I have just finished my Dear Jane quilt, begun on 1st Jan this year, with all the other Block of the Month Dear Janers. These little blocks (41/2in finished) really took me over, and I couldn't stop making them, so I ran ahead of the schedule and just kept going.

Some statistics: a total of 225 blocks and triangles, all machine pieced, and where the pattern called for it, I hand appliqued them. It is all hand quilted, and measures about 86in square.

I made it in 6 months, 22 days and called it Jane Past and Present because it is a very old design (the original was made in 1863), but I made it will all batiks, set in Kona natural cotton as a background, with a trip round the world format

It took over 5,500 pieces to make it (I had to revise my corner block to reflect the fact that I hadn't counted the sashing and scallops in my total). Some of the blocks only needed a handful of pieces, some needed over 40.

Respect!
That is some job- well done- it is very cohesive for such a varied design.

Absolutely amazing! And in that short time! Wow!
I really like the Dear Jane quilt, maybe I´ll try it too one day.

WOW! Congratulations are in order for this beautiful quilt. It is so inspiring to see and hear about your special quilt.

That is STUNNING! And it's also amazing that you made it so quickly! It would take me eons! :)

Wow-what an eye opener this early in the morning. That is truly beautiful; your work and fabric choices are fantastic. Pat yourself on the back-you deserve it!!

Absolutely beautiful...Stellar quilt
You did a fabulous job!
Peace and Blessings,

That is absolutely stunning. What a feat, you must be so proud of yourself and rightfully so!

That is gorgeous. I have a friend who is doing the dear jane quilt and has been working on it for years.

Sybil

Well done, thats a quilt to be very proud of. I think it's beautiful I would never have the patience.

Love the color you chose. It really makes the blocks pop.

Gulp. I bow to you.... :D

Wow! That is gorgeous, of course, but I cannot believe your speed. You've handquilted it, too? Beautiful! Congratulations!

Congratulations, you did an awesome job!

*Giving you a standing ovation here in front of my computer*

WELLLLLL DONE!!!!!!

I could definately live with that! IF?, WHEN? (ROFLMAO) I ever get around to making one (choking now with laughter) ... I'd aim for this type of color layout. Serious now - I LOVE it!

Outstanding! So beautiful! and all the detail is so wonderful. You are amazing. I hope you can sleep well now.

WOW WOW WOW!!! Lesley you did an amazing, stunning, superb job on this quilt!! I LOVE the end result-an heirloom for sure.
Stand up and take a bow because that is truly an amazing accomplishment and flows so beautifully!
Hugs
April

Sooo beautiful, Lesley! We're proud of you!!

I see you added cornerstones, too....whew! That little extra bit of color really pulls all the blocks together. And I especially like the plain white triangles on the border....they really set off the pieced ones.

Congratulations again on a great job! Karen

It's absolutely gorgeous! Fabulous job hand quilting! I love batiks and how bright and cheery they are in your quilt.

Lovely, just lovely!

Job VERY WELL done!! This is spectacular. I do hope you will enter it in a show.

Wow! You did a great job!

Totally awesome! Your color palette is extremely well done and I am so awed by the amount of work that you must have put into this quilt.

That is just a work of art...beautiful.

You have my quilty admiration. That is spectacular and I love your label corner block.

What a beautiful quilt!

at a loss for the right words!!

AMAZING

wow.. a work of art. Congratulations on such an accomplishment..absolutly beautiful!

Superb in every way!

Less than 7 months and hand quilted??? Wow! Did you stop to eat or sleep?

It is awesome.

Took the words right out of my mouth. I take it that every square is different, right? Looks like fun!

wowowowowowwowowowwowowow,,, that took some patience!!!! and it looks so wow,, i do not have a word that is adequate for such a wonderful peice!!!!

I am absolutely speechless. No more to be said.

Thank you, thank you, you have all been so kind with your comments. Yes, I did stop to eat and sleep, but didn't to a great deal else. Most other things in my life seemed to go on hold for a bit. At the beginning, it was very cold here, the worst winter for 50 years, so there was absolutely no incentive to go out at all, and getting on with sewing seemed a good thing to do. Lately when the weather has been so much better, it was a bit hard to carry on, but by that time, I wanted it done and dusted so that I could get on with other things, without this hanging over my head.

Someone mentioned the plain triangles. This is the design I used. I took two different elements from celtic designs dating from 375bc, cut out a template of them, and drew round each one to quilt them. They do have two little triangular cut outs, but my craft knife blade broke trying to get the second one cut, so I just turned the template over to draw it in.

WOW, WOW AND WOW!! APPLAUSE, APPLAUSE!!

Totally 100% Awesome, amazing, magnificent, famtasitc, and just absolutely brethtaking. :shock: Did you think I might have been blow away by your quilt. :wink:

All I can say is ~WOW~ you did a wonderful job...

Fantastic :thumbup:

Stunning an amazing job. I would never have had he patience to do it. Love it

Very, very, very low!!!!! :shock: :shock: :shock: :P :P :P