Amy’s Creative Side is having another Quilt Festival she is asking people to enter a quilt and she has all kinds of sponsors giving away prizes.
The quilt that really took a lot of work in it for me and that I am proud of accomplishing is my first Dear Jane quilt. Some of you know all about my Dear Jane that I named “Insanity” as I felt I must have been insane to start that quilt. Throughout my blog I have talked about it numerous times. (click on photos to enlarge)
My completed Dear Jane "Insanity"
I started this quilt on my daughter Melanie’s birthday February 23, 2005 so it is only fitting that this quilt is going to her. I hand pieced the whole quilt and hand quilted it. I finished quilting it November 13, 2009 It took me 4 years and 9 months to complete it. Of course I took quite a few breaks and made other quilts during this time. I had to take breaks or I would have truly gone insane! LOL Anyone who is making this quilt knows what I mean.
This quilt has 4,928 pieces in it. It is a charm quilt in that each block uses a different fabric. It took me 645 hours and 30 minutes to make it. Yes I kept a journal as many of us Janiacs do.
My daughter and I with THE QUILT
It resided on my bed for about 5 months and now at the end of this month after finally putting a label and a hanging sleeve on it I will be giving it to my daughter at the end of the month when I see her. She will be hanging it on a wall so her dog will not do any damage to it.
One of the main things I learned about quilting and through this quilt is that Kona Cotton does not work really well with hand piecing small pieces. I never plan to use it again for a quilt like this although I dearly love that fabric — just not with a quilt like this – it has a little stretch to it and also had a problem with raveling edges.
When I finished this quilt I had no intention on ever making another like it but after only 3 weeks I went into withdrawal from my addiction to Dear Jane and started a second one! I am calling this one “Insanity Revisited” as I really and truly must be insane to start a second one. This one is in red and butter cream batiks. It will go to my other daughter one day. I have been hand piecing it also and I am almost done with all the squares and will soon be moving on to the triangle border.
The second quilt looks like this so far:
Sometime down the road if Amy has another festival and I am finished with the top I will feature this one. 11 of the 13 needed rows of blocks is done.
{ 30 comments }
I am truly impressed. I have never thought about making a Dear Jane, let alone two… and the idea that you are giving the first one away is amazing. I get so attached to what I quilt. Thanks for sharing!
.-= Jean Etheridge´s last blog .. =-.
Amazing! I love DJ Quilts and this is no exception.
.-= Rita – Red Pepper Quilts´s last blog ..Sunday Stash #52 =-.
Wow! I’m so impressed! Your daughters are very lucky to have such an amazing quilter as a mother. These will be treasured heirlooms for sure!
.-= Molly´s last blog ..Blogger’s Quilt Festival =-.
I can’t decide which one I like the best. I do know I love the scalloped edges on the completed one. I’m going to have to find out how you did that.
.-= Vivian´s last blog ..Quilt Festival On-line =-.
fabulous, fabulous a lifetime achievement
I love Dear Jane Quilts and yours is a fabulous example – congratulations on finishing it. The second one will be stunning also – will look forward to seeing it complete.
.-= Karen´s last blog ..Blogger’s Quilt Festival =-.
I LOVE dear Jane quilts and the colours you used in yours really make it look fresh and funky – your lucky lucky daughter!
.-= Lynne´s last blog ..Advice needed =-.
Gorgeous! The colors are so wonderful…so sweet and light! Truly a wonderful, wonderful quilt!
.-= Miri´s last blog .. =-.
That’s quite a treasure you’ve passed onto your daughter, she is very lucky! While I “can” imagine the work that went into that, I “can’t” imagine ever tackling one, I’m just going to admire yours! It’s absolutely stunning!
.-= CJ´s last blog ..Playing with EQ7 =-.
Wow you are amazing!! Your quilts are absolutely gorgeous and I can appreciate all the loving stitches that went into them. I like Kona too but have noticed a little raveling on the edges, have you tried the Bella solids,I have not ,just wondering how they may compare?? Thanks for visiting me and leaving a sweet comment!
Have a happy weekend,
Shawn
I think you’ll have your second DJ finished before I finally get my first one done! Lovely work — those are amazing!
.-= Anya´s last blog ..Do The Wave =-.
Gorgeous, Karen! I’m very impressed by all the hand sewing you do, I’m not sure I have enough patience for it, but – I should give it a try before I say so – lol.
.-= Astrid´s last blog ..Blogger’s Quilt Festival 2010 =-.
great to see those two again. I started following you when you were getting near the end of the hand quilting.
.-= Heather´s last blog ..Blogger’s Quilt Festival Spring 2010 =-.
Karen, you know how much I admire both quilts, but it bears saying again. Superb job!!!!
.-= Mary L´s last blog ..Donna Skvarla–100 Years of American Quilts =-.
Wow, and double Insane wow! This is a dedication of craftswomahship, time, fabric and love that will extend for many generations! Just amazing. Thank you for sharing your quilt’s story
.-= AnnieO´s last blog ..Blogger’s Quilt Festival =-.
I am truly impressed with your level of committement on your ‘Dear Jane’ quilts. The end result is stunning. Sounds like you have aa bit of a ‘Dear Jane’ addiction happening though:)
.-= Catherine´s last blog ..Caitlin’s baby quilt! =-.
This is amazing. On so many levels. It makes me want to start my own, so I guess insanity is catching!
.-= Erin´s last blog ..Blogger’s Quilt Festival, Spring 2010 Edition! =-.
Let me congratulate you, beautiful Quilt. I hope someday I can finish mine
.-= marie saborio´s last blog ..Blogger’s Quilt Festival Lorenzo’s Quilt =-.
I completely understand the break part. I am on one at the moment, although this festival is making me want to complete my dear jane quilt!
Nice Jane quilt. Love the colors.
.-= Beth´s last blog ..Blogger’s Quilt Festival =-.
I’m SO impressed by your Jane tenacity. Love both of them. Hopefully I’ll have one to post next year…
.-= anina´s last blog ..Pinwheel Party Week 13! =-.
Oh gosh, that quilt is just stunning! Just stunning!
.-= Aunt Spicy´s last blog ..Beehive Bazaar =-.
What an amazing quilt, thank you so much for sharing. I can see the insanity side of it, but the finished product is so worth it!
.-= Jill´s last blog ..Mermaid Sets =-.
Amazing! Excellent work.
Blogs like this just push me ever closer to considering making a Dear Jane. I can’t wait to see your new one!
.-= Marjorie´s last blog ..Blogger’s Quilt Festival – Coral Reef Quilt =-.
Lovely. Absolutely lovely. You did a fantastic job.
SewCalGal
http://www.sewcalgal.blogspot.com
.-= SewCalGal´s last blog ..Last Call for Winner to Claim a Prize =-.
Karen, Your Dear Jane quilts are fabulous! These quilts will be cherished for generations. You do exceptionally beautiful work.
.-= Kathy´s last blog ..May Garden =-.
Wow, – I admire everyone who actually finishes one of these quilts, – and you have soon made two. Truly impressive!
.-= Eldrid´s last blog ..Nature’s Pearls =-.
O my; you ARE insane–and you’re making a second one just like it! Just kidding; that quilt is stunning.
.-= Laurel H.´s last blog ..Spring to Finish 2010: In brief =-.
What a stunning quilt. Your daughter will have a real treasure. I love seeing how different it looks with your choice of fabrics for the second Dear Jane.
.-= Anne´s last blog ..Map Quilt Blocks and Mail =-.
Comments on this entry are closed.