A Quilter's Journey Back in Time

Border Top Row 2

2012-02-06T20:30:00.000-05:00

Difficulty of block: easy
Number of pieces: 20
Method used: hand piecing

Way too much time has passed between blocks, how easy it is to forget when you stop following routine. One thing I find though is it takes less time to piece a triangle then a center block. So, maybe it is still possible to complete all 52 border triangles before the year ends or did I just get lucky with the first two?

Border Top Row 1

2012-01-19T11:20:00.000-05:00

Difficulty of block: easy
Number of pieces: 23
Method used: hand piecing

Nervous and excited at the same time, it was like starting a whole new quilt, completed almost two weeks ago, my first border triangle. I must say, it did feel a little funny working in a different shape.

My original plan for 2012 was to continue at one a week and complete all 52 border triangles before the end of the year, but I think it is time for a change. My weekly Dear Jane block came first over all other quilting projects for 3.25 years and I feel now I would like to slow it down a bit. Just a bit, after all, what are a few months more on a 4.25 year plan anyway?

I-13

2011-12-29T10:57:00.000-05:00

Difficulty of block: easy
Number of pieces: 49
Method used: hand piecing

And there we have it, my last center block, Sweet Harmony!

G-7

2011-12-23T14:13:00.000-05:00

Difficulty of block: easy
Number of pieces: 21
Method used: hand piecing, hand applique

In the Dear Jane book, Indianapolis had been altered from the original pattern, but was an easy fix, so I fixed it. That leaves one center block to go and eight days till the end of the year; I'm thinking I can do it. And, Merry Christmas to all!

F-11

2011-12-23T12:55:00.000-05:00

Difficulty of block: easy
Number of pieces: 20
Method used: hand piecing, hand applique

I wasn't sure how to approach On Target, should I applique or piece the 'V' shaped pieces (dark orange) to the corner appliqued squares? After much hemming and hawing I decided piecing was the way to go.

L-10

2011-12-18T12:19:00.000-05:00

Difficulty of block: easy

Number of pieces: 49

Method used: hand piecing

I made sure Nan's Naiad was an easy block to piece by eliminating the applique and adding and subtracting seams, all within the top and bottom border pieces.

Just a little applique to go and I will be finished F-11, then on to G-7 and I-13. I will post them as time allows and hopefully before the end of the year.

C-7

2011-12-11T12:16:00.000-05:00

Difficulty of block: moderate

Number of pieces: 45

Method used: hand piecing, hand applique

The colour of Megan's Mountain Laurel has me thinking of Gingerbread cookies, maybe now would be a good time to bake up a batch or two.

A-12

2011-12-04T11:05:00.000-05:00

Difficulty of block: moderate

Number of pieces: 41

Method used: hand piecing

December already and the count down to Christmas has begun. With the completion of Framed Fancy I am now left with five center blocks to complete before the end of the year, so off to my sewing room for a day of preparation.

B-11

2011-11-27T11:35:00.000-05:00

Difficulty of block: moderate

Number of pieces: 21

Method used: hand piecing, hand applique

I was holding back on Melissa's Cross, trying to decide how to handle the curves, I went with applique. Love the fabrics together, but maybe not enough contrast?

K-10

2011-11-20T11:45:00.000-05:00

Difficulty of block: easy

Number of pieces: 39

Method used: hand piecing

Now, isn't Quandary an interesting block, almost looks like a mistake!

B-4

2011-11-13T08:44:00.000-05:00

Difficulty of block: easy

Number of pieces: 21

Method used: hand piecing

With only nine center blocks to go, I decided to bookmark the page of each remaining block, but could only find eight blocks. I went through the book several times without any luck, finally I realized B-4 did not have a check mark by the block name, but numbers had been penciled in on the template. So, this is my missing block and I think the last of the very easy ones.

B-6

2011-11-07T21:16:00.000-05:00

Difficulty of block: moderate

Number of pieces: 43

Method used: hand piecing

I just finished last week's block today. All was going well until I discovered I pieced the center of Wild Goose Chase incorrectly, but everything is good now!

L-12

2011-10-30T20:05:00.000-04:00

Difficulty of block: easy

Number of pieces: 27

Method used: hand piecing, hand applique

An afternoon tea break was all the time I needed to piece together Sally's Pride, but then it took me a whole evening to applique the four tiny triangles. How crazy is that! Happy Halloween!!!!

B-12 and E-11

2011-10-24T21:30:00.000-04:00

Difficulty of block: easy

Number of pieces: 6

Method used: hand applique

Is it a Starflower or is it Indian corn? I did something I have not done before, on my Dear Jane Journey, and that is changing the shape of an applique piece. Before I even started I reduced the size of the center piece and the petals so that it would be more like the original. The center piece was a fun shape and easy enough to applique, but the print of the fabric made it look like I stitched a very sloppy square, so I decided to replace it with a real square instead.

Difficulty of block: moderate

Number of pieces: 13

Method used: hand applique

Yes, you are seeing correctly, I made two blocks last week; this one is called Wagon Wheel. Why two blocks? Well, I was thinking how it would be nice to have the center blocks completed by the end of the year, so that next year could be the year of border blocks. And, because I am so close to finishing the blocks anyway, I would only have to double up a couple of times.

F-9

2011-10-16T10:59:00.000-04:00

Difficulty of block: moderate

Number of pieces: 13

Method used: hand applique

Blooming away in my garden right now is a pretty purple fall Aster, so it just seemed fitting to stitch the Autumn Aster block in purple.

F-1

2011-10-10T09:58:00.000-04:00

Difficulty of block: easy

Number of pieces: 24

Method used: hand piecing, hand applique

Back from a lovely fall road trip and celebrating Thanksgiving today. The turkey is in the oven and I just finished piecing together Big Top. Perfect for the season is this wonderful Jo Morton fabric.

I-12

2011-10-02T10:26:00.000-04:00

Difficulty of block: easy

Number of pieces: 41

Method used: hand piecing

Fall is definitely in the air as I post Fred's Square Fair. It has been raining for days now and the temperature has dropped from 30 (85 F) to 5 (42 F) in less than a week, the perfect Sunday to cozy up and quilt.

M-4

2011-09-27T14:55:00.000-04:00

Difficulty of block: easy
Number of pieces: 49
Method used: hand piecing

Oh dear, I am a little late posting last week's block, Stepping Stones. It has been very busy around here and zero time for blogging, but when the service man arrived for the annual furnace/air maintenance visit, I grabbed my camera and got down to business.

A-9

2011-09-18T21:43:00.000-04:00

Difficulty of block: moderate
Number of pieces: 45
Method used: hand piecing

I really like Cabin Fever, but I think it has more to do with the fabric colour then the pattern. My favourite colour is green and green is the predominate colour in my stash. Interesting though, I have made very few blocks with green in them. I best be making a few more, as soon I will run out of center blocks to make.

M-7

2011-09-11T11:41:00.000-04:00

Difficulty of block: easy

Number of pieces: 10

Method used: hand applique

The sweet scent of a rose garden, Junko's Rose Garden.

I'd rather have roses on my table than diamonds on my neck.

~Emma Goldman

D-11

2011-09-04T08:17:00.000-04:00

Difficulty of block: moderate easy

Number of pieces: 17

Method used: hand piecing, hand applique

September already, but you would not know it with the heat and humidity around here, so to cool things off, a little Snow Crystal.

A-3

2011-08-29T11:26:00.001-04:00

Difficulty of block: easy

Number of pieces: 8

Method used: hand piecing, hand applique

Here is my block for last week, Hunter's Moon. After a long hard look at the original block and trying to distinguish seams from creases, I decided to piece it this way. I may be wrong, but I am happy with it anyway.

I-10

2011-08-21T11:01:00.000-04:00

Difficulty of block: easy
Number of pieces: 25
Method used: hand piecing

As I prepared Iris' Medallion for piecing, I thought it might pose a problem, but I was wrong. It was rather easy and all came down to the order in which it was pieced.

C-10

2011-08-14T12:38:00.000-04:00

Difficulty of block: easy

Number of pieces: 37

Method used: hand piecing

This week's block is Patriot's Lantern and before you go, how about a little fix of Dear Jane Inspiration.

B-2

2011-08-07T12:09:00.004-04:00

Difficulty of block: moderate easy

Number of pieces: 16

Method used: hand piecing, hand applique

Similar to B-3, Sweet Tater Pie was fast and fun, with double the pieces.

K-8

2011-07-31T11:52:00.001-04:00

Difficulty of block: easy
Number of pieces: 23
Method used: hand piecing

One straight seam after the next made Springbrook Park a really easy block to piece, a fun block, more like an amusement park.

E-7

2011-07-24T11:20:00.000-04:00

Difficulty of block: moderate easy

Number of pieces: 37

Method used: hand piecing

In the book, Brenda's draft of Bread Basket is comprised of 30 pieces. To make it easier for stitching I increased the pieces to 37, but if you look at the original block it is made up of 41 pieces. So, to end up with 5602 pieces like the original quilt, even if you are following the book, is just not going to happen, but it's still fun to watch the numbers grow.

J-7

2011-07-16T13:39:00.001-04:00

Difficulty of block: easy
Number of pieces: 41
Method used: hand piecing

For a minute I thought there was a repeat in the Dear Jane blocks, but the layout for Chicken Tracks turned out to be different then Family Reunion.

With just 26 center blocks to go, things are starting to happen; I'm starting to complete rows. All the blocks are now done in rows H and J and just one more block to go to complete rows D and G. Maybe now would be a good time to start preparing sashing pieces, so I can be stitching the blocks together as I finish the rows. Maybe!

H-8

2011-07-10T14:47:00.000-04:00

Difficulty of block: moderate easy

Number of pieces: 36

Method used: hand piecing, hand applique

It is hard to say for sure, from the photo of the original block, if Eaton's Crossroads was all pieced, but I kind of think it was. I'm pretty sure I can see seam lines at the corners of the center square. Anyway, I decided to piece together the circle, and then applique it to the square. The only problem with this is having to deal with seam bulk when turning under to applique. I thinned it out some and all in all it didn't turn out too bad. Reverse applique would be another option for the center circle.

M-13

2011-07-03T11:28:00.002-04:00

Difficulty of block: easy

Number of pieces: 12

Method used: hand piecing, hand applique

If I was to start my Dear Jane Journey all over again, I don't think I would rate difficulty levels for each block. I think it all depends on what point of your journey you are at and the block you select at the time.

Working from a book with basically no instruction can be very discouraging or it can have the opposite effect. I am not one to be easily discouraged, many before me have successfully completed their Dear Jane Journey and so will I. We all begin with the same tools, we just have to believe we can do it.

Jane A. Stickles quilt is truly a labour of love and an excellent project to master the art of quilting. So, if you are thinking of starting a Dear Jane quilt, go for it. Or, if you have set one in progress aside, I encourage you to try again. For best results; think twice, stitch once. And, take it nice and slow.

My block this week is called, Lynette's Diamond.

F-2

2011-06-26T23:18:00.000-04:00

Difficulty of block: easy

Number of pieces: 28

Method used: hand piecing

Kaleidoscope was a very good name for this block, don't you think? The purple fabric caught my eye first, as I went through my stash, and when I came upon the blue fabric, I just knew I had a winning combination.

F-5

2011-06-19T20:01:00.001-04:00

Difficulty of block: easy

Number of pieces: 17

Method used: hand piecing, hand applique

It appears that the original Parcheesi block was all hand appliqued, but I thought it was a perfect block to hand piece, except for the melons. All I had to do was run a seam line from square to square (where the melons go) and I was left with 13 straight edged pieces to stitch together.

F-8

2011-06-12T21:16:00.000-04:00

Difficulty of block: easy

Number of pieces: 37

Method used: hand piecing

I didn't dare pick a fast block this week and it sure seemed like forever to piecing together Church Window.

B-3

2011-06-05T10:18:00.001-04:00

Difficulty of block: easy

Number of pieces: 8

Method used: hand piecing, hand applique

Fast and fun again this week with Mirror Image!

How could I resist a repeat of last week? As I flipped through the pages in search of my next Dear Jane block, I came across B-3 and knew this was the one.

G-1

2011-05-29T09:38:00.000-04:00

Difficulty of block: easy

Number of pieces: 8

Method used: hand piecing, hand applique

Fast and fun was Hattie's Hen House!

When I first started my Dear Jane journey, I was picking the easy ones, but soon began selecting more difficult or time consuming blocks, so that in the end, I would not be wishing for my journey to end. With just 33 center blocks to go, it's always nice to still find a fast and easy one.

H-2

2011-05-23T19:49:00.000-04:00

Difficulty of block: easy

Number of pieces: 24

Method used: hand piecing, hand applique

Just winding down from a busy long weekend and I realized I had yet to post last week's block, Jacob Anthony. All went well until it was time to applique the second triangle, three tries later and I had it in the correct position, but now it is a little misshaped and it is going to stay that way.

K-5

2011-05-15T10:19:00.002-04:00

Difficulty of block: easy

Number of pieces: 12

Method used: hand piecing, hand applique

Just Passing Through and another block completed on my Dear Jane Journey.

I-4

2011-05-08T00:21:00.001-04:00

Difficulty of block: easy

Number of pieces: 25

Method used: hand piecing, hand applique

Stability is the name of this block, a fast one to stitch and a pretty nice pattern too!

J-8

2011-05-01T10:51:00.001-04:00

Difficulty of block: easy
Number of pieces: 22
Method used: hand piecing, hand applique

I didn't notice until I started piecing Anne's Anchor together that Brenda changed the center squares a little from the original. So, I have listed this block on my sidebar as an, Oops! block. Then, I made a little Oops! of my own! But, I don't think you will even notice.

G-12

2011-04-24T10:14:00.001-04:00

Difficulty of block: easy
Number of pieces: 14
Method used: hand piecing, hand applique

Yes, I do know better by now, but I did it anyway. I really like the two fabrics together even though contrasting colour is the way to go. Still, Gloriae will find its place on my quilt top and bring a smile to my face each time I see it.

G-4

2011-04-17T10:36:00.001-04:00

Difficulty of block: difficult (keeping triangles straight)

Number of pieces: 29

Method used: hand piecing

Shutter Bug was not as easy as it looks and I even restarted the center twice, but still ended up with a slightly wonky middle. Things did get better as I went along and still pleasing to the eye it is.

E-9

2011-04-11T09:42:00.000-04:00

Difficulty of block: moderate (lining up bars)

Number of pieces: 35

Method used: hand piecing

The name of this block, Quilt Jail, had me wondering if it was because lines through the block made it look like the bars of a jail cell or if it had something to do with the difficulty of piecing. I think, maybe a little of both.

J-11

2011-04-03T09:08:00.003-04:00

Difficulty of block: moderate

Number of pieces: 7

Method used: hand applique

Perfect placement was key with Twin Sister to keep the melons from extending past the seam lines.

I began the week with a bad headache and ended up going with the book version of the block. Changing it to look more like the original seemed like more of a headache at the time. Later in the week, as I pieced my block together, with a clearer head, I discovered it would have been fairly easy to change it over.

I-6

2011-03-27T00:06:00.005-04:00

Difficulty of block: easy
Number of pieces: 9
Method used: hand piecing, hand applique

Viewer's Choice, the perfect block to indulge one's self with a little fussy cutting.

J-5

2011-03-20T09:44:00.001-04:00

Difficulty of block: easy
Number of pieces: 13
Method used: hand piecing

John Jacob's Windmill was another block that I have been avoiding, thinking it was going to be a nasty one to piece, but it turned out to be effortless. I did adjust the rounded bottoms of the pointed pieces to make them more like the original.

K-7

2011-03-13T09:52:00.002-04:00

Difficulty of block: easy

Number of pieces: 5

Method used: hand piecing, hand applique

For some reason I was thinking Rose of Sharing was going to be more difficult than it was. Brenda changed the flower from 4 pieces to 1 piece, to make it easier I guess, but I thought the original looked so much nicer and made it possible for some fussy cutting!

D-10

2011-03-06T11:05:00.005-05:00

Difficulty of block: easy

Number of pieces: 42

Method used: hand piecing

Battlefield is a busy little block that the block itself looks like a quilt.

E-6

2011-02-28T10:17:00.002-05:00

Difficulty of block: moderate (tiny center pieces)

Number of pieces: 28

Method used: hand piecing, hand applique

The last block of February is Michelle's Medley and it comes with some tiny center pieces, which always adds to the fun. But, it does make pressing a little more difficult.

J-13

2011-02-20T09:35:00.001-05:00

Difficulty of block: easy
Number of pieces: 21
Method used: hand piecing, hand applique

For a fairly easy block, Pam's Bells turned out to be a bit of a challenge when, for some reason, I left almost nothing for seam allowance around the applique pieces. I have done this before, but not on every piece!

C-11

2011-02-13T11:05:00.001-05:00

Difficulty of block: easy

Number of pieces: 5

Method used: hand piecing, hand applique

By eliminating 7 pieces, I made Soldiers and Sailors Monument more like the original block. In the book, four extra seams were added to the border and the center also increased by four additional seams. I prefer the original way, as it doesn't look as choppy.

D-9

2011-02-06T12:08:00.000-05:00

Difficulty of block: easy

Number of pieces: 35

Method used: hand piecing

Uncle Richard is the name of this block and reminds me of G-10, Woven Meadow.

E-13

2011-01-30T10:39:00.000-05:00

Difficulty of block: easy

Number of pieces: 22

Method used: hand piecing, hand applique

The four little triangles in Moth in a Web had me a little nervous at first. But, once I decided to stitch the bottoms into the seam allowance and just applique the two sides everything worked out just fine.

C-6

2011-01-23T09:47:00.001-05:00

Difficulty of block: easy

Number of pieces: 5

Method used: hand applique

Just the right fabric can turn a plain block into a pretty block. I went with the original version of Ashley's Aura instead of following the pattern in the book. Though very interesting, it was much more involved. Maybe Brenda thought the original was boring, I did at first.

M-8

2011-01-16T10:59:00.001-05:00

Difficulty of block: easy
Number of pieces: 35
Method used: hand piecing

Enchanted Square was a yummy one to make, something about the fabric that once I started stitching I couldn't stop!

C-4

2011-01-09T12:59:00.001-05:00

Difficulty of block: moderate (inset seams)

Number of pieces: 33

Method used: hand piecing

Tic Tac Toe came with inset seams, but was a breeze compared to F-12. Brenda changed her pattern a little from the original by varying the sizes of the center squares. I think I prefer the original.

L-2

2011-01-02T13:27:00.001-05:00

Difficulty of block: easy
Number of pieces: 41
Method used: hand piecing

I reduced Stephanie's Snowflake by four pieces. Brenda drafted the pattern so the little points at the ends of the long thin pieces were separate. It only made sense to cut them as one, as they were from the same fabric.

As I was pressing this tiny block of many seams, I wondered how one would quilt these Dear Jane blocks? I can't imagine hand quilting through all the seams. Would it be wise to just quilt the sashing and border?

E-12

2010-12-26T06:32:00.001-05:00

Difficulty of block: easy
Number of pieces: 28
Method used: hand piecing

Here is my last block for 2010, Mary Ruth's Corset. It has been two years, two months since I started my Dear Jane journey and I am still enjoying every minute of it. I hope your Christmas was merry and bright and I wish you a Happy New Year!

F-12

2010-12-19T09:13:00.000-05:00

Difficulty of block: difficult (Inset seams)

Number of pieces: 16

Method used: hand piecing

Oh the dreaded inset seams! This was a hard one to manipulate for sure. A Y-seam would have been easier, as it has a seam leading to the pivot point. If I was to do Starburst again, I think I would go the applique route, but I am glad I gave it a go, as you can only get better with practice.

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!

H-9

2010-12-12T22:38:00.000-05:00

Difficulty of block: easy

Number of pieces: 20

Method used: hand piecing, hand applique

Just like our first snowfall of the season, Snowflake Melt. The rain washed it all away today, but tomorrow there will be more.

L-3

2010-12-07T21:30:00.002-05:00

Difficulty of block: easy

Number of pieces: 25

Method used: hand piecing

Last week was such a busy week that I didn't started working on Reflections Abound until Sunday. And, Monday was a full day of Christmas shopping, so today I finally finished last weeks block.

H-7

2010-11-28T22:37:00.000-05:00

Difficulty of block: easy

Number of pieces: 25

Method used: hand piecing

Bennington Star puts a smile on my face. It reminds me of the dark night sky we see this time of year. When the sky grows dark, it is time to cozy up inside.

B-10

2010-11-21T10:06:00.001-05:00

Difficulty of block: easy

Number of pieces: 27

Method used: hand piecing

Though I have listed Jud's Trophy as an easy block to make, this time of year, when the weather turns cold and damp, my hands have a mind of their own. I did decrease the number of pieces by two, to make it more like the original. That would be the very center piece, going up and down.

K-1

2010-11-14T09:34:00.001-05:00

Difficulty of block: easy

Number of pieces: 27

Method used: hand piecing

Crooked Creek made from two fabrics I really love. I don't think the original block had a border around it, but I liked it, so I left it.

K-4

2010-11-08T20:24:00.001-05:00

Difficulty of block: easy

Number of pieces: 21

Method used: hand piecing

I thought Thea's Turn was a bit of a boring block until I started piecing it together. To make it look more like the original I added an extra piece to each of the light coloured triangles around the block. And, it looks like I have to take this block back to the iron to press my seams a little better; a couple of points are missing!

A-7

2010-11-01T20:26:00.000-04:00

Difficulty of block: easy
Number of pieces: 8
Method used: hand piecing, hand applique

Dad's Plaids is the original name given to this block, but I think of the seashore when I look at my block. Is that a starfish I see?

G-9

2010-10-25T21:50:00.000-04:00

Difficulty of block: easy

Number of Pieces: 33

Method used: hand piecing

Autumn winds begin to blow;

Colored leaves fall fast and slow.

Twirling, whirling all around.

Till at last, they touch the ground.

Author Unknown

This poem describes perfectly what was going on outside my window as I pieced together Mary's Journey. Such a wonderful time of year!

E-8

2010-10-17T19:39:00.001-04:00

Difficulty of block: easy

Number of pieces: 33

Method used: hand piecing

Mama's Maze was prepped and ready for a road trip, but the fall scenery held my attention the whole time I had to piece my block together when I got home.

E-10

2010-10-10T10:04:00.000-04:00

Difficulty of block: easy

Number of pieces: 6

Method used: hand piecing, hand applique

I tried to make Five & Dime a little more like the original block by reducing the size of the melons, but something still doesn't look right about it. After a closer look, I think I should have also made the melons narrower. All in all, it is still a pretty nice block!

M-11

2010-10-04T20:59:00.002-04:00

Difficulty of block: easy

Number of pieces: 31
Method used: hand piecing

Last week almost slipped by without a Dear Jane block, but thanks to a rainy Sunday afternoon Rickshaw was completed.

I-11

2010-09-27T20:43:00.001-04:00

Difficulty of block: easy

Number of pieces: 12

Method used: hand piecing, hand applique

Coyote Chase is a quick to stitch block, with few pieces and just the right size applique.

F-6

2010-09-19T21:05:00.000-04:00

Difficulty of block: moderate (small applique pieces)
Number of pieces: 29
Method used: hand piecing, hand applique

Deanie's Daisies makes 100 center blocks completed, just 69 more to go!

M-9

2010-09-12T11:52:00.000-04:00

Difficulty of block: easy
Number of pieces: 28
Method used: hand piecing

Two weeks in a row, but this time I was on the ball. Fan Dance would also have become a mirror image if I didn't reverse the pattern. I ended up tracing the pattern as it appeared in the book and reversed the fabric colour placement instead.

G-2

2010-09-05T23:51:00.000-04:00

Difficulty of bock: easy

Number of pieces: 26

Method used: hand piecing

I made a mistake! The layout for Mohawk Trail is correct, but it came out mirror image. I should have traced the pattern in reverse. I also reduced the pattern by six pieces to make it like the original.

J-6

2010-08-30T09:37:00.000-04:00

Difficulty of block: easy
Number of pieces: 25
Method used: hand piecing

Dressed in her Sunday best, doesn't Granny Weaver look pretty in pink and brown?

D-2

2010-08-22T23:14:00.000-04:00

Difficulty of block: moderate

Number of pieces: 29

Method used: hand piecing

Mouse in a Mirror was lots of fun to make with all the set-in seams.

I-7

2010-08-15T21:12:00.001-04:00

Difficulty of block: moderate (tiny applique)
Number of pieces: 19
Method used: hand piecing, hand applique

Mac and Muff turned out to be a very pretty block. It looked so nice without the tiny triangles, I almost didn't add them.

D-5

2010-08-08T20:23:00.002-04:00

Difficulty of block: easy
Number of pieces: 21
Method used: hand piecing

Cathedral Window is another great block for fussy cutting.

E-3

2010-08-01T10:37:00.001-04:00

Difficult of block: easy

Number of pieces: 20

Method used: hand piecing

Paddle Wheels was original done in red and very well suited, I think. So, I selected some red fabric and black seemed like the appropriate choice to go with it. This is the first time I have used black fabric in one of my blocks.

C-13

2010-07-24T21:07:00.001-04:00

Difficulty of block: easy
Number of pieces: 21
Method used: hand piecing

I just love the original Lakota Sioux block, a simple design with excellent fabric. And, it introduces a third fabric to the block. Sadly, Brenda's redraft (in the book) was missing the four corner blocks for which the third fabric is used.

Just add four corner blocks was my plan, but it wasn't going to be that easy. Brenda also adjusted the size of the inner border and made it two sizes, so the corner blocks would also be two different sizes. Bummer, bummer, bummer! So as you can see I left well enough alone.

A-11

2010-07-18T14:48:00.000-04:00

Difficulty of block: moderate

Number of pieces: 37

Method used: hand piecing

If I am thinking correctly, Pebble's Protest is the first block I was not able to break down into smaller (perfect) units for piecing and I must say it was a nice little twist.

K-3

2010-07-08T13:40:00.000-04:00

Difficulty of block: easy
Number of pieces: 29
Method used: hand piecing

Seven Sisters makes 90 completed center blocks. Just 79 to go!

L-4

2010-07-04T09:14:00.000-04:00

Difficulty of block: easy
Number of pieces: 21
Method used: hand piecing

One always worries when piecing thin strips, but my St. George's Cross turned out pretty good. After being behind and not getting to my Dear Jane blocks until late in the week, over the past month, I had this one pieced on Monday and next weeks block is prepped and ready to go.

M-6

2010-06-27T10:03:00.002-04:00

Difficulty of block: easy

Number of pieces: 25

Method used: hand piecing

A little Simplicity is just what we need. I especially like the center, another fun block to make.

Look what was on display at the Shipshewana Quilt Festival this year, a very beautiful Dear Jane. The colour combination is just lovely, such an inspiration.

K-11

2010-06-20T22:18:00.000-04:00

Difficulty of block: easy
Number of pieces: 25
Method used: hand piecing

I like my Columbine block way better then Jane's! LOL. I think it's the green fabric. I just love that fabric!

G-5

2010-06-14T22:16:00.001-04:00

Difficulty of block: easy

Number of pieces: 8

Method used: hand piecing, hand applique

The name of this block is how last week went for me, Poof! It was late Sunday evening before I had a chance to prep my block, so I had to wait to stitch it this evening. It's late, but done. Not a very exciting block, or so I thought, but it turned out to be quite interesting even before the applique was added.

D-1

2010-06-06T11:31:00.001-04:00

Difficulty of block: easy

Number of pieces: 23

Method used: hand piecing

The name of this block is Alison's Guiding Light. Piecing thin strips is always a little tricky and you hope they look straight in the end.

G-8

2010-05-30T19:59:00.002-04:00

Difficulty of block: easy
Number of pieces: 16
Method used: hand piecing

Thank goodness it was a hot and humid day today or else I would not have completed my Dear Jane block for this week. As I rushed to meet the deadline, Justin's Comet was kind enough to be trouble free.

H-3

2010-05-22T23:22:00.000-04:00

Difficulty of block: easy
Number of pieces: 24
Method used: hand piecing

I think Berry Baskets was a perfect name for this block. I love baskets, so this was a fun one to make.

A-2

2010-05-16T13:42:00.000-04:00

Difficulty of block: easy
Number of pieces: 40
Method used: hand piecing

One Two Buckle My Shoe! Well, it certainly took a little longer to piece then to buckle my shoe, but worth the time it took.

B-7

2010-05-09T14:50:00.000-04:00

Difficulty of block: moderate
Number of pieces: 9
Method used: hand appliqued

I didn't hit a home run with this World Series, but came pretty close. Should one start by appliqueing the diamonds or the melons? I went with the diamonds. My thinking was if you had them positioned perfectly, then the melons would just drop into place. The melons turned out to be a little too big and I had to do some fudging.

F-10

2010-05-03T01:00:00.005-04:00

Difficulty of block: moderate
Number of pieces: 21
Method used: hand piecing

Monday already and I am just posting last weeks block! I finished piecing Potholder on Saturday, but didn't get a chance to post until now. To make the block look more like the original, I eliminated four pieces, but then I went and added four extra pieces so that I could hand piece the triangles instead of appliqueing them. In the end, I like what I see!

D-12

2010-04-25T08:15:00.001-04:00

Difficulty of block: moderate
Number of pieces: 19
Method used: hand piecing

I think Crossed Swords has become one of my top ten favourites. Originally the swords may have been appliqued. It's hard to tell for sure. I decided to try and piece it all. My concern was the four squares in the corners and stitching around the sharp curve. It was a little tricky and not as sharp a corner as it should be, but I can live with it.

C-8

2010-04-18T10:03:00.001-04:00

Difficulty of block: easy
Number of pieces: 21
Method used: hand piecing

I dipped into some Butter Churn and Cheddar to make Hani's Crown. If you look closely, you can see the jewels.

C-12

2010-04-11T10:43:00.001-04:00

Difficulty of block: easy
Number of pieces: 49
Method used: hand piecing

Stitching together Family Reunion was like piecing a miniature quilt. All the different fabrics used in the nine patch blocks came from one piece of fabric, a piece of fabric made to look like patchwork.

M-1

2010-04-03T11:10:00.002-04:00

Difficulty of block: easy
Number of pieces: 29
Method used: hand piecing

I really like this block and it does remind me of Dogwood Days. After I had traced the pattern onto freezer paper and was about to cut out the pieces I noticed an Oops! There seems to be many an Oops! in this Dear Jane book. The four triangles had to be made larger so they extended to the edges of the squares.

H-5

2010-03-28T08:50:00.001-04:00

Difficulty of block: moderate
Number of pieces: 22
Method used: hand piecing

This week's block is called Michael's Motorcycle and it's a pretty cool one. I must have been tired after a long day in the garden, for it took me all evening to piece this block. I had a hard time staying on my seam line and spent just as much time backing out stitches as I did putting them in. But, in the end, it looks pretty good.

K-13

2010-03-21T11:56:00.001-04:00

Difficulty of block: moderate
Number of pieces: 25
Method used: hand piecing

I have made 74 of the 169 center blocks and still find it amazing how each one is so different from the next. Brandon's Star is one of my favourite star blocks so far. I love the nine-patch in the middle. As I prepped this block, I did eliminate four pieces, in order to make it look like the original.

D-4

2010-03-13T13:44:00.001-05:00

Difficulty of block: easy
Number of pieces: 17
Method used: hand piecing, hand applique

It is a rainy, dark, depressing day today, but Crystal Star has lifted my spirits. Isn't she a pretty little thing? I followed Brenda's pattern, but if you look closely at the original block, the melons go all the way to the corners. Before appliqueing the melons on, I pressed the corner seams open, instead of to one side. This reducing bulk, so they lay flat.

C-9

2010-03-06T23:15:00.003-05:00

Difficulty of block: easy
Number of pieces: 8
Method used: hand piecing, hand applique

The original background for this block (Jane's Tears) was made from four triangles and not from one piece of fabric, as shown in the book. It was easy to do and it also make it easier for placing the tears.

L-8

2010-02-28T00:00:00.001-05:00

Difficulty of block: easy
Number of pieces: 15
Method used: hand piecing

I selected Kite Box as my block of the week, because I thought it would be a good one to fussy cut. And, it was!