WIP Wednesday: In search of my quilting mojo, part 2 and Return of the hexagon baby blanket
(Apologies to my subscribers who received a draft of this post on Monday by accident!)
For more WIP Wednesday posts, visit Tami’s Amis for crochet and knitting and Freshly Pieced for quilting.
Two weeks ago, I mentioned that I was taking some classes at my LQS, the City Quilter, in an effort to find my long lost quilting mojo.
Last Friday, my friend JS and I headed back for our third Dear Jane class. (For those unfamiliar with the Dear Jane phenomenon, Brenda Papadakis was a math teacher/quilter who became fascinated with the 1863 quilt made by Jane A. Stickle. She began teaching the blocks, which were not “traditional quilt blocks.” Eventually, she wrote a book with her letters to Jane – hence the name, Dear Jane – with her version of templates for each of the 225 unique 4-1/2″ blocks. Now there are tons of Dear Jane blogs and even devotees who call themselves Janiacs. And people say Star Wars fans are weird…)
We brought our trusty DJ books to class, along with various other supplies.
Friday’s lesson was on foundation piecing. This is a technique I was always interested in, but for some reason never got around to learning.
I must admit, I came to class a little grumpy. I had made no blocks since the last class and was not too hopeful that I would leave with even one block completed. The block we were working on in class was C-1, Trooper Green’s Badge.
Top view, photographed by my dear MC.
I was pleasantly surprised by the outcome. (My Dear Jane blocks for this class are being made using batiks.) I accidentally cut one of the outer strips too short, so I had to do a repair job.
You can see the repair more clearly in this picture, if you look at the bottom strip. (Photo by MC.)
I almost had time to make another block, but my machine at the store went bonkers (perhaps trying to get me out before closing time). I’m looking forward to getting at least one other Dear Jane block done 
using foundation piecing.
According to our teacher, Carol Doak is really the person to read if you are interested in learning to foundation piece. Bonnie Hunter, whose Quiltville website was a weekly stop on my to do list when I was quilting regularly, has a Foundation Piecing tips page for Dear Jane blocks, if you are interested in giving it a try yourself.
Now on to my crocheting. It has been over a month since I last posted about the hexagon baby blanket I’m making for a friend’s first child. I just picked it up again yesterday and have made a little bit of progress. Even though it is a join-as-you-go project, I decided to work the hexagons in batches up until the last row because it is too darn hot in NYC right now to be carrying around even a partial baby blanket on my commute.
Here's the view from the top.
I’m a bit disappointed to say that I’ve only finished 9 blocks so far, but I don’t expect that anyone is missing out on a blanket in D.C. this summer.
I took these pictures in a local school yard while rushing to get cat food after work. People around here must think I'm bonkers.
Not too shabby for a week’s work!
Your quilt block is an achievement you need to be pleased with yourself.
Your crochet hexagons can’t wait to be joined, and any baby will love a blanket no matter what time of year it is.
Love that quilt block, great fabrics
@ RugbyMad: Thanks! It is literally the first block I’ve finished in close to 3 years! If I actually finish the blanket soon, I will send it off. But I think if it is delayed until the fall, no one will be missing it lol.
@ Nat: Thanks! They are mostly from a swap I did years ago of 4″ batik squares and then from some fat quarters I had around.
I love the fabrics you’re using on your Jane!! I’m going to start one in August as a store=based BOM that will be spread over 2 years. I think I can handle it that way.
The crocheted hexie afghan project is really neat. I haven’t crocheted anything for years. In fact – I just remembered a crochet UFO sitting in my closet somewhere. . . (It’s just so much hotter to work on than quilting – maybe if we move to Colorado next summer I’ll pull it back out)
I really like the colours you’ve chosen for your hexagons – very sunny and fresh!
I’m not a quilter but I can see why people would be fascinated by that book. I like your batik square, and the colors for your baby blanket!
@ Lynette: I don’t think I’ll ever complete a full sized Dear Jane, but I like the idea of a BOM. Thanks for your compliments on my hexagon project and fabrics
.
@ Minding My Own Stitches: Thanks! The colors are based on the nursery colors I saw in the baby registry.
@ Affiknitty: Thanks for your kind words!
Every time I read about your quilting adventures it makes me want to give it a go. But then a I read your entire post it sounds so gosh darn involved that I don’t think I’ll have enough time to do it as well as my knitting!
I hardly pay any attention to my weaving and it would be a shame to buy a whole set of supplies and have them lying around. I’ll have to live vicariously through your endeavours.
All that to say. Keep at it and good job on the square. It still looks nice, repair and all.
Thanks Asha! I am not one to expect my projects to turn out perfectly (and thank goodness, or I’d be mighty depressed!). I would probably recommend waiting on picking up quilting unless you already have a sewing machine!
The quilt squares are beautiful! I admit people who quilt. My mother in law used to, and she has amazing pieces all throughout her house.
Oh, and people think I’m crazy about my neighborhood, too. I have yarn hanging to dry everywhere! LOL
Tami, at least I didn’t take the pictures in the school yard right down my block. I went over a few blocks so they wouldn’t know me
. Thanks for your kind words about my Dear Jane block.
I agree, those colours are totally fresh. I may be stealing that combination in the future. And boy, do I feel silly for never using the school benches to take pictures on- I’ve been trying to squeeze things onto tv trays!! Thanks for the inspiration:)
Ooh, that’s awesome that you’re working on the Dear Jane blocks! I recently saw a rainbow version and thought it was gorgeous, but knew I wouldn’t have the patience to make 200+ of those intricate blocks.
@ Claire: I was using the stoops of brownstones before, but occassionally the owners would give me dirty looks. I figured that there is no one in the school yard at summer, so why not try the benches
.
@ Alli: I don’t have that patience either, but I think it is possible that I might make four
.