Another Dear Jane Post

I probably should have named my blog "Mimi Makes a Dear Jane". Yes, it's another Dear Jane post. Yesterday I tackled block A9. It has 45 pieces and is 4 1/2 inches square. It took me 2 hours! I'm really happy with the result. Woot!

Discover Dear Jane

Most, if not all, quilters have heard of the legendary Dear Jane Quilt. Jane A. Stickle, who was born on April 8, 1817 in Vermont, is the creator. Jane made the quilt during the Civil War, completing it in 1863. It is a sampler quilt, comprised of 169 square 5” blocks, each one different. There are also 4 pieced corner triangles, 52 pieced border triangles, and a unique scalloped border. Altogether, there are an astounding total of 5,602 pieces in this quilt! The Jane Stickle Quilt is a well known and much loved masterpiece. 

In 1996, Brenda Papadakis published a book called Dear Jane: The Two Hundred Twenty-Five Patterns from the 1863 Jane A. Stickle Quilt. Thanks to Brenda and her informative book, quilters around the world have been able to recreate their own unique versions of the beloved Jane Stickle quilt.

The original Jane Stickle Quilt can be found in the Bennington Museum in Vermont, and people from all around the world travel to visit it. It is on display for a limited amount of time every year in order to preserve the quality of the quilt and protect it from sun damage. 

More Dear Jane Progress...5 Blocks Done!

I finished 2 more blocks today....but not without more drama. I was paper piecing block A4, and it was coming along beautifully. Then as I was trimming a major piece, I accidentally cut on the sewing line instead of the cutting line. I wanted to scream, but I just put everything down and walked away. After a couple of hours I came back and tried again.

Dear Jane Block A3

I didn't have too much trouble with this one. My applique isn't the greatest, but I'm happy with the results. This quilt will definitely be a learning experience and will not be perfect by any means.

Dear Jane Block A2

Two blocks down, only 223 to go! Thirty six tiny pieces...thankfully, I only had to make this block once.

Dear Jane Block A1, I despise you!

After yesterday's failed attempt with block A1, I gave it another try...and messed up again!!! On my third attempt, I was finally successful. While I was sewing...and sewing...and sewing, I was thinking about names for my quilt. This is what I came up with:

Dear Jane, Were You Insane?
Dear Jane, What Were You Thinking?
Dear Jane, You Drove Me Insane!

Dear Jane, were you insane?

I made my first DJ block today. It took me 2 hours and was a complete disaster. I will be re-doing it tomorrow using a different technique. I used a foundation pattern provided by Susan R. Gatewood on her website. I'm going to try drawing my own pattern using Brenda Papadakis' book.

Yikes!!!

Using this foundation pattern I ended up with a huge knot in the center of the block.

Dear Jane Templates

I ordered the Dear Jane templates on Amazon today. My first DJ BOM package is being shipped tomorrow. I'm so excited!

Dear Jane...I'm taking the plunge!

Today I signed up for a Dear Jane Block-of-the-Month Club through Stitchin' Heaven. The program is $25 per month. Each month they send you the fabric and patterns for 10 blocks. It's a 24 month program, so if I keep up with it, I will have my Dear Jane top pieced in 2 years time. I have always wanted to make a DJ quilt. It's on my bucket list. I'm not getting any younger and I figure it's now or never, so I'm going for it! You can learn more about the Dear Jane Quilt here.

My Quilt Bucket List

I've decided that my legacy will be the quilts I leave behind. I plan to make a bed quilt for each of my four children. I would like to make quilts for each grandchild too. I only have one right now, so that will be a piece of cake. In addition, there are several quilts that I absolutely love and want to make.

Dear Jane 

This quilt is unbelievable! It would be a serious lifetime achievement to complete a Dear Jane. 

Double Wedding Ring

This quilt pattern always reminds me of my Grandmother Pearce. She was a wonderful quilter and used feedsacks to make some of her quilts. It will be challenging, but I would love to make one. 

Sister's Choice

I would definitely make this a scrappy quilt. It looks so warm and inviting. I bet one of my sons would like this.

Grandmother's Flower Garden

I love 1930s repro quilts. The feedsack fabrics are so cute! The hexagons will definitely be a challenge for me. 

Baltimore Halloween

My youngest daughter was born on Halloween, so this would be a gift for her. 

Baltimore Autumn

My favorite season! I just love the colors and smells of autumn.