E3 - Paddle Wheels

In some respects, I felt that I was up the creek without a paddle. I wasn't sure how to work out the dimensions of the pinwheels. I added a quarter of an inch right around the triangle and then worked out what the square size would be. Is there any easier way?

C3 - Rayelle's Fence

I struggled with this block. I had to work out the dimensions of 3 different pieces and it had me baffled. I think I got it.

They call this Rayelle's Fence. I'd like to rename it Shauna's Hurdle. I feel that I've jumped a hurdle in the last few blocks. Whilst the blocks haven't been completed perfectly, I have actually given them a try, I've jumped out of my comfort zone.

D12 - Field of Dreams

This was a fairly easy block to do once I worked out the dimensions. I'm trying to look at the drawn block and work out the dimensions by adding a quarter inch around the pieces. Not sure if this is how you'd do it - I wonder if this would've usually been done doing foundation piecing. I haven't quite got the idea of foundation piecing so if I can machine piece then machine piece I will.

As I made this block, I thought about my dreams. How important it is to dream. How simple this block was. Is it as simple to fulfill your dreams?

C12 - Family Reunion

I really enjoyed doing this block. Whilst it was very fiddly -49 pieces in the block - it was great to get the final result. Again, precision is lacking but I did it.

I'm beginning to see what Cheryl means about using a quality background fabric. Look at all the fraying strands.

H10 - Ben's Bowtie

I really got out of my comfort zone here in attempting Ben's Bowtie (H10). I followed some instructions from a website and am not really happy with the result but I guess we'll see later down the track. This block took me ages to complete. When I looked at the instructions, I thought it couldn't be too difficult. Well once I'd done the corner pieces, I was flabergasted...the instructions then told me to cut them down to 1 1/4" blocks - I had to cut them down signficantly.

I had read somewhere not to be too hung up on the precision piecing - that it is better to jump in and actually finish a block. I struggle with this concept....however look...I finished it. The block may look a bit better when I've squared it up.

Learning as I go

My online friend Cheryl has kindly offered to give me assistance if needed during my Dear Jane journey. It's so kind of her. I really can't believe that someone out there in the ether would be so kind. Cheryl has a blog...why not visit and say g'day... http://www.quilty43.blogspot.com/

She gave me a few tips and after making a couple of blocks, I really should have taken her advice but I was just too excited to get started.

Tip 1 - use good quality fabric.

I was going to use calico as my background fabric. I'd used calico in my best quilt yet and was really happy with the result after it was professionally quilted. Apparently the thread count in calico isn't very good and will make it harder when doing more intricate blocks.

I had thus decided I'd use multiple background fabrics so that I could start using up some of my stash.

I did 3 blocks and then realised that I'd probably end up having to use the fabric more than once in the quilt.

So the next morning I decided to unpick the blocks and use calico. If things don't go too well with the calico, well.....it's a practice run.

Here are the re-made blocks.

Simple Simon:

Simple Simon reversed:

Uncle Homer:


Uncle Homer reversed:

Four Corner Press:

Four Corner Press reversed:

3rd block completed - B13 - Four Corner Press

Yes, I chickened out and chose an easy looking block again! Here's the Four Corner Press (B13).

2nd block completed - A6 - Uncle Homer

Uncle Homer (A6) was a very easy block to complete. Phew!

Where did I buy the Dear Jane literature?

I bought the Dear Jane literature from www.ozquilts.com.au who are in Mt Waverley, Victoria, Australia. But it can also be purchased from www.ezquilt.com

What did I buy? The Dear Jane set which included the Dear Jane book by Brenda Papadakis, the Dear Jane software and Ruler Set.

The service was very prompt and all goods were received in good order. After sales service was excellent.

I'll definitely be buying items from ozquilts again. Thank you, Maree.

First block completed - M10 - Simple Simon

First block completed on 3 April 2009! Woohoo! Simple Simon is his name and he is a 9 patch block. I chose a block that I have done before.

How I found Dear Jane

This blog is about my Dear Jane journey.

I was introduced to Dear Jane when visiting the Dalgety Show on the 8th of March 2009. Upon entering the hall to look at the quilt display, I found the most exquisite quilt hanging on the wall. I don't know who made it but knew that something like this was what I'd been looking to do for a future quilting project. At the time I didn't know she was a Dear Jane replica...she just intrigued me.

I could not contemplate the work involved to finish the quilt. Each block was different. Each block was so small. I had been wanting to do a quilt with a collection of different blocks, so that I could learn different quilting techniques. I had found it!

Here is a photo of the Dear Jane quilt displayed at the show. Quilter unknown.

It was only a couple of days later that I found out that the quilt was a Dear Jane replica. Dear Jane is a quilt made by Jane A Stickle in 1863. There are 225 blocks in the quilt, each block being of a 4.5 x 4.5 inch finished size.