Not a Dear Jane, but my 'Dear Jenn'
 

I've been making these little blocks since July. Each block is currently 4.5" and they will finish at 4". I've got some special, personalized blocks along with some traditional pieced blocks. This will be a quilt for me and it may take a long time, but I enjoy the challenge of finding blocks in various sources, resizing them if needed, picking out scraps of fabric to make them, and really honing some piecing and applique skills.
Let me know if you like a particular block, and I will give you it's name and source. However, there isn't a pattern for the whole quilt.
Do you see the sewing machine that looks like a KitchenAid mixer? (I still need to finish it with an embroidered needle). There is one block that has 77 pieces and took approximately six hours to make. I know, craziness!

Jennie, I love your blocks! You have a great range of patterns and colors. If this is craziness, then we must be cousins. This is one of my favorite things to do--make small blocks with lots of pieces and see if I can get them to work. I'm addicted to paperpiecing. Thanks for sharing your pics.

I enjoyed looking at your blocks very much. Thanks for sharing. I am doing a Dear Jane now and am enjoying the process.

Love, love!! I'd be interested in the block with 77 pieces!! I love a good challenge. :)

I'm SMILING, JanRN ... this is such good news!!!
What a good addiction to have!!! :)



JenniePenny ... looks like a fun project and even better when a lot of these blocks tells something about you!

OMGosh! This is fabulous. I love the KitchenAid mixer/sewing machine block!

For those of you who love 4" quilt blocks, Better Homes and Gardens book 501 quilt blocks is a collection of 501 pieced and applique blocks that are all 4" finished. Some of them have an amazing number of pieces. The Texas Treasures block, for instance, has 118 pieces.

I found that book at Goodwill for a couple of dollars. I use it for night time inspiration while getting sleepy....

Me too on finding the book at a Goodwill for a few dollars! Many of the blocks shown are from that book:
White cat, orange cat, sewing machine, rotary cutter, lamb, running shoe, pine tree, and a few others.

This is so cool and beautiful. I love it. Thanks for sharing it.

wow, those are terrific. there sure are many many hours of work represented there.

It's amazing. I love all the different things to look at. I'm dying to see it completed. What a labor of love.

Your Dear Jenn is going to be beautiful.

Awesome Jan! We are quilting cousins.
If you ever want to share photos, discussions, etc, about your blocks, just let me know! There's another member who has been my one-person cheering squad. Every few days I snap a picture of a new block and send her an email.

Wow...nice job...will be looking for the 501 block book

Holy WOW! I'm betting on the Christmas block being 77 pieces?

Me too, me too!!!

Wow , this is going to be a amazing quilt when completed. I love that you are sharing your journey.

all are nice

Wonderful !!!! Made me go "hmmmmm- now why didn't i think of that?"

Hi Treelady and MommaDorian,
The tree block has 50+ pieces. The flying geese block with the tan background (one of the 'Signature' blocks in the Better Homes and Garden 501 Quilt Blocks, 1994) is the one with 77 pieces.

Bummer, I was hoping they were freebies.

Jen .. FANTASTIC!!! I have been collecting fabric for a few years now for a Dear Jane "inspired" quilt - and like yours I intend on making blocks that I like or design myself. BRAVO!! Your's is coming out fantastic!! I love the 77 piece block (I'm a sucker for small pieces), and I thought the bride block was cool too. I liked so many of them!!!

totally awesome, you doing a great job on these.

Would love to see this quilt when it's all put together. Amazing blocks and color. This is the kind of quilt you could sit and look at for hours and still see something new. Love it !

Just terrific, great job and thank you for sharing
Have a Blessed day
Ellen

wow really impressive....i love the more personnal blocks..

Hmmm I have this book, I'll have to revisit it again soon as I also like the challenge making little blocks. I thought I was the only slightly to the right of center when it came to these blocks LOL

I lean towrad the traditional but they are all beautiful... A way to tell your life story??

Very nice! :)

Your 'Dear Jen' has inspired me to try smaller blocks. I have wondered why I felt compelled to collect small pieces, esp. garage/thrift store finds. Now I know. Thanks to all the others who had suggestions also. As soon as I get my left arm back in use {shoulder surgery 4 weeks ago} I'll be so full of ideas I won't know where to begin.

This is so neat! I love all of your blocks.
I have that book. I bought it new when it first came out. LOL...

This will truly be a "MASTERPIECE".
Let us see when finished.
J J

How beautiful, and you obviously have a lot of focus and patience.

What a great idea! Looking forward to the photos of your Dear Jenn quilt! Luann in CT

this is great for the past few weeks I've been sort of looking for blocks that I like to do the same thing. I've been reading up and watching videos to see how difficult it is to make the smaller blocks and I think (think is the magic word here) I can do this. I don't want to do one like everyone else either so I will be picking my blocks as I find ones I really like.
I've ordered the foundation paper and just waiting for it to arrive so I can get started.
Your is looking so cool, I just hope I can do as good.
Thanks for sharing, it makes me want to do this project even more.

Thank you all for your encouragement! I have been transitioning into an empty nest and thus, looking back on what I have done, feeling nostalgic, and wanting to tell my story in the best way that I know how. I find that the quilters here are just the people who will say, "you are not alone; and no you are not crazy, and by the way, I like your blocks."

I was just thinking that maybe a few of us who like the mini blocks can create a little group here on the board. Not a swap or anything with deadlines. Just to show our little beauties and get ideas, and help in the telling of our life stories through fabric.

Jennie, I like the idea of sharing our pics of little blocks. I'm just doing some random ones--some are in batiks, some florals, some uglies LOL. Your crazy cousin will happily join your group!

Great! I'll see if I can set something up through the moderators this weekend. In the meantime, you can post a few pictures here- I certainly would love to see what you have been working on!

Jennie, your quilt is going to be absolutely gorgeous and I love the way you are choosing blocks that mean something to you. Great job and keep it up! I'd love to join your "little" group!