Patterns for the quilts are included.
This is always a great calendar. But, be warned - they do run out fast. Trust me, come January, you will have a hard time finding it anywhere since it's not like a book, only so many are printed up. So it's a good idea to get one now while they're hot and in stock. Check your local shop or see Martingale's website to buy one.
I'm working on a version of the nine-patch quilt on the cover. After I spotted this quilt in the book Preserving History, which was published a couple of years ago, I couldn't get it out of my mind. But the nine-patch blocks in that book were very, very tiny, which made me a little uneasy. So, I started making some little 3" x 3" blocks last year, which were much more manageable. For me, at least.
Just lots of simple nine patches made from scraps. I challenged myself to make a few every day or at least 10 a week, in between everything else. No pressure. I loved the quilt so much I knew that once I started I would eventually finish. I set the blocks aside for awhile and then decided to pick them up again in the spring. Started making 10 a day, which wasn't too bad because they went pretty fast. Pretty soon they added up.
When I finished making a few hundred blocks, I sorted through some of my favorite shirting prints (Okay, yes, I bought some new shirtings too), cut 3 1/2" squares and paired them with the blocks.
This is what I've done so far. I know, I know, it's going to take me forever, but I love it already. Little at a time . . . .
As I mentioned, the quilt is a version of The Birthday Quilt by Julie Hendricksen, in her book Preserving History. (And, yes, the pattern is also in the calendar.) I made my blocks 3" x 3" instead of the smaller ones in the original pattern. Good move, let me tell you. That quilt is beautiful but I never would have gotten this far if I had to make over 1,000 teeny tiny blocks. It's been fun and I hope to get it finished before MY birthday, as a gift to myself. Then maybe after that I'll get back to working on putting the rest of my Dear Jane together. Sigh, so little time to make everything. More on that next week.
First quadrant, left side. (I'm putting my finished blocks together in quadrants, instead of rows.)
Julie has a similar free pattern on the Windham sight that I made several years ago. It's one of my favorites quilts. The blocks finished at 4.5" and seeing your little block is making me this I need to a quilt with smaller blocks--so cute! I think putting the Dear Jane blocks together in quadrants rather than rows is brilliant. I hope I remember that if ever get around to starting my blocks--lol!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea to do a few blocks every day/week! Thanks Kathleen! You’ll finish in no time 😊
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on getting your beautiful little quilt in the 2019 calendar! All your little 9-patches look perfect; will be watching for when you get them all together. I cannot even imagine piecing the Dear Jane pattern. Yours look awesome so far. ---"Love"
ReplyDeleteI love the simple nine patch and made more than my share of them and always have more in the works - the shirting's that you have are familiar I think I have some of the same prints.
ReplyDeletequestion, are you using bleached muslin or Kona Cotton for the 9-patches white part? I'm in love with that quilt too!
ReplyDeletedrove up to Keepsake Cottage Quilting just south of Bothell, WA and got the calendar yesterday, YEA! Am drooling over the quilts even as I "speak" here!
ReplyDeleteJean - I am using ecology cloth for the backgrounds. It's a slightly heavier type of muslin.
ReplyDeleteI love your little cabinet for the sewing machine. Will be looking for that calender also. Thanks for the heads up. Kay H. enail 44katydid@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI have not heard of this ecology cloth. Quilt shop or some other source for this fabric? Meant to say "just NORTH of Bothell". Have been drooling over the quilts in it since.
ReplyDeleteJean - Someone introduced me to ecology cloth and I found it online at several places. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteJust a few questions.... Do you pre-cut anything before you start a mini quilt? As I am cutting for multiple quilts, thinking about cutting some of the extra shirtings into bins of 1.5 inch stripes, 2 inch strips and 2.5 inch strips. i buy ALOT of FQs, so have plenty to be able to have some of it precut into these strips. Any thoughts on it?
ReplyDeleteVicki Lewis, I personally precut many parts for various quilts when I have the fabric out. I'm currently in an 1800's reprint mode, and have many quilts in process that use these. I just want a little for each, so cut the pieces and put them with the respective projects. If I were to just cut the fabrics without putting them with their planned project they would get lost, or forgotten what they were cut for... Once the cuts are made and put with the projects, then I can fold the "leftover" piece of fabric and get it into the bins. Sure saves me having to go digging when I need to work on a different project.
ReplyDeleteLove the idea of setting Dear Jane together in Quadrants! I think you would definitely feel like progress is being made! I have about 500 3 1/2" nine patches to make into an awesome quilt, I plan on setting them together with 3 1/2" squares as well. I was planning on straight rows, but I really like your diagonal setting better! Thanks for all the quilty inspiration!
ReplyDeleteThis is really beautiful designs of quilt. Your blog always inspires me to try new things with DIY.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
embroidery patches iron on
jackets back patches
WOW! 2019 That Patchwork Place is beautiful!
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