Prepping to Explore Dear Jane
 

I am getting my stuff together to start a Dear Jane quilt. Originally started one years ago, then moved a number of times and can not locate what I started. Got a new book and the software, got a few FQs in my chosen colors (blues & yellows) and a few yards to get me started in my selected background color (various WoW).

My question is - I plan on PP as many of the blocks as I can. If I were to cut my FQs into strips to make them more manageable (portable as I often am taking my sewing with me on weekends), what would be the best size strips to cut?

Not posting in the Dear Jane BoM BoW thread as I am not participating in that group.
TIA
Teresa

Am I confused?
I thought DJ was primarily applique?
How many are PP'able?

a large chunk of them can be PP or traditional pieced.

I didn't paper piece any of mine. But at the time I hadn't done any paper piecing. But it makes a lot of sense to do some that way if you can. Many do have applique on them but many are just pieced if memory serves me right. I did my twin size DJ about 8 yrs. ago.

Some sites to help you along your DJ journey. :)

http://dearjane.com/blocktipsag.htm
http://thatquilt.blogspot.com/2009/11/j-9.html
http://auntreensquilts.blogspot.com/

And or course the authors website: http://www.dearjane.com/

I would not suggest strips as it would waste a lot of fabric. I would cut fat quarters to take. The blocks are only 4.5 and require very little pieces which you can cut when needed from the fats.

If you go to the authors site, she tells you the easiest way to make each block. I have been sorting through the blocks and make the ones that look easiest. I have a long way to go, but do have about 90 blocks done.
Sue

I have been pouring through all the helpful sites and am pretty comfortable in the way to make the blocks (past experience tells me that PP is going to be the best for the blocks that I can do that way), but was looking for an easy way to "pre-cut" my fabric as my overall time is limited. I had even thought about getting some 5-inch charm packs to use but it is hard finding all blue or all yellow charm packs that are not solids, (at least where I have been looking). I know I will be getting several blocks from each of the FQ I use, and I am ok with that (I don't want a gazillion different fabrics for this quilt)

Even though the blocks are small (5 inch unfinished) - some of them take a surprising amount of fabric.

Reason I know: I have a lot of 6-inch blue squares - some of them were not large enough to provided enough fabric for some of the blocks.

Why not buy a small cutting board, short ruler and little rotary cutter to take with you on weekends. Nothing like being away and not having the tools you need to sew.