The view from here

I was wondering.... now that I have 83 blocks and some triangles for my 1800's Christmas Jane quilt, what does it look like so far? Here is what it looks like, set out on the floor. Not every block got in the shot.

I was obsessing about all the applique of tiny pieces, but I said to myself, Self, it is your quilt. You do not need to applique tiny melons, unless it is integral to the design, or you want to. You can machine piece and paper piece every block you can. Or do it by hand if you want to.

viridian61

D-11 in paper-piecing

Part of the Jane journey is learn new techniques. However right now now I am resisting this. To do D-11, Snow Crystal, once can piece the inner square and triangles, do some Y-seams and inset corners. Not me! I redrafted this - changing lines just a little - so that it can be paper pieced in several parts. I do own a copy of Electric Quilt software and could use it I suppose... but just did it with pencil and paper.
This makes block # 80 on my main quilt! Now I'll start some triangles.
viridian61

1800's Christmas Jane 80, 17, 0, 2247
Pretty in Pink Jane 49, 15, 0, 1428

Nancee's Fantasy - next steps

This is the triangle of the week on the Dear Jane list. Top Photo: Printout using the Dear Jane software from Electric Quilt. I chose foundation pattern, and asked to regroup ("start over") pieces for paper piecing. I then eliminated a bit of triangle on two foundations, and extended the background on the other two pieces.
Bottom picture: The beginning of my paper piecing. Not all is done, but you see I am able to keep the lozenge as one piece to feature a fabric print.
I highly recommend buying the Electric Quilt software (after getting the book of course!) It has been SO useful.

Viridian61

LS1 Nancee's Fantasy my solution

I've got it!
This is the triangle of the week for the Dear Jane list. (See my link on the right). Nancee's Fantasy looks difficult, but I think I found a way to avoid set-in seams, if you don't mind foundation paper piecing 7 sections.

I used to not like paper piecing - I found it so frustrating. BUT, on these small DJ blocks it helps me get the accuracy I want. I just cut my pieces of fabric extra large and trim after I sew. The extra time and effort is worth the saved frutration.

Anyhow: take a look at my photo above, and click on it to see the large image and the details. Thank you to whoever on the list mentioned straight diagonal lines - then my inspiration came! I changed a line through one small triangle (see above) The center lozenge has two pieces of background fabric added to the bottom ( I added a seam here). The heavier lines outline the separate sections - I hope you can understand them. Then add the thin vertical section that is like a frame - 3 pieces here, all numbered. Then add the outer parts. Then add the two bottom sections. Each bottom section has one large triangle of your focus fabric, background fabric, then a tiny triangle of focus fabric. I sacrificed the shape and size of this little triangle, but I thought it was worth it.

After this bottom part is done, add the two triangles of background fabric, and then you are ready to add the point, which is also paper pieced.

Now; I haven't actually cut my fabric and pieced this, so I don't know how it will work. I plan to print out at least two more outline images of the triangle and cut them up into paper piecing sections. I'll post images of my progress.

Hey, a PHD is science is something- it has improved my problem-solving skills!

Viridian61