Just starting out...

[Jules M.]

Gosh..I almost feel like I did the day I decided to quit smoking over three years ago! It's like, saying it, puts responsibility on me to actually do it! So here goes, after owning the book and the software from EQ for Dear Jane for many many years, I am finally going to start printing out the templates and actually start making blocks for Dear Jane.

I am planning on using my own hand dyed fabrics, so it will be very colorful, and eclectic I'm sure. I'd love to buy one of the repro looking kits, but just can't justify the money (or find the money! hehe)

I'm very nervous about this, as I have never hand pieced before, but I plan to hand piece this. We'll see if I can stick to that, or if I find myself at a machine attempting to find a way to machine stitch curves, etc.

So here goes! Glad there is a place to come to if I need it!

[Jules M.]

Good for you I am so jealous of those who can do dear Janes. I think they are so pretty but like you just don't have the nerve or the patience. I get so angry when I can't do stems right that the thought of doing a dear jane or a baltimore quilt makes me run. I will keep my fingers crossed for you.
Rachel

Except when I am sewing of course that would be too difficult :lol:

[Jules M.]

OK! I must admit it - I'm obsessed and must start my own DJ! A month ago at a retreat I saw a woman's quilt that she'd made using the BOM kits like you-all and she was piecing the rows together. I haven't been able to stop thinking about it.

I've been reading the sections here and I think I'll start by buying a bolt of my favorite Kona beige with my handy dandy 50% coupon at JoAnn's. I'm going to check the library for the book while I wait for it to come in the mail.

I don't have any hand work going right now and miss it alot! I do like to hand quilt (and have 2 quilts that need my attention) but in the summer I don't want to sit with a quilt on my lap. The idea of sitting on deck by the pool or on the front porch while hand piecing and appliqueing these lovely little blocks is very appealling and I can't wait!!

I have quite a collection of browns and will purchase the other colors at the big quilt show I'll be attending this weekend. It will be fun going from vendor to vendor picking up what I need. I searched the TQS gallery under "Dear Jane" and 5 lovely quilts came up. I hope I can do as lovely a job as the rest of you.

Nancy in sunny western NY

[Jules M.]

Nancy

I am doing a "Dear Jane" all by hand, my way.
I have a white on white for the background, and a geometric multi-color print for the rest. I have the first row done. (my way, also includes, working on it if I do not have any other hand work that I want to do. So I will always have something to do, great for take along projects. ) I have to get a few more blocks ready, as I only have 1 prepared now.

Margarita in Auburn, CA

[Jules M.]

My book finally arrived, but I didn't have the heart to cut it up, so I've started a binder with plastic sleeves and am copying the pages as I work on them. I'm not going in order, but picking out the easiest ones first and progressing through. I found the Dear Jane official website has hints on several blocks, so I'll use those.

I found lots of fabrics in my stash that work and bought several new fat quarters. I didn't want to start another huge stash of a new sort of fabrics (Civil War) but since I had some already without really knowing it.........

On the first day I pieced 3 of the easier ones on the machine and then did 2 hand applique in the evening during TV. I found a whole bolt of Kona Premium Muslin at JoAnn's and had a 50% coupon. It's lovely stuff, softer and smoother than the regular Kona, but much better than the cheaper muslins. This is fun so far! I'm even going to do some of the piecing on my treadle!

At the quilt show I went to on Sat. there was a Dear Jane done in batiks and 2 small wall hangings with only 9-12 blocks, one was just blues and the other was traditional. None of them, however, included the original border blocks. Still, they were inspiring!

What amazing little blocks these are. I just have to immagine Jane figuring them out and using her little bits of fabric. Awesome!

Nancy in sunny western NY

[Jules M.]

erased

[Eileen K.]

My book finally arrived, but I didn't have the heart to cut it up, so I've started a binder with plastic sleeves and am copying the pages as I work on them. I'm not going in order, but picking out the easiest ones first and progressing through. I found the Dear Jane official website has hints on several blocks, so I'll use those.

I found lots of fabrics in my stash that work and bought several new fat quarters. I didn't want to start another huge stash of a new sort of fabrics (Civil War) but since I had some already without really knowing it.........

On the first day I pieced 3 of the easier ones on the machine and then did 2 hand applique in the evening during TV. I found a whole bolt of Kona Premium Muslin at JoAnn's and had a 50% coupon. It's lovely stuff, softer and smoother than the regular Kona, but much better than the cheaper muslins. This is fun so far! I'm even going to do some of the piecing on my treadle!

At the quilt show I went to on Sat. there was a Dear Jane done in batiks and 2 small wall hangings with only 9-12 blocks, one was just blues and the other was traditional. None of them, however, included the original border blocks. Still, they were inspiring!

What amazing little blocks these are. I just have to immagine Jane figuring them out and using her little bits of fabric. Awesome!

Nancy in sunny western NY

Nancy,
Do you want to join JoJo and me in this endeavor? We're both waiting for our books.
eileenkny

[Eileen K.]

Everyone that I've met who's doing a "Baby Jane" quilt seems to spend years on it! I wouldn't worry about keeping up with eachother, just enjoy your personal journey. After all, aren't there something like 240 blocks in all!!

I think I did about 20 and haven't worked on it now in at least a month. I have a retreat in 3 weeks, so I'll do some blocks then.

Definitely start with the simpler ones, don't just try and do them in order. Consider the binder idea. It's a great way to stay organized.

Nancy in NY. I don't know why my previous ans. posted twice. Wierd!

[Eileen K.]

I'm doing this strictly because this quilt has spoken to me many times. It's reminiscent of a simpler life and I'm craving that right now.
If it takes 5 years or if I get to a certain point and decide not to go any further, time will tell. I am going to ENJOY making each and every block I piece.
eileenkny

[Jo H.]

It's reminiscent of a simpler life and I'm craving that right now.
eileenkny

I totally agree with your comment above and am going through the very same feelings. It is going to be a wonderful adventure regardless of how long it takes. I still want to have a goal of finishing though even if I never get all 200 plus blocks done.

JoJo

[Eileen K.]

Well, the book is here!!! I'm going to look it over a few times before I make any decisions on color, etc.
eileenkny

[Jo H.]

Well, the book is here!!! I'm going to look it over a few times before I make any decisions on color, etc.
eileenkny

I think the wagon wheel broke and my items are stuck somewhere between Wisconsin and Oregon. :wink:

JoJo

[Jo H.]

For you two who are just starting: I saw 3 Baby Jane quilts at a show in May and none of them had the border triangles. I plan on working my way through as many of the squares as I feel like (I give myself permission to make a smaller quilt if I want to) and won't make any of the triangle blocks until last. That way, if I get to the point of really wanting to finish and get on to the quilting, I can make it with a different border.

I made 5 more blocks this week, so far and would really recommend using a binder like I am. If you're able to make copies on your computer printer, it's pretty simple.

Also, be sure and check out the official Dear Jane website for directions and tips on making the blocks. Also, the quilt is there on display for inspiration. Make sure you look at the red,white and blue version too. Awesome!!

Enjoy the journey and don't hurry! nancy in sunny western NY

[Sharon E.]

Ok girls -- here is a few tips from little old me. I saw someone suggest taking the binding off your book -- I know it is brand new -- and punching 3-ring for a binder type book. You will like it MUCH better and the book will be easier to use, and when you do a block, tape a little piece of the fabric with that block. I also photocopied the blocks in the front, just black and white to cross out/color out/black out the blocks as I was completing them.

I will be cheering from the sidelines as I finish my DJ border - half finished with left side and other three sides finished, then the corners. I didn't do triangles along with blocks, now I wish I had, they are buggers.

Oh, just remembered one more thing. I made a paper template of the triangle block with 1/4 seam allowance and took it to a glass company and had them make a plexiglass template for me -- it is a little thinner than our rulers, but works just the same and perfect for me.

Hope this advise helps.

Sharon

[Eileen K.]

Sharon,
Thanks for the great ideas. I hope you and everybody that's done one of these quilts will be patient with my questions and very possibly my whining down the road :lol: .
eileenkny