Dear Jane... help

Personally I love my dear jane blocks. I pick them up, put them down, don't do them for a bit and start again. The software in my opinion is a must. You can print off patterns, and on the notecards for each block it suggests the best or easiest way to do the block ie: paperpiece in 3 pieces.

Colours - well I have seen them in everything. I have seen blues and whites, bright colours, civil war, 30's, batiks (although personally would not want to applique some of the batiks so judge that carefully - they are small applique pieces and some batiks are kind of crunchy with the needle and fray easily but have seen some lovely quilts with this. Some have used novelty but keep in mind some of these pieces are 1/2" long. Having said that you can use the novelty as the background.

The Dear Jane group online has a block of the week that you can do or not and a tow or triangle of the week. You write in and say which you have done and they post who did it each week. Keeps some motivated.

The other thing is you don't have to do all of it! you can make the blocks into a vest, a table runner, put it on point and use some of the blocks, alternate a block with it and use only some, skip the triangles - the sky's the limit.

I don't think you are nuts. The Dear Jane groups have a great time and yes you are forcing yourself out of the house. I have learnt so many skills doing these blocks and from all these people. My applique is so great now - reverse, needle turn, backbasting - I have practiced all these skills. Brag, brag, brag but who else but quilters would understand the whole point in doing 4 1/2" squares.

And if you don't like 4 1/2" squares the software lets you do it in any size you want - 12" or 6" or even 2" if you were crazy! You could fuse it if that was your thing.

Have a great time Kate. This is your own - anything goes!

Kelly

Don't forget to see all the different color combos here !

this is a NYC quilt guild with a DJ variation quilt picture:

Mary...If you get the CD there are tips and all kinds of information on it .

For one thing you can print out the blocks the size you want ..just in case you decide that 4.5 " is too small a square. Also, check out

I chuckle when I read that I have plenty of experience..........I feel like a beginner and compared to many, 4-5 years is just beginning.

thanks for the tips.

Mary, when we moved to the Swamp, we were both still working and had to unpack essentials only and keep running. Dealing with emergencies like the well pump not working and the doors falling off kept us challenged (to say the least) for months. Finally, FINALLY, I got to hang our paintings, pictures and display our few treasures. We should have done that first. Marking this house as our home felt so good. Dogs know that. Polly

"maryd" I may give it a try after I find the book. It's someplace in an 8x20

One of the first "markings" will be to hang my design wall batting. When we lived in and managed the hotel, we never did hang pictures. :(

oops -- looks like it is

On Thu, 13 Nov 2008 13:33:07 -0600, Kate G. wrote (in article ):

Why can't you use brights for a Dear Jane quilt? It's a big sampler quilt and samplers look good in all fabrics!

Go with what makes your heart sing!

Maureen

Thanks everyone for the wonderful ideas... and links. Once I decide upon fabrics... and get a few blocks done... I'll be sure to post them!

Hi Kate,

I've just decided to take on a Dear Jane too! The civil war fabric is unknown to me - so I decided to go with that - it's fun to work with different fabrics. I found a "vintage white" by R. Kaufman that I like for a background. It's not blinding white but it's not cream either...

I think any color scheme you choose will work...looking at the all the photos I love the reproductions, the batiks on black, the single color...I guess I like them all ;-) Jinny Beyer fabrics on black sounds really pretty!

There are a couple of mail groups (a DJ and DJ Retreat yahoo mailing group) - they are really informative and a friendly groups. You learn lots of tips on how others are doing the individual blocks, etc.

Here's to starting a fun adventure!!

Steph

Well done Cindy! I've just finished my 'millions' of 1.5" nine-patches. . In message , teleflora writes

Oooh - a single colour eh? I've never seen that. When I've finished my big one, perhaps I'll do a mini one, in a single colour (with a few of the easier blocks only >gHi Kate,

WOW Cindy and Patti, BRAVO!! Do you have any pictures anywhere?

Elly in Scotland

I'm still sewing completed strips together, Elly!! . In message , Elly D writes

I'll take one and put it up on myWebshots, Elly.

I'll post when.

Cindy