I have gotten so many e mails and comments on my quilt – I have tried to answer them all but I feel I most likely have missed some. Thanks to all of you for the comments. It is very encouraging to quilters to hear praise from other quilters – especially when I know some of you do this as a job and are quilt instructors and designers. Making the entire Dear Jane by hand takes a lot of time and patience so if you are making one just remember Jane Stickle did not make her quilt in a hurry – she took the entire Civil War period to make it — hang in there and one day you will have a finished quilt. Jane’s quilt was not perfect – she has plenty of crooked pieces and so do I – not all my points meet and neither did hers 
but as we all say – “it is finished” and that is what counts the most LOL. I did not aim for perfection – I wanted the challenge and boy did I get it!
this corner piece had the most pieces in it - 74 total.
this is the corner piece that Jane Stickle on her original quilt signed and indicated how many pieces were in the total quilt. I will be making a label for the back of my quilt over the next week or so and get my label on the back like I normally do.
These pictures show the quilting a little bit better then the photo from yesterday. These photos also show how the batting shrinks up when you use 100% cotton batting. By washing and drying a quilt in the dryer using cotton batting your quilt will take on the appearance of a antique quilt. I very much wanted that look for this quilt although it is the same batting I use for almost all of my quilts – I just love the “old” look that it gives.
November 15th, 2009 at 10:00 pm
Your quilt is spectacular! Thank you so much for sharing your journey.
November 15th, 2009 at 10:59 pm
Oh Karen, It’s just beautiful. I love that you used the 100% cotton batting. The shrinkage sets off you hand stitches beautifully.
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November 15th, 2009 at 11:31 pm
These pictures show the variegated thread too. It looks so nice since it has been washed.
Wanda´s last blog ..A terrific birthday thanks to my readers
November 16th, 2009 at 4:45 am
I love the crinkly look too. It’s such a beauty Karen :0)
Crispy
November 16th, 2009 at 7:04 am
Thank you for the close ups on the quilting. It is really beautiful! I love that antique look.
Jackie´s last blog ..It’s Official!!
November 16th, 2009 at 7:25 am
thanks all, I always find it hard to get a close up photo to turn out well, it is usually a little out of focus.
November 16th, 2009 at 8:11 am
I am also working on my ‘Dear Jane’ and have around 20 blocks completed. I was playing around on the weekend with the novel I am writing and got wondering what different blocks Jane would have pieced had she been Australian? would she have added more stars to the upper right corner to represent the Southern Cross constellation? Since I want to maintain the integrity of Jane quilt, I am not changing my blocks, but am trying to decide which of her blocks best represents this constellation. I am considering A-4 or H-7?
Any thoughts on this? I’d love your opinion.
thanks
Heather´s last blog ..Dear Jane and Australia
November 16th, 2009 at 8:22 am
Heather I had look up the Southern Cross Constellation to see what it looks like, I didn’t know off hand. I will look it over and send you an email.
November 16th, 2009 at 10:30 am
Congratulations, wow your DJ is a beauty. I just started my journey with DJ and you really gave me inspiration, thank you for sharing.
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November 16th, 2009 at 2:28 pm
Congratulations! Beautiful! I just finished putting the center 169 blocks together last night of DJ. I paper pieced the majority, machine-piecing and hand appliqued. I started in March of this year. I can’t even imagine hand-piecing the entire quilt. My hat’s off to you. I am going to finish some UFOs and then start the triangle blocks after the first of the year. I can definitely say my sewing skills have improved. Congratulations again. What brand of batting did you use?
Heidi
November 16th, 2009 at 4:45 pm
I use 100% cotton batting by Quilters Dream, request loft (that’s the thin stuff good for hand quilting)
November 17th, 2009 at 2:51 am
Karen your quilt is incredible!! i read your advise and I feel so much better that my itty pieces are waiting for me in a box…I think it will take me just as long as I am also hand piecing my precious jewel as well..
I love your hand quilting and I never wash my fabric so that I can get all the crinkle look as much as possible.
Thanks for your wonderful advise I am sure you have made many of us feel much better..LOL
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November 17th, 2009 at 7:40 am
Congratulations on finishing your Dear Jane quilt. Or should I say Insanity quilt? Beautiful job, well done.
Karen´s last blog ..Christmas Table Runner…
November 17th, 2009 at 9:30 am
Wonderful! This quilt is absolutely gorgeous…I love how the quilt has crinkled up and how the quilting creates the perfect “background” for the wonderful pieced blocks! Your philosophy totally speaks to me!
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November 18th, 2009 at 5:48 am
Really love the “up-close” pictures of the quilting. You are very talented Karen!
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November 18th, 2009 at 10:19 pm
Every time I visit your site I am so inspired. Your quilts are a true labor of love, and showcase your talent. Keep up the great work, and the inspiration to others. Thank you!
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