Dear Jane Quilt Questions
 

is there a set size to do the blocks? Is 6" the normal size? can the blocks be done at 4" and still be workable?
I'm asking because I'm thinking about making a block a day for the next year and then making a quilt out of them. I was wandering mostly if doing all the blocks 4" would make them to hard to do. The reason for 4" is the size of the quilt with all 360 blocks is going to be huge!

SO what do you think?

I think you could do them any size you want to do them. I started some, the size in the book, which I don't remember right now, & I may not do all of them, as I don't need one big huge quilt, lol. Your quilt, do it your way, & don't worry about it! Do what makes you happy, that's why we quilt, right!...Enjoy the journey!...

If I'm not mistaken, DJ blocks are 4" finished.

I guess I need to correct myself here. I'm calling it a Dear Jane because it will be lots of small blocks not necessarily the original Dear Jane ones. I'm just going to pick through all the many books that I have and grab blocks that I think look good and make up each block. I'm going to try and not do any two the same design. I'm sure with all the designs out there I should be able to do that.

here is a link to the current DJ sew along. the first post shows that the DJ finished blocks are 4.5"
you are certainly welcome to join us

The finished block size is 4 1/2"... but end up being 4" square once sewn into a quilt. :)

To clarify ...
unfinished size is 4-1/2" (size once assembled and before sewing into the quilt)
finished size is 4" (size once sewin in place in the quilt)

If you're going to create your own sampler design ... then make them whatever size you wish!

I didn't know there was a Dear Jane sew along, I may have to check that out to get some ideas on what I'm trying to do.
Thanks everyone for all your help with this as I have never made such small blocks before and wasn't sure it could be done without a big struggle. I have a 55 gal trash can full of small scraps that I want to use up doing this. I just hope it puts a dent in it.

I bought the software and you can resize bigger.
The software is not user friendly and have only made a few blocks then moved on to other things.
I also changed the method of making some of the blocks as they are not the easy way to make them.
Will get back to it someday.

The blocks are intended to be 4 1/2" when finished - so 5" before assembly. Many people have made them different sizes which is a good idea for those that only want to make a few! The quilt is supposedly 84" square. If you "google" Dear Jane quilt you will see many examples of it done with fewer blocks. Have fun with it! I'm loving doing mine - about one per day as you plan to do.

Actually 4 1/2", Sue!

I took at "Dear Jane" class making 4.5 inch unfinished blocks - some lessons I learned was that you can do what ever you want - hand sew, machine sew, reverse applique, applique etc - the thing with such a small block is that the pieces are so small it is hard to handle them - that was very frustrating to me. Jane's blocks are very modern and outstanding that is why she has such a fan club worldwide. Did I finish my "dear Jane' blocks - no I have about 50 done and that will be it for me --wall hanging?

In the Brenda Papadakis book the patterns (finished) are 4 1/2" finished - 5" before assembly. They are small enough at that!

Try looking at some blogs such as ThatQuilt. She has very good tutes for all of the blocks!

The blocks as drawn in the Dear Jane book finish at 4.5 inches. Note: The author states that the blocks are drawn 'in the manner of . . . ' The DJ author took some liberties - or didn't look closely - at some of the blocks when she put those blocks in the book.

From what I understand, the Dear Jane software can draw/make templates for several sizes - I don't own the software (wasn't Mac compatible) - so I don't know that much about it. It appears that some changes were made in some of the blocks when the software was created.

The blocks in the original quilt made by Jane A. Stickles varied in size.

I don't think I will try to imitate her quilt so much. I'm thinking of choosing my blocks randomly and making a quilt with them so I wouldn't even consider using the software for making them because then it would just look like someone else s design.

Mostly I like the concept of doing the blocks and also using up all the little scraps at the same time.

I've wondered if Miss Jane might have acquired some of those blocks in swaps or made them over a long period of time.

The workmanship does seem to be inconsistent.

Or perhaps like many of us??? .........
... her skills and abilities developed overtime and this became somewhat of a story of her progress

If you're looking for small block patterns ....
http://www.quiltingboard.com/links-r...s-t201762.html

There was a correction noted in the thread that the block sizes are 4-1/2" finished

I have the software from EQ for the DJ blocks as I did not want to make them as small as originals....I have readjusted to 6"---and have also sort of redesigned some of them - at least the ones I have completed. It is definitely not an easy project no matter how you do it....hand or machine and I will probably never finish this one....it will end up being packed away as a UFO.........but it is/was a challenge for me.