D-4

I'm drowning in little Jane blocks! It feels like there will soon be a quilt or two though, which is a good feeling.

Print or trace the block diagram onto foundation paper. Extend the diagonal lines through the leaf shapes as in the photo, cut out, and number the sections.

Foundation piece the numbered sections and trim their seam allowances to 1/4".
Out of main block fabric, cut a square 3" x 3".

Sew a pieced section to the top and bottom of the main fabric square. Press the seam allowances toward the pieced sections.

Sew the other two pieced sections to the remaining sides of the square but DO NOT sew into the seam allowances, i.e. start and stop the seams about 1/4" from the edge of the section. See detailed photo below.


Sew the remaining (diagonal) seams by placing the sections right sides together, sewing from the outside edge, and stopping the seam at the seam line (i.e. the corner of the square).

Cut the leaf shapes out of main block fabric and applique into place.

What have you been up to?

In the last 3 days I've made 13 little blocks!

7 of them were ones that I, for some or other reason, had made in the wrong colors so I had to remake them.

The other 6 were Rainbow Jane blocks.

I have 6 more to go and I'm hoping to have them all done by the end of the weekend because I want to start sewing these babies together.

I'm amazed at how many blocks I can now pump out in a day.
At the start of this journey it would sometimes take me an entire day to make one block.
Of course, having instructions helps. LOL!

Rainbow Jane signups for the October session are open and the signup fee is marked down to only $24.
I've also added an option to have the instructions emailed to you in PDF format, saving you $5 a month.
Just thought you may want to know...

LS-2

Triangle time!

Print or trace the block diagram onto foundation paper, number, and cut out as in the photo.

Foundation piece all the numbered sections.
If you're not using freezer paper for foundation piecing, trace the top triangle section of the block onto the dull side of freezer paper and cut out. Cut out the center diamond.
Cut a 3" x 4" section out of background fabric and iron the freezer paper shape to the right side. Cut out the center diamond leaving a small seam allowance. Clip into the seam allowance on all four corners of the diamond.

Cut a section at least 1/2" larger on all sides than the center diamond in the top section of the block out of main block fabric. Lay this right side up on the table. Place the fabric with the freezer paper right side up on top of this and baste through all layers.

Reverse applique the diamond.

Trim the top section to size, using the freezer paper as a guide. (Trim 1/4" from the freezer paper on all sides.) Also trim away the excess main block fabric from the back.
Sew the two top sections of the main block section together.

Sew the triangular sections to the bottom.

Sew the top triangle to the top and the bottom section to the bottom of the block.

I-5

This one was a bit of a head scratcher but in the end was really simple.
Just applique.

Print or trace the block diagram onto freezer paper and cut out the outside "frame".
I cut out the melons too since I use freezer paper for applique.

Cut a 6"x6" piece of your main block fabric and iron the freezer paper down on the right side of it.

Using the freezer paper as a guide, applique the four melons onto the main fabric square.
PLEASE NOTE! The melons are not symmetrical. Make sure you attach them the right way round. The less rounded side goes toward the center of the block.
I appliqued the sharp ends of each melon first and then "filled in" the rest.

Carefully remove the freezer paper frame or print/trace another one.
Cut a 6"x6" piece of background fabric and iron the freezer paper frame onto the right side of the fabric.
Cut out along the inner edges of the frame, leaving a seam allowance. Clip into the seam allowance almost to the freezer paper edge every 1/4" or so.

Place the main fabric square right side up on the table. Place the background fabric "frame" right side up on top of it. Baste through all layers to keep them from moving. Don't baste too close to the freezer paper edge because you'll want to turn under the seam allowance.

Turning under the seam allowance, reverse applique the frame to the block.
Trim the block to 5"x5". If you leave the freezer paper on, you can trim 1/4" beyond the freezer paper edge on all sides and your applique will be nice and centered.

D-1

It's still really, really hot!

Print or trace the block diagram onto foundation paper, number, and cut out as in the photo.

Foundation piece all the numbered sections and trim their seam allowances to 1/4".
Out of main block fabric, cut 2 rectangles 1" x 4".
Out of background fabric, cut 1 rectangle 3/4" x 4".

Sew the small pieced sections together in pairs.(See photo)

Sew the resulting sections to either side of the background fabric rectangle.

Sew the main fabric rectangles to the top and bottom of this section.

Attach the two pieced side sections.

Rainbow Jane

I thought you may want to know that sign-ups for the new session of Rainbow Jane are now open.
This session starts in October and right now the sign-up fee is only $24 (regularly $30).

If you (or a friend) like bright quilts, this is the one.
Because putting the kits together is so labor intensive, I have to limit the number of sign-ups, so if you're thinking about it, don't wait too long.

(We're off for a little break from our stay-cation, so there won't be a block on Monday, but I'll be back for Thursday's block.)

Quilts Galore!

I just discovered a new group on Flickr with photos and lots of links to completed "That Quilt"s. It's AMAZING! I did not realize that there were that many out there.
This one is by Jean, who is a member of our Flickr group and has been sharing her individual blocks with us.



There are many, many others over there that I don't have permission to share, so do go have a peep.
These Japanese Janiacs have done a splendid job!

I-1

I almost forgot about today's block. It's been a little hectic. Little Gems over on my other blog is a very popular girl.

Today we have a regular pieced block.

Out of main block fabric cut:
2 squares 2.75" x 2.75"
2 strips 1.25" x 2.5"
1 strip 1.25" x 5"

Out of background fabric cut:
1 strip 1.25" x 2.5"
2 strips 1.25" x 5"


Sew the strips together in threes as in the photo below.

Cut the long section into four 1.25" sections and the short section into two 1.25" sections.

Referring to the block diagram, arrange the small sections in the positions they will be sewn in.

Sew them together together to form two nine-patches.

Complete the block by sewing the nine-patches and solid squares together as in the block diagram.

E-2

I can feel us moving closer to the end of the Dear Jane journey because I'm now choosing blocks to try and "fill in the gaps" and not just random blocks.
Don't sit back on your laurels though - we're far from done.

A simple little applique block.

Out of main block fabric, cut two 2" x 4" rectangles.
Out of background fabric, cut two 1" x 2" rectangles and one 5" square.

Cut one of the 2" x 4" rectangles in half lengthwise.
Sew the 1" x 2" background fabric rectangles to the other 2" x 4" main fabric rectangle as in the photo.

Cut the pieced section in half lengthwise, resulting in two 1" x 5" sections.
Mark the positions of the leaf shapes on the 5" x 5" square.

Applique the two leaf shapes into position and trim the square to 4" x 4", making sure that you keep the appliqued shapes centered.

Sew the 1" x 4" rectangles to opposing sides of the center square.

Sew the pieced rectangles to the top and bottom of the block.