Dear Jane Start-up Jan 2008

[Jules M.]

I started on block 1-A, it is really easy. I better remember those words. I was thinking that I would make a Christmas fabric block with a muslin back ground along with the Dear Jane and then I could have a couple Christmas quilts along with my Dear Jane. I have LOTS of Thimbleberries Red and Green fabrics.

I am not sure if I want to use the printed beige fabrics. I am really leaning toward using a fine grade of muslin. I am curious what everyone else is going to do about the background.

[Jules M.]

I wondered if they are using the print background b/c they don't have a good muslin. Where do you get fine grade?

I need to get my software going and print some patterns off.

Do you pp? Do you use freezer paper as she suggests?

Joyce

[Jules M.]

While I was making my DJ, I saw many backgrounds used.....Kona cotton was the first choice then. With muslin, most of it seemed thinner than the cottons being put with it, so that's why I didn't use it..but there may be a really good grade that would work well. I was afraid I would get bored with a solid, so I used a Marsha McClosky shirting that was off white with darker beige sets of tiny pindots....from a distance it read solid but up close was not.

Dana in Olive Branch, MS

[Jules M.]

So I finally opened the DJ software so I can see about some blocks.

I want to change the fdn sections for TR1 and after I change the groups/sections and go to renumber, it is back to the original.

I have done fdn piecing blocks on Quilt Pro and this was just like that but not staying!

Any suggestions?

Joyce

[Jules M.]

I looks like you are getting your kits for DJ block of the month. So I guess I better get mine out again. See what I can do. I am using only 2 fabrics, a background and one for the rest. It is a very colorfull design. I think that it will look great. I have 7 blocks done, and one started, plus a triangle started.

Margarita in Auburn, CA

[Judy M.]

I'm using an off-white solid for my background. I've got 9 blocks made so far, but I started them over a year ago. I just have too many projects going at once. I'm trying to make most of the blocks in the same color as Jane originally did. I don't like to do paper piecing, so my blocks are all hand-pieced and hand-appliqued. Maybe everyone doing the block of the month will help me get back on track with my blocks!

[Judith T.]

I have been working on my Dear Jane blocks for over 2 years now. I started out in a club that met once a month. I did 24 blocks , hand piecing and hand appliqueing, using a black background like the one pictured in the book. I decided I didn't like that so made a table runner and started all over. This time I am continuing doing it all by hand and using reverse applique as much as will allow and using black and white fabric with a touch of red now and then on a white on white background. I am working on row 3 now. Our club has folded since the store closed but I do sew once a week with the girls and decided to work on my DJ blocks at least twice a month if I ever expect to get it done in my lifetime. :roll: It was also suggested to me to do a triangle every so many blocks so they won't hit you all at once as they are harder. I only have 3 done. :cry: I have seen the other members of my previous club using beige or cream backgrounds and different values of blues in one, purples in another, and greens in the third. Have fun doing them.

[Judith T.]

I wondered if they are using the print background b/c they don't have a good muslin. Where do you get fine grade?

I need to get my software going and print some patterns off.

Do you pp? Do you use freezer paper as she suggests?

Joyce

I have a large piece of muslin, I am not sure where I got it. But it probably enough to make the entire quilt. It is extra wide so it was probable meant for a backing. It is a good quality.

I will paper piece on blocks that seem to need paper piecing. The first one I am using the cutting directions given with the BOM.

[Jules M.]

I'm going to ask several at the quilt shop groups tomorrow if they have ever used freezer paper for pp. I totally understand and like the benefit she said about the tiny pieces sticking to the paper. Just curious about getting it all off later.

I may email the BOM lady, too. Nice to have that way to contact her.

I'm pleased w/ the directions that accompany the fabrics. Helps buffer the cost. :wink:

Joyce

[Jules M.]

I would give it a try with freezer paper. If you give it a good pull from corner to corner it should pull off easy and be quite handy to have to iron things down. I just have never even thought about using it for pp.

[Jules M.]

Hi,
I am still having trouble getting on the web site, think it is my Norton settings. But I found a way around so I hope to be back more often. I don't have my fabrics yet, but don't think today's mail has been brought up from the mail box yet. Mail box is way down the driveway.
Freezer Paper, I love it for paper piecing.
It is great when sewing through the paper; for holding on to the fabrics (the starting patch and the rest as they are sewn) and it does come away from the seams easily.
It is also really great if not sewing throught the freezer paper. I will try to explain. Get your thinking cap on!
Make all patchs slightly larger than needed. Iron the first patch into place, wrong side (WS) to shinny side of freeper paper (FP). Pin next patch into place right side (RS) together with first patch. ***Fold FP on seam line to be sewn; be very careful to fold very, very exactly on the sewing line. Do not open out the FP. Sew a straight seam right next to the FP fold through the two fabrics only (don't sew any FP in the seam). Trim the fabric seam to 1/4". Open the FP and then open the patch of fabric just sewn and iron it to the FP (Iron from dull side of the FP, with block fabric toward ironing surface). Now place and pin the next patch over the last patch RS together. *** repeat between the '***'s until all patches have been sewn.
Trim the block to size plus seam allowance. If the seams have bias edges give them a shot of Starch. Pull the freezer paper away from block. Because you have not sewn through the freezer paper it can now be used again if making many of the same blocks or block sections.
Is this clear or as clear as mud?

[Jules M.]

Hi again,
I love Freezer Paper for Templates.
If you are only making a block or two you can use this trick...
Cut 3 pieces of freezer paper. Iron all three from the dull side with the shinny side down on your ironing surface. This will shrink them, you did know it shrinks didn't you? Yes, it shrinks slightly along the length of the roll. Ok, check it out: cut 2 squares the same size, iron one and not the other... see there is a slight differance. You should always shrink before tracing or printing any patterns on the FP. Printing? Yes with your computer on a ink jet (not a lazer jet) printer or any printer that does not use heat.
Well back to templates: Now that you have shrunk these three squres, (if you need to trace a pattern shape, do it now on only one piece), then place two of squares shinny side facing each other and iron them together, then iron the one remaining shinny side to a dull side. Oops, be sure to leave your drawing showing. Nice and thick. But not too thick to cut with paper scissors. I use these for making circles when doing applique, for tracing applique pattern if I have a few pieces the same, (leaves, flowers) and for the mellons on my practice DJ blocks to name a few place to use these. This will work great for the DJ blocks as none of them have too many pieces to trace.
When I get Freezer Paper I get several rolls. This past year I have been doing a lot of applique and Freezer Paper Piecing.
Oh, yes, my fabric came to day so I am off to make a block.
See you all tomorrow.

[Jules M.]

Yippee Fluffball! I'm glad you got on the site and checked in. Great tips and experience w/ freezer paper.

Who'd have thunk it would shrink?

I'll be cutting freezer paper tomorrow and shrinking it before I print if I get a chance. First a big trip to a quilt shop for 3 monthly groups.

Thank you!!

Joyce

[Jules M.]

You know, I used freezer paper once to make templates for a quilt. I only used one peice though and ironed onto the fabric, and when I peiced the blocks they did not work out right. I thought something was wrong with my seams or something. Now I know what happened!!! As we say around here I never would have thunk it :lol: Thanks for the tip and I will keep that in mind next time.

[Jules M.]

I have been a DJ 'lurker' for quite a while, waiting for my first BOM to arrive. Now that it has I am FREAKED out!! Because I have a Mac I will be tracing the blocks from the book. The fabrics from Stitchin Heaven are lovely, but I am going to make some trial blocks from my stash first.

Like my friend Sister Elsie used to say "If there were 2 doors, one marked "Heaven" and the other marked "Seminar on Heaven" we would go to the seminar. The trial blocks can be made into a baby quilt I need to have ready by the end of May.

Thank goodness there is a lot of info on the web and many pages of great tips for each block and triangle. I will need a lot of help I am in over my head. Sally in Torrance