E-13

It was so cold and dreary yesterday it never got light enough for me to take photos.
No foundation piecing today.
I reverse appliqued the small triangles because it looks like that's what Jane may have done.

Out of background fabric, cut:
2 squares 1 1/4" x 1 1/4"
1 square 1 5/8" x 1 5/8"
2 strips 7/8" x 2 3/4"
2 strips 7/8" x 2"

Out of main block fabric, cut:
1 square 1 5/8" x 1 5/8"
2 squares 2 3/8" x 2 3/8"

Draw a diagonal line corner to corner on the wrong side of the 1 5/8" x 1 5/8" background fabric square.

Place the background fabric square right sides together with the matching main fabric square and stitch 1/4" from the drawn line on both sides.
Cut on the line and press the two half square triangles open.

Referring to the block diagram assemble the center block section by sewing the four small squares together.

Sew a 7/8" x 2" strip to two opposing sides of the square.
Sew a 7/8" x 2 3/4" strip to the top and bottom of the square.
Cut the 2 3/8" x 2 3/8" main fabric squares in half on the diagonal.

Sew the main fabric triangles to the center block section.
Sew two opposing triangles first and then the remaining two.

Trim the block section to 3 5/8" x 3 5/8" square.
Print or trace the block diagram onto the dull side of freezer paper and cut out the four outside triangles as in the photo below.
Iron each triangle to the right side of background fabric and cut out, leaving 1/4" seam allowance.
Cut the triangular notch out of each section, leaving a small seam allowance.

Cut four matching triangles out of main block fabric and lay them right side up on the table.  Place the background fabric triangles (with the freezer paper) right side up on top of them.
Baste through all layers far enough from the edge of the small notched triangle for the seam allowances to be  turned under when you applique.

Turning the background fabric seam allowance under, reverse applique each small triangle.  Trim away the excess main block fabric.

Retrim the seam allowances to 1/4" if need be.
Sew the triangles to the main block section.
Sew an opposing pair first and then the other two triangles.

RS-7

I used this block to practice the applique methods I learned in Houston.

I'm not sure it was worthwhile. I'm not happy with the result and it took three hours!
Anyhow...

Print or trace the block diagram onto foundation paper, cut out the bottom section, and number as in the photo.

Foundation piece the bottom block section. Trim seam allowances to 1/4".

Applique the heartshapes using your preferred method and cut out the top section.

Here's what I did:

Cut a piece of background fabric at least 1/2" larger on all sides than the top block section and, using a light table or window, trace the applique shapes onto the right side of the fabric.

My "new" applique method uses a regular mechanical pencil for marking, but I normally use a disappearing marker. I also used templates for tracing the hearts as well as the actual applique pieces this time.
I did needle turn applique with no freezer paper or any other stabilizer in the applique pieces.

Whichever method you choose, you should end up with two block sections as below.


Sew the two block sections together and you have a block!

Finally!

There will be a new block tomorrow. Possibly one that will showcase my newfound needle turn applique skills - well a chance to practice anyway.

But first, great news! There was "a quilt" at the show in Houston and it was amazing.
Machine pieced and quilted.
I so wanted to take a photo of each block so we can get some quilting ideas but people were waiting to see the quilt.

I always take photos of a quilt's description, etc. because I want to give credit to the quilter but I forgot this time. If you know who made this quilt, PLEASE let me know so I can add the information.

Edited to add: Thanks to Susan in Texas I now know who made this lovely quilt. It is called "A Tribute to Jane" and was made by Patricia Mayer (piecing) and Karen Watts (quilting).

This quilter chose not to piece the triangles but she is a genius! She quilted the triangle designs into the border.
Don't you just love the binding?


She also chose not to do setting squares. If I'm correct, Jane's quilt did not have setting squares or even sashing.

The quilting is absolutely amazing!

If you'd like to see a little more detail, click on the photos or hop on over to Flickr.

The last ones

I've decided that the current Rainbow Jane session will be the last.
I want these quilts to remain fairly unique and don't want hundreds of identical Janes out there.
Because I've had a fair amount of last-minute requests for signups, I managed to figure out a way to create a couple more kits.
There are two left, so if you know of someone who may want to sign up, signups will close tomorrow night, October 12th.
Forever.

I am however thinking of doing another BOM in different colors and need your help.
If you were to start a new quilt today, what colors would you choose?

An unintended break

I had the fullest intention of pre-posting all the blocks for this week and next. Alas, life got in the way.

This was a crazy week and I'm leaving for Houston on Tuesday. As of today I haven't even looked at the supply lists for my classes, much less bought the supplies.

I therefore hope you'll forgive me for this unplanned break.
I will try to squeeze a block or two in there but realistically it may be not happen. The next block will DEFINITELY be up by the 21st at the latest.

Last year there were no Janes in Houston. I'm hoping to see at least one this year. You'd think there would be one.

I leave you with a photo of my ever-growing pile of blocks.
Cute, aren't they?

F-12

Monday's block on a Monday? A miracle! It's our 150th block! We are two thirds of the way there!

Print or trace the block diagram onto foundation paper, number, and cut out as in the photo. Note that I'm ignoring the little set in triangles.

Following the numbers, foundation piece the two block sections. Trim the seam allowances to 1/4".

Sew the two sections together along the long edge.

Print or trace the block diagram onto the dull side of freezer paper. If you used freezer paper to foundation piece, you can reuse this as I did.
Iron the freezer paper to the right side of the block, lining up the seams and seam lines.
Cut the set in triangles from the fabric, leaving a seam allowance.

Cut a piece of main block fabric 5.5" x 5.5". Place this right side up on the table. Place the block right side up on top of it.
Baste through all layers along the set in triangles, far enough from the freezer paper edge to allow for the seam allowance to be turned under.

Reverse applique the four triangles. Trim the block to 5" square. Remove the freezer paper. Cut away the excess main block fabric from the back of the block.
Press.

D-12

I was back to my old inset-seam-avoiding self with this one.

Print or trace the block diagram onto foundation paper, number, and cut out as in the photo.

We're going to ignore the corner squares for now.
Foundation piece the two numbered sections and trim the seam allowances to 1/4".
Out of background fabric, cut a strip 1" x 5".

Assemble the block referring to the block diagram.

Print or trace the block diagram onto the dull side of freezer paper. Because I use freezer paper for foundation piecing I just reused what I had used before.
Iron the two freezer paper sections into position on the right side of the block as below and cut out the corner squares leaving a seam allowance.

Cut four 2" squares out of main block fabric.
Lay a 2" square right side up on the table and place the block right side up on top of it as in the photo below. Make sure there is enough overlap to be able to baste the layers together. Baste through all layers leaving enough room for the seam allowance to be turned under.

Reverse applique the square.

Repeat for all for corners of the block.
Remove the freezer paper, press, and trim the block to 5" square.