Block!

This is A-7 Dad's Plaids

Now to pick another and get going on that one.  The weather has turned so hot here that it is not conducive to anything.  I didn't sew at all yesterday - just read and played Rummy-O with the kids.  Oh, well - we need those sorts of days, too.

Cheers

Marg

Finally Something to Show

This is the first time I have been able to post some new blocks after I revealed what I started back in 2007.  I had intention of making some of my blocks last month but that didn't happen.  So I stopped all other sewing for an afternoon so I could do what I had planned, and that is to get back to working on my DJ.

C-9

A-6

C-12

B-1



It feels so good that I have actually made a few. It's like getting back on a bike, it all come backs to you .

Till next time
Kat
=^..^=

E-12 - Mary Ruth's Corset

I can't believe I haven't made any blocks for a whole month! Well, I'm back on track now! I did a block count and to finish by my Birthday in August I need to make 4 blocks every week from now on, so count on seeing me posting more regularly.


After looking at the block for a bit I decided the best way to approach it was to seminole piece the center. I was thrilled that I got it right the first time! Last time I attempted the same technique it took me three tries to size it correctly.
I liked it really well after adding the first two flying geese pieces!

And the finish! This one came out gorgeous!
I think I'm going to do one applique and one side triangle every week. I noticed that I tend to skip the applique blocks, so I need to make sure I keep up on those as I go! I hope to have some time this week to try putting them all into a collage. We'll see how it works!

G6..I never want to do that again

Now that we're a week in to 2012, I thought I would spend a snowy, NFL playoff filled day working on a Dear Jane block that had me very intimidated. G6, Papa's Star. It sits there, just to the left of center telling me, "I'm gonna be a doozie." In the time it took the New York Giants and the Atlanta Falcons to play a full 60 minutes of football, it took me to finish Papa's Star.

I used my Dear Jane software to print the foundation patterns because as you can see, parts of this block are itty bitty..  The 3 sections of the center star...

I placed my sewing scissors next to the pieces so you could get some perspective. See what I mean? They are TINY.  Here's the finished center star...

That's just a regular shirt button that I placed next to it. This center star is what took most of my attention,  i was trying to eliminate a lot of the bulky excess fabric because I know when the time comes it will be difficult to quilt through all those layers.  Adding the star points wasn't so difficult and went relatively quickly.

Papa's Star was tough. but I am happy with the results.  Just like the original Dear Jane, this block isn't perfect, but it makes me happy to have it behind me.

Using EQ7 and Dear Jane quilt

I've been completing the lessons on the EQ7 program for Dear Jane.  Looks like a fantastic program for designing quilts and making changes.  I want to make the classic Dear Jane so will probably not need most of the features, but I'll be able to print out the patterns for the blocks so that will save some time - I hope!

I've been reading Brenda's book - she has some great hints for completing the blocks.  I've picked a few easier ones - as I'm on holidays and have a limited range of sewing tools.  Although probably more than Jane did when she made her original quilt!!

Hoping for some real progress to show soon.

Cheers

Marg 

NO photos :-(

I am having a bit of trouble posting anything at the moment a I don't have access to my computer, only my iPad. Won't let me put photos on the blogs even though I can load them to the iPad. I have been flying along with my DJ with a fabulous view over the ocean!!!! Have completed row C and am busy joining them all together. Will post pictures when I can.

E7 & D7 done

Have to post a picture of the two blocks I completed this week. This is D7 - Meeting Place.

And this is E7 - Bread Basket.

You can read more about it here on my blog.

Helen, the quiltmaker. (yes, another Janiac)