So many people have asked to see my Dear Jane quilt, so of course I'm happy to oblige! This picture was taken a few years ago in my dining room, it's always hanging on the wall in there. I actually have to move the furniture out to get a good shot.I'm making another one (I know, I've lost my mind), this time in 30's prints, I won't tackle the triangles this time, I'm going to set the blocks on point with setting squares inbetween. I am also changing the way I'm making some of the blocks. When I first took this project on, I think it must have been 1998, although I had a few years of quilting under my belt, I really was not very experienced at all, and I had no idea that this was really an advanced project. Maybe if I had more experience I would never have taken it on?
I actually purchased the book while on quilt camp, and I didn't realise that it was an actual quilt, I really just thought it was a book with a series of little blocks. I made a few of them up, and became hooked on them, and ended up over a period of about 2.5 years making the quilt. If a block was the least bit tricky, I hand pieced it. I just didn't know any other way of working with y seams etc. Now, obviously I wouldn't have that fear of the more difficult blocks. My friend Linda from the US, she and I exchanged a number of blocks. That was super fun. She also sent me many of the fabrics that are featured in the quilt. I was lucky enough to see her DJ for the first time when I visited with her in April/May. Last time I was there, I'm not sure that either of us had finished our quilts.
My favourite block is M3 - Fireweed Flower. I made that one for myself and for Linda. I really loved making it, and it's so pretty. My least favourite is L10 - Nan's Naiad. It's just a really hard one to put together. I remember I was so bent over my sewing machine that I got my hair a little tangled in the thread take up lever.
I have pictures of all the individual blocks, so if anyone is interested, at a later date I can post pictures of some of the blocks by themselves. It's fun looking at all the different fabrics and stuff. I often go into the dining room just to pet the quilt. There are a lot of great memories there :-)
14 comments:
Yes, please show your most and least favorite blocks!
Jeanne :)
I would love to see pictures of your favorite blocks. I will never make a DJ of my own because of the time commitment, but I really appreciate the amount of work the goes into these quilts. You did an excellent job of your DJ.
Yes, we'd love to see your favorite and least favorite blocks. And maybe some of your feedsack ones? Your quilt is just wonderful, congratulations on finishing that!
What an heirloom... You have every right to be proud. I'd love to see some of your indivual blocks, tell us is they are hand stitched. 2 1/2 years ...I admire that you didn't give up. Great friend to trade thoughts on the project with..How did you guys meet? Do you stay in touch?
Melanie
Thanks for sharing :-)
I could not say which block was worst or best. Nan's Naiad is not that bad by hand, even if it is named Nasty Nan. I love Papa's Star, and have relationships to most blocks in the quilt. I did most of my blocks by machine. The applique is by hand. I have learned a lot since then. I always did the easiest blocks first, one by one, and there will always be an "easiest" ;-)
I am still enjoying making DJ blocks and I swap one on one with a friend in Canada.
its exquisite. Not something I could ever follow through on, so I'll just admire yours :-)
You must have enjoyed the process or why make another one "your" way. I had to look in my DJ software to see which blocks you were referring to. ACK!! on that "Nasty Nan" as Hanne called it. I may try it one of these days--I drew it all up in EQ from the book before I bought the software just as a drawing challenge.
I've never had the desire to take on a DJ project but I love seeing everyone else's DJ's. I think you must be the only person I've read about making a 2nd one!
beautiful quilt and quite an accomplishment,especially to a fairly new quilter! I'm STILL working on mine. I'm doing everything by hand, but have been sidetracked of late. I really need to get back into it and finish it. I've got about 85 blocks done. I'm doing mine in blue/yellow. and you are doing a second one? Wow--good for you!
It looks just like the original - I thought you were showing us what Jane's looked like! This is great. I admire your perserverance, and you are right, sometimes it is better not to know you are working on an advanced pattern. I too do the easiest ones first, and am working my way up the scale.
How did you quilt yours?
Excellent job - beautiful quilt. You should be very proud. Yes, I would love to see close-up pictures of some of the individual squares.
Nice work!
I'd like to see a closer picture of your favorite block. :)
Did any of the little blocks make you think about doing a large quilt with nothing but that block?
How absolutely gorgeous - you did a magnificent job. You learned as you went along and since you were excited about the project, you kept on plugging away. Definitely wasn't too hard for you!
Oh Tazzie, your DJ is drop dead gorgeous! I"ve always admired that quilt and people who have made them, but I just can't get myself to do it! I made a 9-block one and that suited me just fine! Your certainly is an accomplishment.
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