I was asked today to consider posting patterns for doing a Dear Jane type quilt only using my quilt blocks.

So here goes! My shortcuts allow you to do intricate looking quilt blocks with easy steps. So don't let the look of the quilt blocks scare you off. When you know the tricks of the process you will enjoy making these.

You don't have to make them small. You can make them six 1/2" or you can make a 12 1/2" quilt block. Your choice.

You will need a template and a ruler with a 30 degree angle or you can use the free templates I send out. If you don't have them and would like to request them send me a pm

PLEASE STATE IN YOUR MESSAGE WHAT SIZE TEMPLATES YOU WOULD LIKE

The size template you need will depend on the size of quilt block you want to make.

Template sizes:
Six block by Six block
Use a 1 1/2" to get a six 1/2" unfinished quilt block
Use a 2 1/2" to get a 12 1/2" unfinished quilt block
4 by 4 quilt block
Use a 2" template to get a six 1/2" quilt block
Use a 3 1/2" template to get a 12 1/2" quilt block

We will be using my Boston Blocks and my Star Point Blocks. Each week we will use differant blocks. I have several differant "Blocks" to use.

You can find the directions for these here
Boston Blocks - http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-38879-1.htm
Half Square Template Blocks
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-37915-1.htm

I will be posting 3 quilt blocks each Monday. How many we end up with I still don't know for sure. Since I don't make large quilts that is something I still need to figure out.

These quilt blocks are in a six block by six block pattern or a 4 by 4 pattern. I am including the layout of each quilt block so you can see each Boston or Star Point Block and you can see how they are placed. If you have a question be sure to ask.

Interesting! I am looking forward to seeing your other blocks.

Hi R!!! I'm sooo tempted by this but I've got so much other stuff going on. Maybe I'll play, I'd really love to! I never did the bookmark so feeling a bit guilty about that! :oops: :-D

Hmmmm.....

oh, i think i'm going to jump in here and give this a whorl...i've been wanting to do a new sampler, and the dear jane seems so intimidating...i'm thinking only 3 blocks a week...that may not overwhelm...i could probably do that...so,
of course i have to go home...boy, sometimes work sure interferes with my quilting!
i am excited to get my first blocks done!

How timely. I am wanting to make a quilt for a doll house. I have the templates. Thank you Rhonda.

I will post a picture thread when we have a few who have completed some blocks.

Feel free to give me any feedback about what you would like to see in the blocks. I am trying to give some blocks that are not as many "Blocks" as well as some of my favorite intricate looking ones so anyone can pick and choose the blocks they may want to make. You don't have to make them all. There are no rules to this. Just make the ones you like and put them in any arrangement you like.

This is for fun so don't stress over the quilt blocks!!

I have been wanting to do a sampler that is very simple. You are sure this one is? I am very new to quilting but I want to learn.
The blocks look wonderful. I am pming for your free templates.
Thank you,
Nancy

Thanks - I sent a pm for the templates and am looking forward to working on this. May try to do them in all one color sceme. Any ideas as to how many colors and how much material for either size for just the blocks?

Rhonda...........what a great idea!! :thumbup: I just might be able to make a few of these!! :D At least, I hope so!! Thank you for posting your pattern's.
:D :D :D :D

Anyone is feeling unsure about making the quilt blocks I suggest you go to the Boston Block tutorial and practice one block. It is easy if you don't look at the whole project at one time. Just try out one block and see what you think.

I had my DGS who was 10 at the time make a boston block so if he could do it any beginner can do it. It is really easy. There is little math and all you do is sew and cut around the template. By sewing first you get little pieces in the square you cut out.

Don't let the intricate look fool you into thinking it is hard to do. If you take the time to sew a straight seam and cut accurately it will be a breeze. and you will be able to brag about your intricate quilt blocks!!

I ordered more templates and template plastic so unfortunately it will take me abit to get them and get them out to you but I will send them as soon as I can. I do have some of the sizes so I will send out what I have on hand and send the rest when I get them.

Rhonda I did the boston block tut and now I can't decide on a layout for the block. I posted it so that others could help me decide. I didn't expect the block to be so simple and the layout so hard. Lol

I'm glad you had a good time making the blocks! I think they are so easy but people think I am saying that because I work in miniatures. But it doesn't make any differance what size you make them the process is the same.

Good luck deciding on a layout!! LOL That is the part that is fun to me! I love seeing how many differant quilt blocks you can make with the same set of Boston Blocks and HSTs or whatever. I quite often mix hsts in with them for a differant design look. Enjoy!

That is hard to say. I usually give my fabrics to my friend Dorothy and she makes me 100s of these blocks. So I don't really know.

You can measure from the center of your template to one point and add a 1/2" for two seam allowances. This is how wide and how tall your swatch needs to be for the quarter square parts.
For the dark swatch measure across the template from corner to corner and your fabric needs to be at least this wide. I like to add a bit more so you aren't cutting it short. Then the height will be the same as the quarter squares.

You can cut a square for the dark swatch using the measurement across the template from corner corner. A 1 1/2" template is 2 1/8" from corner to corner and I like to add a bit so you aren't coming out short.

If you cut a 2 1/2" square you can cut it from corner to corner and use the triangles for your dark swatch. This will give two dark swatches. And you will see less waste.

I prefer to make my swatches larger than needed and reuse them to make more blocks.

So the yardage will depend on what quilt block you are making and it will depend on how many colors you choose to use. It will be differant for differant people depending on the choices you make.

So for a 1 1/2" Boston Block you would need for one block

light swatch - 1 1/8" (center to corner) + 1/2" = 1 5/8" or round it off at 1 1/2" to be simpler math. This is the height and the width.

The medium swatch will be the same 1 1/2" x 1 1/2"
The dark swatch will be 2 1/2" x 1 1/2" if you are using rectangles like I did or 2 1/2" square if you want to use the square method.

I show in the HST tutorial how I pull apart the leftover pieces and sew them back together again to make more blocks. This saves time sorting out more colors and fabric and saves you time matching up swatches. they are already sorted and matched. This is why I like to use larger swatches when I cut so I have more to work with to recycle. I only cut swatches once but can make 2 or 3 blocks with the leftovers without having to go digging for more fabric.

Now you can figure out how many blocks you are making and how many will fit in a fat quarter or half yard etc.

As for color if you change where the colors go you will see a totally differant quilt block. If you want to get the same look I show here you need to use comparable colors in the same places I did.

If it is medium in mine make sure you use medium in the same place. If it is a light fabric use a light fabric. Make sure you use fabrics that will have contrast and don't blend together. You will lose the design if your mediums and lights are too much the same or your mediums and darks are too close in value.

Lay the two together and step back. Can you see each one apart from the other one? If not then you need to change your values. By that I mean your medium needs to be lighter than your dark or a color that is opposite of your dark.

You could use a blue for the dark and a red for the medium and a gold for the light. Just make sure your colors are in the right place too. Make sure when you make your Bostons that the medium is on the left if that is where it needs to be or on the right if that is where it is supposed to be for the quilt block you are making.

I like to use at least 3 colors usually but that can vary.

You can post here and ask any questions you like or post a pic of your fabric and get ideas from other members who are doing it too.I check my pms and the board off and on all day. So I will get back to you as soon as I see it.

I am going to give it a try it will be like taking a class! I love the blocks you posted.

I think I am going to give this a try. PM'ing you for the templates! They blocks look great!

I'm interested I would like the 12 1/2 square , thanks

I'm in but does it have to be mini's?

just what I need-this site is a quilter's dream answered...I am making a 1/3 throw to use as a decoration on a bed & matching shams with same blk. the throw in 12in. blks & the shams in 6in. blks, I could use a set of each size. [email protected]

Hi, I sure would like to make that Dear Jane blocks. I tried the some of the small ones, but I'm not into real small stuff!?? I sure would like to try the larger one, 12.5 one.

I think I'll give this a try also! I love these blocks.

Oooo! I tried my hand at this today! :D

I'm in think I will do the 121/2. Thanks for doing this for us.

I will follow along but have way to many other projects I am working on. Have fun.

Pm me and let me know if you need any of the templates. Make sure to include your postal address and which templates you want.

Glad to have you play along!!

Could you send me your postal address in a pm please? Thanks!!

No you can do them in a 12 1/2" quilt block for any size quilt you want. Just let me know that is the size you want. I know you pmed me so I can't remember what you asked for. I'll go check. Thanks!!!!

These are hard plastic so I need to send them through snail mail. Pm me with your postal address so I can send them! Thanks!!

I need your postal address please. You can send it to me in a pm or email. My email is in my signature.

Thanks! This is fun as I get to share some of my favorite quilt blocks.

Rebecca This turned out really well. I am so pleased to be able to show people and get them to try my shortcuts. When I discovered them I was so excited to share them with other quilters!

One of the excitements for me is discovering when you lay the blocks together you can see secondary designs you didn't realize were there.

I thank you so much for shareing your picture here!

Do you need any templates? Send me your postal address if you do.

This sounds great. Don't know how I'll fit this in but count me in. I would like to make them in the 12 1/2 size. Thank you for doing this. Anne

I sent you a PM just a few minutes ago. I want the 12 1/2 block. Hope I haven't gotten in over my head.

K3N, I really love your avatar quilt. Could you possibly post a bigger pic? I'd like to see more of it. Sunflowers are my fav.

Here's an unpressed block.