I was intrigued when I saw a "Dear Jane" quilt at a quilt show last year, and have admired the photos of finished quilts I have seen on this site. I purchased a quilting magazine last month that had a very interesting article, which lead me to buying the book of patterns. I'm not giving myself a deadline for this one! I just plan to quilt a block or two as I find time, or need a break from other projects.

Did you find the easiest way to keep track was to do them in order, as presented, or begin with the simpler blocks and progress from there?

I had never been a huge fan of the muted 'Civil War' era fabrics - but it seems that this would be the most fitting for this project! And suddenly I find myself looking at those fabrics in a whole new light. :)

Oh, you need to see some of the other DJ's made in fabric other than Civil War!
You should do it in whatever fabrics/style you like. I've seen them in brights, monochromatic, Aunt Grace, batiks, scrappy, etc.

And the reason you should enjoy the color selection is because it's going to be with you for a very, very long time. :mrgreen:

That article you read was about the two teachers at the City QUilter, right? I started my DJ with them a decade ago (it's still not done). Fabulous teachers.

Scroll through some of these DJ versions (I wish I could filter out the real one). Also take notice of some of the different layouts:

http://www.google.com/search?q=dear+...ls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&prmd=ivns&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&s a=X&ei=TkptTqupKYKDgAemsLDkBQ&ved=0CE8QsAQ&biw=128 0&bih=670

There's a 400 page DJ thread on the board -
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-28063-1.htm

And the DJ mothership:
http://dearjane.com/
Which also has a gallery and is a great resource for tips on piecing certain "troublesome" blocks. ;-)

Enjoy your journey.

When I did DJ, I did them in the order in the book - unless I didn't like that block on that day, and then I did which ever I felt like.

Gorgeous! Now we're talking!!

When I did my Dear Jane, I did block of the week
finished the quilt, and made more blocks the same way -used them for table runner and placemats.

I am making my DJ in a classic older fabrics because I want to preserve the spirit of the quilt itself. I am going to go in order of the book using whatever colors I feel at the time fit the block. I was going to do it in blues and whites, then I liked it in the reds and played with the ideas of more traditional coloring and keep coming back to the original colors. That is just me, but I haven't run across a DJ quilt I didn't like or greatly admire.

I made a grid and would stab my pencil at the grid--that's the block I'd make. I still have about 15 to go :thumbup:

I just started a Farmers Wife (similar to DJ). I am doing in order, so the hard ones are in with the others. Otherwise I might never have done #7. It was hard!!!

i just started a dear jane recently and i am doing the blocks that catch my eye and that i think i will enjoy making that particular day. i think it helps to get a few blocks under your belt and see how pretty they shape up for you. i thought i would use alot of browns and reds and i thought i might use some christmas material in it. now that i have it underway, i find that i just play it block by block and decide what color to use. on some i use the same colors that is on the original and then others i pick another color just because a particular fabric seems to stand out for that block. it is like the quilt is speaking to me as to how it wants to be made. lol

How I would do a DJ - buy this fabric http://www.windhamfabrics.net/cgi-bi...98&Page=1&v=1. Stitch around the shapes to make it look like I didn't cheat. :D :D

lol..Lucy that is the only way I would ever complete a DJ!

I've started making a few DJ blocks as well; I'm making a scrappy one with fabric leftovers from finished quilts. There's a list somewhere here on the board (not entirely sure where) that has the blocks and triangles divided into easy, moderate, and hard. I'm starting with the easy blocks and working my way up to the hard ones. Whenever I complete a block, I just put a note in pencil next to it in the book.

I bought the whole kit and kaboodle (even the carrying case) a few years ago in a moment of extreme buying weakness
Have never even made a block and probably never will.
A fool and her money ....

Just curious, what did something like that cost,or is that to personnel.

I made about 30 blocks then stopped. I am making a table runner with the ones I finished because my skills have improved and I want to start over. When I pick it up again, I plan on making 6 inch blocks and doing only my faves.

Good luck on your journey and have fun making friends!

Here's a full kit:
http://store.stitchinheaven.com/stor...&Item_ID=18942

Doesn't even include the book, but it does some with instructions (which the book does NOT have). Although, there is so much info available online, you wouldn't be totally lost without information.

Basically, $2.15 a block/triangle.

Doesn't sound so outrageous in those terms. :mrgreen::mrgreen:

[quote=materialgrl]Just curious, what did something like that cost,or is that to personnel.
[quote=gollytwo]A fool and her money ...

Not too personal
But, I don't remember.
I may be a fool but there's no way I spent $400+ on a whim.
If anyone is interested I can list what I've got (after I find where I stashed it).

I started my DJ one year ago June (June 2010) and I've got over 75 blocks done, 5 triangles and one kite.

I'm not doing them in any particular order, just picking one and running with it.

My fabric selection is totally scrappy - I'm aiming to have not one fabric duplicated in my DJ except for the background and sashing fabric. So far, so good.

I do recommend the CD to purchase. I know it's more money, but for the paper piecing and changing of sizes (if you want to) it's totally worth it.

What the heck have I gotten myself into??! With the greatest of confidence I printed off the instructions from the "Dear Jane" site for block A-1 which is 'Pinwheel Gone Awry' - which called for making QST's....I merrily sewed and thought "My soul! This isn't so bad! And look at how cute this tiny little pinwheel is!" I felt quite pleased when I saw all my points matched :)
Then I looked at the photo again. Something wasn't quite right... My tiny little pinwheel was the size my ENTIRE block was supposed to be! I had sewn HALF-Square triangles instead of quarters!

A lesson learned.... never try miniatures without at least one cup of coffee in your system!

Gollytwo... if you still have that CD I'm interested!

That store has lovely things, but it is way overpriced. I'm sure you can get it for less.
[quote=gollytwo][quote=materialgrl]Just curious, what did something like that cost,or is that to personnel.

Thanks,I know at 400.+ that is out of my price range,it is lovely though