I would like to join this group as I've got my book and software already. I've been getting instructions from The Twiddle Store for doing the DJ in as a Rainbow. I think I may use batiks if I can find enough material in the colors I need I hope not to repeat fabric to often.

Donna C.
dconroy84

Oh Donna, that sounds so pretty. Green Fairy did hers in Kaffe fabrics and it is beautiful. I looked at my stash and I am going to just pull out bright colors I love. Have so many that need to be used. My problem is deciding on a background fabric.

dakota-
green fairy's DJ is made against a white background - I'm seriously considering... do I dare make two?? I have soooo many Civil War fabrics - but then, there are lots of CW quilt patterns out there - perhaps the Kaffe & bright fabs would be okey doke!

I don't know if it was Janice who asked the question - you can pick whatever fabrics you like - or simply dig into your stash. You need about 7yd of backgrounds - can be all one fabric or different - just make sure they have the same value [all same dark colors or light color....]

I suppose if you put the type of diamond 'feel' on it that greenfairy did on hers with the Kaffe, you could use different color backgrounds. What was done there was that the quiltmaker - one of greenfairy's customers [greenfairy has a longarm quilting machine and will show her quilting on her customer's quilts at her website..http://greenfairyquilts.blogspot.com...ear-jane.html] she started with a dark blue for center blocks and changed the contrast main color against the white background... green yellow orange pink red... in a 'diamond' pattern around the center blocks. I suppose you could do the opposite as well - vary the color of the backgrounds. There are lots and lots of ideas [I've never seen that done - just envisioning it in my head - don't blame me if you try it!! ;) ]

If you are not sure what fabrics you would like - I suggest going to the greenfairy blogsite and also to www.dearjane.com and to http://thatquilt.blogspot.com/2009/01/b-1.html. You will find many links to how others have put their DJs together.

What you do need is either the DJ book or software. There are also special rulers on the market. [I looked through most of my very messy!!!! quilt stuff and couldn't locate them. I will give myself til Christmas and purchase another set as I understand the right rulers are invaluable!!]

Hope that helps!

Welcome to all newbies [and not-so-newbies!]
Gus

"Dear Hannah" (DH) is another quilt by Brenda Papadakis. The book contains a sampler quilt in the 'Dear Jane" (DJ) style" and letters to her granddaughter, Hannah.

DJ has 169 center blocks (13x13), while DH is a bit smaller with 143 center blocks (11x13). DH has quite a bit more applique than the DJ quilt (approx. half of the center DH blocks are applique). The blocks are the same size in both quilts, though you can adjust their size in the EQ software.

The physical DH book is out of publication, but it was republished in an E-Book format, for a very low price:

EBOOK DEAR HANNAH: IN THE STYLE OF JANE STICKLE
http://www.americanquilter.com/books...il.php?id=8131

On Sale for a low price:
DEAR HANNAH: QUILT DESIGN SOFTWARE
http://www.americanquilter.com/books...il.php?id=6399

Please note the DH software is NOT standalone. You must have one of the following:
* DJ Software
* EQ 5, 6 or 7
I recommend the DJ software, because it handles the side triangles and corner kites better than the regular EQ software.

The software requires MS Windows, but you can still run it on an Intel Mac via:
* A Virtual Machine, such as Parallels or VMWare Fusion.
* Natively via Bootcamp (comes with OS X).
Of course, you would also need a copy of MS Windows to install in the above.

I found it definitely easier to do than all of that sounds. If you would like more information, there is a Yahoo group, EQonMacs, which discusses running EQ software on Macs.

I'm also thinking about it. Have 8 block completed. However, may start over with the same color fabric as background. Don't know if I want a variety of ecru colors as my background.

I have a dj wip. will try to again. maybe this time I can keep up!

What is AOTH?
Robin in TX

AOTH is a quilt Affairs of the Heart. you can find the thread for this in BOM

Count me in. Three a month sounds good. Thanks for getting this going.
Robin in TX