Dear jane.......
 

I just rec'd the book from ebay.......have always been curious about it and the price was right....so is there a group here at the board that are "doers" of these blocks? I am not a miniaturist and looking at these intricate patterns is making me wonder why I bought this book.....has anyone enlarged these patterns and then proceeded to make a quilt....I really think that is what I am going to do............just a thought. But I really would like to know of a group of these devotees.

I will be following this!! I was just looking at the very same book today, and was interested in ordering it..Are the directions clearly written? The other book I was looking at was the Civil War sampler book...

after a bit more research on the web, I have found that EQ offers a software for Dear Jane that will make those templates, and offers the option of changing the size of the blocks. I am thinking of buying that, but maybe thru Amazon.com, price seems a bit cheaper there, and then will plan to make those blocks at either 6 or 8", maybe incorporate both and add sashing to the smaller (6") to make the same size as the larger(8")...will order the software first though, as I really cannot see myself making all those templates by hand!!!!!!!!that does not look like something that would soothe my soul!!!!! I will also search for a group to see what they are doing. I also have the Farmer's Wife Sampler book and the FW Pony Club book.......don't ask my why...I think I am getting obsessive/compulsive!!!!

Pat625 asked if there are directions and are they clear. Basically there is a pic of the block with a line drawing of the finished block true size (4") from which one has to draw the templates with either adding the scant 1/4" to the template or cutting out the fabric including that SCANT (there is that word again) 1/4". On several of the pages there are "letters" to Jane from the author as she works on drafting these drawings from the original quilt...interesting but not helpful in the working of the blocks!!!! I was a bit disappointed at the presentation of the blocks--having to make the templates so primitively.........that is why I am going to order the software.......FW and FWPony Club have the dvd included in the book, whereas this book did not.........so now to order the software and see what I can do.....

I am a member of a local BOM group and we are doing a DJ in either the original size or a 9". I think our teacher uses the EQ software for the larger block too. I wonder if you could take the pages in the book to a copy center and have them enlarged? If they were all enlarged using the same copier would it really matter that much in the end if they were an exact size like we're used to? I don't want to make a whole quilt but I want to make window treatment toppers and am using the original size because the 9" would be too big. I've wondered about enlarging the ones from the book but haven't tried it yet. Do you think that would work?

Suzy

Here is the one that is currently going on

http://www.quiltingboard.com/blocks-...n-t175669.html

Lots of help to be found - also use the search button and find more topics :)

If you will do a search on the board for Dear Jane Stickle -- you will find a wonderful group that makes 3 blocks a week. There is a schedule you can print out to follow if you want.

Lots and lots of help, encouragement and pix of pur blocks -- Welcome
Mim

I actually enlarged one on my own copier....used a proportional scale to find out what percentage.....it worked...but then I tried doing on my EQ5...yes, I know it's the "old version" but good enough for what I do with it....did 3 blocks in drawing, then printed one in foundation piecing and 2 in templates...since it is almost dinner now, and unfortunately the cook is off today (ha, ha!), I have to create in the kitchen, so tomorrow I will create in my sewing room--better place to be than in the kitch......btw..I am enlarging to 6"--so far so good, but I may have to re-plan this to a larger size. I just cannot bring myself to do the actual size blocks...to small for me....

yes, I did find the group on board.....loved reading the posts.....have decided to purchase the Dear Jane software and attach it to my eq......but since they have been at this since Jan...I would be way behind, so I will read and do what I can, but I will print out the timetable.........

Geri, there are 2 sites to visit:
www.DearJane.com and that quilt.com

On the board there are postings by "motomom" and by me:
http://www.quiltingboard.com/picture...g-t186603.html I have several.
Just search the board for "Dear Jane"

Its really fun!

The blocks - as drawn in the book - 'finish' to 4.5 inches

I was also disappointed in the presentation of the blocks in the book.

In my opinion - the author could have drawn better representations of some of the blocks.

As far as I know, the software has 'fixed' that. I have an older Mac, so the software would not work on the computer I have, so I didn't buy it.

I think half the fun of the blocks I've made was in trying to figure out how Miss Jane designed and assembled her blocks.

There are MANY threads - and blogs - about the Dear Jane (or Jane A Stickle) quillt.

I bought the book and found it very disappointing. Horrible instructions. I gave the book away and started making the blocks by importing and tracing them to EQ7. It works so much better. Any close up picture of the quilt blocks will work to trace and draft.

I have the software and it works well except the instructions are complicated because it wanders all over the place and the blocks instructions are clear at the far end of the booklet.
The software is complicated and when I finally figured it out I stopped making the blocks for awhile. Now its like starting all over and I forgot what Im susposed to do. You have to refer to the booklet for instructions since the software doesnt walk you thru it in detail.

I started my dear jane sept 04. I work on it now and then. I am on my second to last row and then I have to do the borders. I started working on this when I had only been quilting for about 6 months. I also thought what did I get my selve into. But now that it is almost done I love it and can't wait to finish it.
I have blown up some of the blocks and used them in other projects.
Good luck, It will be worth it.

cheryl

On the Dear Jane site, there are instruction for all of the blocks. Brenda has put the simplest (in her opinion) way to make the blocks. It is fun to try to figure how Jane made the blocks. I have one question--do I need the rulers? I have been tempted, but so far haven't gotten them. I have made 40-50 blocks, and then put it away. I am thinking of getting back to it this summer.
Sue

I think the rulers were worth the money - They came as a set of two and I got them from a site on e-bay that was comparatively reasonable.

I found that I had to 'concentrate' when I was using the 5 inch square. I bought the set mostly for the triangle ruler.

So far, I haven't seen (or looked for) a template for the scallops on the outside border.

I was experimenting with folding paper to create designs and patterns. I think that may be how Jane created some of her designs.

I also have a monolog about it on my PDA - starting at #18 on page 2 (I think) - goes to maybe page 50 - lots of illustrations

http://www.quiltingboard.com/persona...-t23019-2.html

I think sandpat and lacelady - among many - also have a lot on the Jane A. Stickle quilt. (Dear Jane)

I just started my Dear JAne this week. I was going to do it with the group on here but never got started with them. I have 4 blocks finished. I am going to join the group on here where they are and try to work with them . I printed out the schedule. I am going to start at the beginning and do those blocks as I have time. I know I will never catch up them since I am 6 months behind. Good luck.

Try "That Quilt.com" Wonderful site and VERY informative. Sorry 4 yelling .