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I've decided on my next big project and I'd like to invite you to join me. Many of you may have heard of this but for these who haven't, a little history.
Some years ago Brenda Papadakis saw a photo of this quilt in a book and fell in love with it. She painstakingly drafted every one of the 225 blocks and published them in a book.
The original quilt was made by Jane Stickle of Vermont in Civil War times. She finished it in 1863. Each block is different! Read more about the history of all this here.
Brenda's book does not include instructions for making the blocks, just scaled diagrams, so you can decide for yourself how you want to make them. The blocks are 5" small - 4.5" finished. I will provide suggestions for making the blocks as we go.
There are many, many versions of this quilt out there in cyberspace. Some are almost exact replicas of the original and some are more modern, have different color schemes, or different arrangements of the blocks.
You can find many examples if your search "Dear Jane Quilt" on Flickr. These are some of my favorites. Yatzi made a collage here that will lead you to some great photos.
So, what do you say? Is anyone up for a challenge? You can make as many blocks as you want and assemble them in any way that you want.
You will have to buy the book, because we should respect the work Brenda put into drafting all these blocks. It is kind of hard to find, but I found a couple on eBay as well as Amazon.
So....if you're interested in joining me, leave a comment. If you think I'm totally nuts, leave a comment too.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Wanna join me?
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Do I think this is nuts? Pretty close to, I'd say. Do I want to participate? I'd REALLY like to, but can I find the time? Maybe one block a week (but how many years would that take, do you think)? Have any sort of schedule in mind? Even if you're not nuts, I'm nuts for considering this, but I love this pattern!
ReplyDeleteTotally nuts but isn't that a gorgeous quilt. I might jump in at some point but I think I should start and finish Amanda Jean's quiltalong first.
ReplyDeleteFYI you can buy the book from Brenda's web site and she also sells a CD which gives instructions and templates and alternates for lots of the blocks.
ReplyDeletego to
http://www.dearjane.com/
and go to the shop and you can get the book & cd or either.
and here is the flickr group a bunch of us were using when we were doing it (except i am no longer working on it / just too stressful for me right now with the very minimum amount of crafting time i have available):
http://www.flickr.com/groups/thedearjaneproject/
i might do it again in a year or two but then i'm going to make the blocks twice their size. :)
good luck!!
The quilt(s) are beautiful. But because I haven't made a quilt yet, I don't think this is the one to start with. But, I'' love looking at others. I'll check on Flickr.
ReplyDeleteJoni
I've been tempted to take on this project myself, but I can't. I don't think I could stick with it. I look forward to seeing your journey, though! And I think you are a little bit nuts, but I want to say that in the gentlest and kindest way possible. :)
ReplyDeleteWould I like to join in...of course, do I have time to join...I don't really know/think so. I have seen this quilt in magazines and thought it was beautiful. I need to finish AmandaJeans Quilt-A-Long and my grandpas quilt (which has been 2 years in the making). I am going to happily sit and watch as you work on yours.
ReplyDeleteMy heart says yes... my calendar says no. Gosh I've been wanting to make this. One day. One day!
ReplyDeleteOh it's soooooo tempting!
haha you are crazy!
ReplyDeleteBut do I want to do it?? Of course! I've been eyeing this forever.
I can't promise that I'll be able to keep up at your pace though ;)
I would love to, but I don't think I can keep up with you!
ReplyDeleteBut oh, how fun it will be to watch this happen... :)
the woman who owns my favorite quilt shop made one of these all by hand. no machine involved at all. that is pretty crazy. I have often thought about making one of these myself but this year I have already started a grandmother's flower garden quilt. only one huge undertaking per year. I can't wait to see yours though!
ReplyDeleteHoly cow! I don't know that I'm up for making one myself but that doesn't mean I'm not floored by the beauty of that thing. It's gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteWow! Add me to your minions that Love this quilt but can't fit it in right now. It's a beautiful quilt!
ReplyDeleteI’m so sorry Anina, but this quilt project is beyond my capacities and calender right now. I would have loved to join a smaller and more achievable quilt-a-long. I hope others will join your Dear Jane journey because it’s a wonderful quilt!
ReplyDeleteI love the quilts and the idea but it's way out of my league. I am going to purchase the book and begin to learn more about it and quilting so I can eventually try this, too. It will be so wonderful and a great learning experience to watch your progress.
ReplyDeleteUmmm, yes. This is madness.
ReplyDeleteBut I'm thinking about joining you!
I wish I could, but know I can't!! I have a friend who is making it and is working around the quilt using all the colours from the colour wheel. I haven't seenit yet but I think it would be gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteyes you are completely nuts!cant wait to see how you go, i love the borders my self!good luck
ReplyDeleteI started my DJ a few months ago. I have the book, the software, etc. To keep track of the progress (very little so far) I started another blog just for the DJ. But, I'm not on a schedule, just work on it when/if time allows. I'm mostly hand piecing but made a few with machine. I was inspired by a few other bloggers. Cathi at Celtic Knots is hand quilting hers now. Good luck with yours. Enjoy the process, and remember, Brenda says, "Finished is better than perfect."
ReplyDeleteWonderful
ReplyDeleteI would love to join, I think it is a great idea to use up all the scraps lying around! But, it might take me 6 years to complete!!
I will see if I can get the book locally!!
I first decided to make a Dear Jane--entirely by hand--in October of 2006. I have completed 13 blocks since then. This is going to take a while. :)
ReplyDeleteI've had the book for a few years - I keep taking it off the shelf, stroking it, perusing it and then putting it back. I'd love to make a DJ - can't ever see myself doing one in its entirety but a small baby jane might just be doable - oh dear now you've planted that seed...........
ReplyDeleteThis one is on my list of quilts I want to make but I have so many other projects I want to finish first. I'll follow your journey if you decide to make it.
ReplyDeleteI've thought about it but I'm having more fun watching others do it! LOL
ReplyDeleteBTW, I've tagged you. :-)
Do I think you are nuts? Definitely! But then I must be a little bit squirrel bait too, because I have always wanted to make this quilt! I just didn't like the colours, but the bright example would be right up my alley! I might not be able to keep up with you though! But I would love to try at least a few of those blocks!
ReplyDeleteI want to do it but I'm a bit scared. I'm an experienced quilter and pattern designer (just local stuff mostly) and our town quilt group is doing a Dear Jane quilt but I need more inspiration and encouragement. I really don't want to do it because of my fear of things that tiny. I guess I need more hand holding. I don't want to make all the blocks, just the more simple ones. I am committing to make a doll quilt. Thats how much a baby I am. Thanks for doing this. I need it.
ReplyDeleteHoly cow! I need to make this quilt, I love the idea of this! I am totally down for this challenge
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the quilt. I started mine on 9/10/2001 - yes, the day before horrible 9/11. I have been keeping a journal on fabric of my progress and what was going on in my life and the world when I finished a block. That journal will go on the back of my quilt. This past week I finish all the center blocks and am ready to move on to the triangles. If I make one triangle a week - I can finish the quilt in one year!!! Now how exciting is that. I do not work on it steadily just every so often I get it out and make a block. I have found the softward to be great, much better than the book as you can print out templates and paper piecing patterns. I plan to post a pic of my quilt in progress on tomorrow's blog, once I get that last row sewn on to all the other rows. My blog is stitchinfriends.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteI would love to and so admire this quilt, but unfortunately I can't with my time constraints. I do plan on checking in on your progress! Good Luck!!
ReplyDeleteI was fortunate enough to hear Brenda Papadakis speak at a quilt show in Fort Worth, TX a couple weeks ago. I had never considered making the quilt before that, but I am thinking about it now. I plan to get the new edition of the Dear Jane book when it comes out this spring.
ReplyDeleteI would love to join, i have started already but i really need a few tips to keep me on track!
ReplyDeleteNicky
I would love to do it with you, I have wanted to make it for a very long time, in fact I started several months ago and did a whopping 5 blocks. I have a nice assortment of Civil War fabrics that would be great for it. Decisions, decisions. I have so many projects on my plate already! I have the book and the CD, the CD makes it really nice to do the blocks.
ReplyDeleteSo how did you know I bought this book last month (and the EQ module to boot)? I was totally captivated by Moonstitches Dear Jane blocks and decided I wanted to make a few on the side. Sounds like a fun quilt along, please send me a Flickr invite!
ReplyDeleteI have just started my Dear Jane quilt and am really enjoying it so far. I am working entirely by hand because I love handsewing. I enjoy watching your quilt grow, if you want to see my blocks you will have to come and visit my blog.
ReplyDeleteI've started this quilt 3 different times in 3 different colors and have never gotten very far past 15 blocks. I do have a small one that was done in a guild swap...but I lust after a completed DJ! I think I'm in for this...I'm off to check the other blog!
ReplyDeleteI've been thinking about this sent you posted this and I just can't decide! Maybe I will make some blocks along with you and see how it goes...
ReplyDeleteMy friend Amanda gave me the book and I really want to do it but I am not sure I have the skills or time! I will try though- send me an invite at flickr for the group.
ReplyDeleteI have the book, and I think I could do it as a block of the week (If we maybe get a rest week somewhere in there). If your up for it!
ReplyDeleteI have the book and a sweet collection of repros , I actually made three blocks by myself years ago........perhaps now it 's time to go on. Please send me an invite. Together it is way more fun!
ReplyDeleteThat quilt is fantastic and I am looking forward to seeing it progressing in cyberspace!
ReplyDeleteOh, so many projects so little time! Maybe I will play along here and there ;)
ReplyDeleteyes, this might be the opportunity for me, so I've decided to join too
ReplyDeletedear anina
ReplyDeletegreat idea! but i´ll just watch your quilts growing - i don´t have the time and it´s to difficult for me to read and do all this in english... is there a flickr group??
best wishes for your dear jane projekt, nicola from germany
Wow, I found you. I've decided to make, ahem, start a Dear Jane this year, and I’ve not gotten very far yet, so count me in please! I hope it is not too late.
ReplyDelete