C-7 Megan's Mountain Laurel
Tuesday, June 14, 2016
C-7 Megan's Mountain Laurel
Not perfect, but good enough, I think.
Labels:
#thatquiltjanealong,
30's Jane,
c-7,
dear jane quilt
Monday, June 13, 2016
Friday, June 10, 2016
A-8 Florence Nightingale
I loved making this one. It would be great as a signature block.
A-8 Florence Nightingale
Labels:
#thatquiltjanealong,
30's Jane,
A-8,
dear jane quilt
Thursday, June 9, 2016
B-6 Wild Goose Chase
Not sure how anyone could make this one without foundation piecing. Tiny sections!
B-6 Wild Goose Chase
Fabric: Tiny Flowers - Green from the Old New 30's collection by Lecien Fabrics
B-6 Wild Goose Chase
Fabric: Tiny Flowers - Green from the Old New 30's collection by Lecien Fabrics
Wednesday, June 8, 2016
B-7 World Series
B-7 World Series
Fabric: Scattered Leaves - Orange from Just One of Those Days by Darlene Zimmerman for Robert Kaufman
Fabric: Scattered Leaves - Orange from Just One of Those Days by Darlene Zimmerman for Robert Kaufman
Labels:
#thatquiltjanealong,
30's Jane,
B-7,
dear jane quilt
Tuesday, June 7, 2016
B-8 Water Lily
I decided to fussy cut the flowers and children.
B-8 Water Lily
Fabric: Children - Pink from the Toy Chest Conversationals collection by Sara Morgan for Washington Street Studio
B-8 Water Lily
Fabric: Children - Pink from the Toy Chest Conversationals collection by Sara Morgan for Washington Street Studio
Labels:
#thatquiltjanealong,
30's Jane,
B-8,
dear jane quilt
Monday, June 6, 2016
Friday, June 3, 2016
C-4 Tic Tac Toe
Still a tricky one.
C-4 Tic Tac Toe
Fabric: Box Flowers - Green from the Old New 30's Collection by Lecien Fabrics.
C-4 Tic Tac Toe
Fabric: Box Flowers - Green from the Old New 30's Collection by Lecien Fabrics.
Thursday, June 2, 2016
Wednesday, June 1, 2016
TR-5 Michigan Dunes
Wow! It's been a while!
I'm WAY behind on my blocks. So much for good intentions.
It's been a little cloudy and hard to take photos over here. Note to self: Buy a studio light.
I do have a couple to share though and will do so over the next couple of days.
First up, TR-5.
TR-5 Michigan Dunes
Fabric: Toy Chest Florals Blossom Bud - Purple
I'm WAY behind on my blocks. So much for good intentions.
It's been a little cloudy and hard to take photos over here. Note to self: Buy a studio light.
I do have a couple to share though and will do so over the next couple of days.
First up, TR-5.
TR-5 Michigan Dunes
Fabric: Toy Chest Florals Blossom Bud - Purple
Thursday, March 31, 2016
C-3 Rayelle's Fence
I contemplated changing this to a regularly pieced block (but differently from the original instructions), but I still think foundation piecing yields the most accurate results.
To make assembling the sections easier, I always try to have the seams alternate when numbering:
C-3 Rayelle's Fence
Fabric: Naptime Bunny - Lake Blue by Darlene Zimmerman for Robert Kaufman Fabrics
To make assembling the sections easier, I always try to have the seams alternate when numbering:
See?
Less bulk, especially if you press them open.C-3 Rayelle's Fence
Fabric: Naptime Bunny - Lake Blue by Darlene Zimmerman for Robert Kaufman Fabrics
Wednesday, March 30, 2016
B-5 Hot Cross Buns
My applique skills still need a little help. I did reverse applique in the original instructions and regular applique here. Not sure which is best.
B-5 Hot Cross Buns
B-5 Hot Cross Buns
Monday, March 28, 2016
B-4 Chris's Soccer Field
I love blocks that can be foundation pieced as a whole without have to attach sections to each other!
And the perfect points I get.
B-4 Chris's Soccer Field
Fabric: Bunny Tales Flower Dots - Camellia Pink by Darlene Zimmerman for Robert Kaufman.
And the perfect points I get.
B-4 Chris's Soccer Field
Fabric: Bunny Tales Flower Dots - Camellia Pink by Darlene Zimmerman for Robert Kaufman.
Saturday, March 26, 2016
B-3 Mirror Image
Looking back at the original blog post for this block, I realized that I had actually simplified the construction for the BOM instructions. Unfortunately I did not take photos as I made this block.
I made two four patches and then reverse appliqued one on top of the other. Afterwards, I trimmed away most of the excess fabric from the back of the block.
The back...
B-3 Mirror Image
Fabric: Fresh Air Two Toned Floral - Red by American Jane for Moda
I made two four patches and then reverse appliqued one on top of the other. Afterwards, I trimmed away most of the excess fabric from the back of the block.
The back...
B-3 Mirror Image
Fabric: Fresh Air Two Toned Floral - Red by American Jane for Moda
Labels:
#thatquiltjanealong,
30's Jane,
B-3,
dear jane quilt
Thursday, March 17, 2016
A-5 Cathie's Campfire
A-5 Cathie's Campfire
More starching success! Someone asked what starch I use. It's Mary Ellen's Best Press. I have a whole gallon of it!
Quilters have also been enquiring about the fabrics I'm using so I'll try to put links in each post.
Fabric: Summer Days Daisy Patch - Blue from Wilmington Prints
Wednesday, March 9, 2016
Saturday, March 5, 2016
TR-3 Checkerboard
I experimented with a couple of things making this block.
I read an article this week about the fact that starching actually shrinks fabric. I think especially if you don't pre-wash. Guilty!
It's probably common knowledge to most of you but somehow I never thought about this. I now realize that starching while making my blocks may be a leading reason I've been having trouble with my blocks sometimes being too small. There is also sometimes puckering when I starch. Maybe because different fabrics shrink at different rates.
Anyhow, this time I decided to starch the fabric before cutting. It really made a difference!
I think this may be the straightest, flattest block I've ever made, even though it doesn't look like it in the photo.
(And maybe I should stop using a white background in photos.)
Because I figured I had now "pre-shrunk" the fabric, I also felt comfortable spraying some more starch and pressing the seams open, which also helped it lay flat.
I had another epiphany this morning. To aid in stitching the sections together, I decided to mark the corners before removing the papers. It made lining them up a whole lot easier.
Wow! So much better! My work here is done!
I read an article this week about the fact that starching actually shrinks fabric. I think especially if you don't pre-wash. Guilty!
It's probably common knowledge to most of you but somehow I never thought about this. I now realize that starching while making my blocks may be a leading reason I've been having trouble with my blocks sometimes being too small. There is also sometimes puckering when I starch. Maybe because different fabrics shrink at different rates.
Anyhow, this time I decided to starch the fabric before cutting. It really made a difference!
I think this may be the straightest, flattest block I've ever made, even though it doesn't look like it in the photo.
(And maybe I should stop using a white background in photos.)
Because I figured I had now "pre-shrunk" the fabric, I also felt comfortable spraying some more starch and pressing the seams open, which also helped it lay flat.
I had another epiphany this morning. To aid in stitching the sections together, I decided to mark the corners before removing the papers. It made lining them up a whole lot easier.
Wow! So much better! My work here is done!
Thursday, March 3, 2016
TR-2 Australian Pines
This is the second last block for Month 1 of the BOM. So far, so good on keeping up. I hope you are too.
(The fabric is "Goldfish" from the Storybook Vacation collection.)
TR-2 Australian Pines
(The fabric is "Goldfish" from the Storybook Vacation collection.)
Tuesday, March 1, 2016
TR-1 Spanish Moss
Wow! I had forgotten how hard this one is. I may have to redo it because I noticed a little section with no seam allowance.
I cut 1" strips of fabric for foundation piecing.
I cut 1" strips of fabric for foundation piecing.
TR-1 Spanish Moss
Monday, February 29, 2016
C-2 Streak of Lightning
This block was fairly easy but could have been easier had I actually followed my own instructions...
I was able to fussy cut the little elephants to avoid them all being headless. So much better!
(The original instructions are over here.)
The fabric is 30's Playtime Elephants - Betty's Pink available in the store.
Off to go make the first triangle!
I was able to fussy cut the little elephants to avoid them all being headless. So much better!
(The original instructions are over here.)
The fabric is 30's Playtime Elephants - Betty's Pink available in the store.
Off to go make the first triangle!
Thursday, February 25, 2016
C-1 Trooper Green's Badge
At first I thought this one was going to be REALLY quick. Well, as quick as foundation piecing can be, anyway.
Then I realized I had directional fabric to deal with and, trust me, if you don't get it to line up at least a little, your block will look really wonky.
Thanks to freezer paper foundation piecing however, it was fairly simple to do.
Firstly, it's important to trim your previous seam allowance to exactly 1/4". Straight.
That makes it easy to line up your directional fabric along the edge.
If you line it up exactly the same way along each edge, they should all look the same at the end. Of course the little triangles are cut on the bias, so the fabric stretched a little but hey, good enough!
I did the same thing along the outside sections.
(Still awaiting a couple more shared blocks on Instagram (#thatquiltjanealong), Facebook, or Flickr.)
Then I realized I had directional fabric to deal with and, trust me, if you don't get it to line up at least a little, your block will look really wonky.
Thanks to freezer paper foundation piecing however, it was fairly simple to do.
Firstly, it's important to trim your previous seam allowance to exactly 1/4". Straight.
That makes it easy to line up your directional fabric along the edge.
If you line it up exactly the same way along each edge, they should all look the same at the end. Of course the little triangles are cut on the bias, so the fabric stretched a little but hey, good enough!
I did the same thing along the outside sections.
(Still awaiting a couple more shared blocks on Instagram (#thatquiltjanealong), Facebook, or Flickr.)
Tuesday, February 23, 2016
B-2 Sweet Tater Pie
I love this one.
A note: Before I started the applique, I cut out the center of the bottom pinwheel to reduce the bulk underneath.
And when I was done I cut away as much of the bulk on the back as I was comfortable doing.
B-2 Sweet Tater Pie
A note: Before I started the applique, I cut out the center of the bottom pinwheel to reduce the bulk underneath.
And when I was done I cut away as much of the bulk on the back as I was comfortable doing.
B-2 Sweet Tater Pie
Friday, February 19, 2016
B-1 Batchelor Buttons
My applique skills are definitely a little rusty but B-1 is still one of my favorite little blocks.
It's reverse appliqued.
After I finished the block, I trimmed away as much of the excess fabric from the back as I felt comfortable doing.
(And yes, I know how to spell "bachelor" but this is how it's named in the book. Maybe spell checkers weren't around back then. Or maybe the misspelling was on purpose. Either way, it's kind of cute.)
It's reverse appliqued.
After I finished the block, I trimmed away as much of the excess fabric from the back as I felt comfortable doing.
(And yes, I know how to spell "bachelor" but this is how it's named in the book. Maybe spell checkers weren't around back then. Or maybe the misspelling was on purpose. Either way, it's kind of cute.)
Thursday, February 18, 2016
A-2 again, and A-3
I redid A-2 using a small floral. Much better, I think.
Today I made A-3 and then trimmed it completely wonky. So, another remake is in my future. Note to self: Don't trim quilt blocks when you have a splitting headache and are talking on the phone. Multi-tasking does NOT work.
I'm anxiously awaiting some shared blocks on Instagram (#thatquiltjanealong), Facebook, or Flickr.
Today I made A-3 and then trimmed it completely wonky. So, another remake is in my future. Note to self: Don't trim quilt blocks when you have a splitting headache and are talking on the phone. Multi-tasking does NOT work.
I'm anxiously awaiting some shared blocks on Instagram (#thatquiltjanealong), Facebook, or Flickr.
Tuesday, February 16, 2016
A-2 - Kind of...
I made block A-2 yesterday. I may redo it because I'm not totally happy with it.
I used the second elephant fabric from Month 1's kit and I don't like it for two reasons:
1. The block sections are quite small, resulting in too many elephants missing body parts.
2. I made block A-1 using elephant fabric too, so this is getting to be a little too much like a jungle.
If I remake it I'll use a floral print.
I cut 1 1/2" white strips and 2" pink strips for this block.
If you've made this block, please share!
You can post it to the Flickr Group, post a picture on Instagram and tag it with #thatquiltjanealong, or post a picture on the Facebook page.
I'll periodically share blocks made by Jane-along participants over here.
I used the second elephant fabric from Month 1's kit and I don't like it for two reasons:
1. The block sections are quite small, resulting in too many elephants missing body parts.
2. I made block A-1 using elephant fabric too, so this is getting to be a little too much like a jungle.
If I remake it I'll use a floral print.
I cut 1 1/2" white strips and 2" pink strips for this block.
If you've made this block, please share!
You can post it to the Flickr Group, post a picture on Instagram and tag it with #thatquiltjanealong, or post a picture on the Facebook page.
I'll periodically share blocks made by Jane-along participants over here.
Saturday, February 13, 2016
First Block!
Here she is - Block A-1 - Pinwheel Gone Awry!
I have the software so the way I make my paper pieced blocks is as follows:
1. I print out the diagram from the software. I don't use the foundation piecing templates because I've found that many times their numbering doesn't work for me.
It's important to make sure you have the block size set to 4.5" x 4.5" and measure it when you print it because some printers will resize things. Be sure to set your printer not to do that.
2. I mark all the sections that will be sewn in the print fabric with two little hashes.
3. Number them following the instructions.
4. I cut out the sections and score them along the seam lines because I use the freezer paper foundation piecing method to make my blocks.
5. I cut the fabric in strips determined by the size of the sections. I feel that this wastes the least fabric. This is a little bit subjective. For A-1 I used 2 1/4" strips.
And, for fun, a picture of my sewing space.
If you've made this block, please share!
You can post it to the Flickr Group, post a picture on Instagram and tag it with #thatquiltjanealong, or post a picture on the Facebook page.
I'm hoping to also create a link list soon where you can link to your blog posts. Just figuring out the technicalities...
I have the software so the way I make my paper pieced blocks is as follows:
1. I print out the diagram from the software. I don't use the foundation piecing templates because I've found that many times their numbering doesn't work for me.
It's important to make sure you have the block size set to 4.5" x 4.5" and measure it when you print it because some printers will resize things. Be sure to set your printer not to do that.
2. I mark all the sections that will be sewn in the print fabric with two little hashes.
3. Number them following the instructions.
4. I cut out the sections and score them along the seam lines because I use the freezer paper foundation piecing method to make my blocks.
5. I cut the fabric in strips determined by the size of the sections. I feel that this wastes the least fabric. This is a little bit subjective. For A-1 I used 2 1/4" strips.
And, for fun, a picture of my sewing space.
If you've made this block, please share!
You can post it to the Flickr Group, post a picture on Instagram and tag it with #thatquiltjanealong, or post a picture on the Facebook page.
I'm hoping to also create a link list soon where you can link to your blog posts. Just figuring out the technicalities...
Tuesday, February 9, 2016
Ready?
I am. I have my fabric for the first 10 blocks, rotary cutter, ruler, cutting mat, and freezer paper for printing foundation patterns.
In the BOM, we send out a fat eighth of fabric for each block and 18" of background fabric for every 10 blocks. We recommend keeping ALL leftover fabric until the end because you never know when you may need it.
Stay tuned for posts as I make the blocks.
In the BOM, we send out a fat eighth of fabric for each block and 18" of background fabric for every 10 blocks. We recommend keeping ALL leftover fabric until the end because you never know when you may need it.
Stay tuned for posts as I make the blocks.
Tuesday, February 2, 2016
Fabric Sneak Peek
Signups for the latest BOM sessions will be closing very, very soon. As in within the next hour or so. We're getting ready to start cutting kits!
Here's a sneak peek at the first month's fabric:
There have been questions about the "Jane-along".
It will not be very formal but here's the general plan:
(My blogging and "quilt along" skills are a little rusty, so any suggestions to make this better are welcome.)
Here's a sneak peek at the first month's fabric:
There have been questions about the "Jane-along".
It will not be very formal but here's the general plan:
- I'll be making the blocks in the same sequence, at the same time, and using the same fabrics as the 30's Jane kits for this session.
- I'll be blogging about them as I go along and include links to the original instructions on the blog. If you're a BOM subscriber, you won't need these since you already have them in a much easier to use format.
- You can post pictures of your progress on Instagram with the hashtag #thatquiltjanealong.
- Or on the Facebook page.
- Or in the Flickr group.
- My blog posts will automatically post to the Facebook page for those not subscribing in readers like Bloglovin' or Feedly.
(My blogging and "quilt along" skills are a little rusty, so any suggestions to make this better are welcome.)
Wednesday, January 13, 2016
Fabric for Jane-along
As I mentioned in my previous post, I'll be following along making the blocks for the 30's Jane BOM this upcoming session.
You do not have to sign up for the BOM (or even make a 30's Jane) to follow along, although it is nice to have instructions on hand and the BOM instructions are infinitely more printable.
But I digress...
If you'd like to make a 30's Jane using similar fabrics than the ones in the BOM, it might be a good idea to sign up for the 30's Fabric of the Month Club. It is a 12 month FOM and the fabrics will be exactly the same as in the first 12 months of the 30's Jane BOM. You will receive 120 different fabrics!
Here's a little eye candy from the current BOM to whet your appetite:
And just in case you're wondering - you can make two blocks using one fat eighth most of the time. There are a few blocks that use a little more fabric and, of course, it depends on how much you mess up. Speaking from experience...
You do not have to sign up for the BOM (or even make a 30's Jane) to follow along, although it is nice to have instructions on hand and the BOM instructions are infinitely more printable.
But I digress...
If you'd like to make a 30's Jane using similar fabrics than the ones in the BOM, it might be a good idea to sign up for the 30's Fabric of the Month Club. It is a 12 month FOM and the fabrics will be exactly the same as in the first 12 months of the 30's Jane BOM. You will receive 120 different fabrics!
Here's a little eye candy from the current BOM to whet your appetite:
And just in case you're wondering - you can make two blocks using one fat eighth most of the time. There are a few blocks that use a little more fabric and, of course, it depends on how much you mess up. Speaking from experience...
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