wilhelmina

I thought E7 was difficult, I don't plan to do that again! But, if I HAD too I would piece it, then applique the strips.

I liked M3 because it was surprise. I expected it to be a killer block, and it was difficult for sure (my block isn't perfect!) but I pieced it and I was stunned when I was done, because all the pieces fit perfect for me! No ripping out on that one! Maybe it was just one of those rare perfect sewing moments!!! :)

Lacelady

Hold on to that moment, Wil, I certainly didn't have one of those with M3, but in the end it didn't look too bad (if you use the 6ft rule, that is). LOL. I'm off to tackle getting another row of blocks attached to my middle now, wish me luck, yesterday's just didn't want to co-operate, but I was rather tired at the time. Had a little fight with it, and it finally submitted!.

sandpat

Hah Wil!!! You lucky girl you...having a "perfect" sewing moment while working on Jane! :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

wilhelmina

Lesley & Patti, Funny funny! :lol:

Hey Lesley, show us the back of your masterpiece, I want to see that side too. I love love love your fabrics and of course, it goes without saying your hand work looks fabulous!

Tiffany

That is how I handled E7. It actually took me 3 days because I would have to get up and just walk away. It actually looks pretty darn amazing and I can't complain at all at how it turned out, but the process gave me some extra gray hairs and a twitch near my right eye. :lol:

Oh ladies, I took a couple classes from Sally Collins last month. OMG!!!! She has a trick that has revolutionized mine and many of my local friends in our quiltmaking & is proving invaluable with the Dear Jane blocks. When she takes her piece/unit/block to the ironing board to iron it, she irons it like we do but then, instead of taking the piece immediately back to the sewing table to add the next piece, she places a book or a weight of some kind over the piece and lets it cool down completely before taking it off her ironing board. I've been doing this using a ruler with a paper weight (or full gallon of distilled water) on top. It only takes a few minutes to cool down. It sounds like a strange step but allowing it to cool completely with a weight on top of it means that piece ends up being amazingly flat. Flat is great since it lends itself to better construction, especially where the points are concerned. I can't imagine quilting without this little trick. Sally Collins has a DVD out filled with her sewing tips and she shows how she does this and explains why it makes such a difference in the end construction of the quilt. I would really urge you ladies to try this, at least for one block, and see what a difference it makes. :thumbup:

Butterflyspain

Tiffany, Thanks for that tip, never heard of that one but if it works then its for me.

Anyone else got a tip out there that works for them.

The only tip I can give you is that when I do half triangles I cut the material the whole width of the strip. Sew it on lengthwise and it always fits. I know it uses extra material but darn it, I canīt afford any more gray hairs.

Lacelady

Ok, next time I take some pics, I will turn it over so you can see the back. I got another row on today, so there are 10 all together now.

Tiffany

Yep, I've reached that point too. I do enough reverse sewing and I'm tired of turning the piece over and finding I'm short. Cheap is what I am; trying to cut corners by cutting the piece too small. I end up wasting more fabric because the piece ends up too small and I have to cut out an entirely new, bigger piece. :roll:

If anyone is interested in checking out the trunk show Sally Collins did for our guild, just click on Snake River Valley Quilt Guild.

sandpat

Tiff, thanks for that link...the trunk show looks amazing! I want to reach out and touch :D I'm very impressed by the show and tell also...your group is very good!!!

I'll give your shared tip a try. I'm always open to at least trying things. My 1st thought is that it will slow me down and I'm slow as a turtle as it is...but I will try it to see!

My tip is .....fold the paper down towards you, hold it to the light as you hold up your next piece. If your fabric totally covers the section you are ready to sew...it will cover it when you sew it and you won't be unsewing anything. Somewhere on this thread I showed a pic of doing this.

sandpat

Ladies, I'm sooo excited today!!! Today and the next few days that new LQS near me is having their Grand Opening sales...so of course, I HAD to go! Anyway..since she offers a great selection of CW fabs, I bundled up my Jane blocks and off I went determined to find my sashing and backing. Well...I DID find it!

I had decided that I wanted to be different and go with a dark background rather than the light..so I went with a Moda Kansas Troubles really dark brown. At first I thought that I would just use the same thing on the back, but I loved this sweet little floral that matched so well...I decided to use it...So...I got enough for the Jane and picked up some cuts and FQ's too and got out of there for less than $130.00!! I'm doing the happy dance!!! Now I'll be able to start doing the QAYG like Lesley once I get all the IRR's done so I can focus on Jane :lol: :lol: :lol: