tortoisethreads

So, I've been drooling over this quilt for a while now and I'm feeling really inspired. I've been quilting for a couple of years and have done applique and a few "harder" blocks. I'm wondering how scary and difficult it is! It looks scary...I'm reading blogs where people have spent years working on theirs...yikes. Any suggestions or words of encouragement? I was definatly going to buy the software, but is it true there are no real instructions?

sewwhat85

i too have been tempted to try

Tippy

I've been quilting a long time.. before longarms and before computerized machines, just so you know some background.. and I draft a lot of my own patterns. I bought the book.. and would like to do it some time.. and I have to tell you the patterns/directions they give do not always even match the blocks they show.. that being said.. don't let that stop you.. do what you can and enjoy the process.. it's fabric and thread.. not life and death.. enjoy!! and come here for help if you need it.

MTS

Mine is ten years in the making, and I won't share how much of it I have (or haven't) finished. :wink:

My only word of advise for anyone starting this would be, if you're not going to buy both the CD and the book, is to choose the CD. The book has a lot of Brenda's treacly missives to Jane - made me want to puke but my friend was in tears. Go figure. ;-)

The are all kinds of hints for each block here:
http://dearjane.com/
And if you've been quilting for awhile, you'll be able to figure out which way is best for you . Some hand pieced the thing (certifiable in my book). You can paper piece a huge chunk of them. Applique and reverse applique for others. You really hit on pretty much every method out there. It's a huge learning experience. And how can you get frustrated with 4.5" block?

By having the CD, you can easily print out the templates or the foundations instead of having to make copies and/or trace them from the book. It's a huge time saver.

And no one says you have to make the whole thing. I've seen gorgeous quilts with original or unique settings. It's not a race (as I can attest to).

You'll finish when you finish. If you make a few blocks and decide you hate them, well, you can turn them into mugrugs.

DogHouseMom

I would say go ahead and try a few blocks. The nice thing about Jane is that you use so many different fabrics, and every block is different. It's not like you have to cut everything "now" ... you cut what you need for ONE 4.5" block. Make a few, and if you have the need or desire to put it away, it's no big deal.

milp04

Hi,

DJ is not scary although it may seem overwhelming a quilting task when you first start. There is at least one very long thread here for the Dear Jane quilt project. There are several websites devoted to Dear Jane. There are also several groups to be found at Yahoo groups. There may be other groups and resources but that is all that I can think of at this time.

Depending on where you live there are classes, quilt shops that have BOM fabric distributions, and groups that get together to help and support and cheer each other on.

To me the HARDEST part is deciding if you want to have an authentic looking quilt, the updated version, what theme, what colors, what size, and how many, etc., as some decide to make more than one block at a time. Some choose to piece the blocks by hand, or a mixture of hand and machine piecing.

This quilt is done piece by piece and block by block. This quilt is a project that is not a sprint but a long distant marathon. Most groups start with the easier blocks and move on to the intermediate blocks, then the advanced. By the time you get to doing the advanced blocks you'll be able to get them done.

There are lots of DJer's who are willing to help you through any questions you might have. All you really need is scissors, needle, thread, ruler, paper, pencil and of course fabric along with desire, patience and determination. The other items listed certainly help make the process easier.

If and when you start, your Dear Jane will begin a new part of your quilting journey. Be fore warned though, Dear Jane can be VERY addicting! lol

Pam M

MTS

s/b advice.
Duh. :roll:

PATTIESPEARL

It is too much work for me right now. I lost a very dear friend in a terrible car wreck om friday. I was very sick on top of that and spent my day at the emergency room on Saturday. Have to try to see the urologist as soon as possible. I lost so much blood from my bladder, I was so scared! Pray for me that this is not something serious. I don't have time to be sick, too much work to do.

luce321

The quilt is beautiful and has so much detail. I don't think I would attempt it as I haven't enough experience to attempt it now. Patsy, sorry to hear that you are not feeling well. Just remember you are in my prayers.

QuiltswithConvicts

Here is the"local" Dear Jane thread. There is a vitural section of the Dear Jane quilt threads. Go to the bottom of any page and click on "Topic Lists." Scroll down until you came to the Dear Jane section. It's near the end.

http://www.quiltingboard.com/virtual...jsp?vsnum=1009

This is an active group that started over a year ago and is still going strong. New quilters are starting their Baby Janes every day, so you won't be alone. There are hundreds of tips & tricks to be found. These gals are so very supportive & really nice, too.

I hand pieced my baby - Jane's Journey and am hand quilting it now. I started it way back when - didn't work consistently on mine, so when I found this group, they were the encouragement I needed to finish her. It's too hot now for me to quilt - nearly 90º yesterday - but I will finish her.

Don't let the number of pages get to you - start at the end & work backward.

Have fun. One suggestion would be to buy the software that is available for it. I didn't & wish, now, that I had it. Some of the ladies that are finishing up and are tons of help are Lacelady (Lesley), Sandpat (Patti) & Butterflyspain (Elle). Another dozen or so are also actively participating and chatting & You'll get to know all of them!