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.

A-2 - Kind of...

I made block A-2 yesterday. I may redo it because I'm not totally happy with it.

I used this elephant fabric 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.

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...

Ready?

I am. I have my fabric for the first 10 blocks, rotary cutter, ruler, cutting mat, and freezer paper for printing foundation patterns.


Stay tuned for posts as I make the blocks.

Pinning

The quilt is pinned! It's still taped to the floor because I have a couple of tiny blood drops I have to try and remove. It's not really a quilt until you've bled on it, right?

I had to make THREE pin runs (actually 4 because one time I forgot my wallet at home and had to go back to fetch it) before I had enough pins for this quilt. It's the biggest quilt I've ever made!
So, how many pins do you need for a Dear Jane® quilt? Somewhere between 800 and 1,000 depending on how much pinning you do.

I pinned once in the sashing surrounding each block and once in the center of each block. I hope it's enough!

And here's how I pinned the triangles and scallops:

Off to go try some stain removal techniques.

The Red & White Mini Baby Jane

I've been waiting since October for a nice day to take photos of this little quilt but it just hasn't happened. Winter in Seattle...
Today I decided to just go for it. Better photos can always be taken later.

If you follow the blog you may remember my original layout back in September.
I changed it up a bit and decided to use prairie points in the border. I have a thing for prairie points these days.
Oh and BTW, the little quilt won 3rd place in the miniatures category in the quilt show. It's 24" x 24" in size.

Once Upon a Time...

...a long, long Time Ago, I planned to make a red & white Baby Jane.
Many, many things have happened in my life in the mean time and I'm pretty sure it's not going to happen as a full scale version.
I did make a couple of blocks way back then.
Our local guild's quilt show is coming up in November and I was wracking my brain for something to enter, when I remembered the little red blocks.
I played around with the Dear Jane software a little this morning and came up with this:

If you're in the Seattle area and would like to see her in the show, mark your calendar now: November 7 to November 9 in Issaquah, WA.