Quilt as You Go.

Back in May of 2010 I joined a list of ladies that were working on Dear Jane quilts.
I am not so sure all were, but that did not matter to me.
What you did was to make what they call a "Siggy", which is a signature block using  D-13 From the Dear Jane book.
As you signed up you were given the directions to make the block with a finished size, and the list of participants.
You could write to any or all of the ladies on the list.
I did start aggressively, by writing a note, sending a block and hoping they were respond.
As time went on, I refined how I proceeded.  Not everyone would respond, unfortunately.
Most all of the ladies on the list are from overseas.
Eventually, I did make a list of who I sent to, and when I received their block.
One of the requirements was to send  a note, telling a bit about yourself.
For me, I have now gained some very special friends.
My "siggy" friend, Isabelle from France and I have made quilts together, we acknowledge each other's birthday, and Christmas, and send postcards when we are on vacation.  We each are on Facebook, so we can keep up with each other there as well.
My friend from Sweden,  Johanna and I keep in touch through each other's blogs. Her friend Angus has inspired me with his beautiful bird pictures.
Helen in Australia, and I keep in touch from Australia, between our blogs and Facebook.
It has been a wonderful way to make friendships.

Any way, this quilt is going to be the result of the exchanging of siggies. A while back Marga (MarPie) of MarPie's Sewing Projects, showed how she was making her quilt, by using the Quilt as you Go method.  Now this was something I have not done, so decided to give it a try.  I always like handwork and there is a lot of that in this quilt.
Marga Pieper is now the keeper of the list.
If you are interested in being part of this list, please contact her.

I started following her directions.
One row is completed.  I think I have over 300 of these to work on.
I am also making my quilt 18 wide.  Marga is making her quilt using only 15 in a row.

I am using charm packs for my backing squares, and have trimmed  my siggies to 5 inch square.  A couple I have had to add strips of fabric around the edges to bring them up to the 5 inches.
I am using a black on black for my front connecting sashes, and have cut 1 inch by 5 inch pieces of fabric to use for the back connecting sashes.
I have hand quilted around each of the center signature part of the block.  (You do need to do this before you start connecting them together.
On one side of the block you machine stitch with a front sash on top of your sandwiched and a piece of fabric you are going to use for the back on the back.  Sew a quarter inch from the edge.
Then you sew the next block to the top piece of sash  only.
On the back you will turn under the piece of sash and hand stitch it to the back of the next block.

The first row is completed.  I don't have the second row hand stitched at all yet, so cannon add the two rows together yet.

It is a fun way to put this quilt together.
Right now it will be 16 + rows long, at 83 inches.  I am pretty sure I have more then 300 to work with, but have not kept good track in the last year or so. I will just keep working on it.
Up until now, I have them in plastic page protectors in big notebooks.
Each block has the note or letter that came with it, as well as the envelope.
They are in the order I have received them through the years.
I will make sure I organize the letters to make sure they match the order they are sewn together.

It has been a great way to meet and make new friends that have the same interest as you.
Happy Sewing
Mary

Signature quilt

Here is a bit more of the signature quilt I completed in September. There is a large Dear Jane group on the Internet. In order to belong to it, you are to be working on a Dear Jane quilt.  I am, but very slowly. Sometimes I get it out and look at it and work on it a bit.  In 2011 and 2012 a signature swap was organized with Dear Jane participants.  I participated in both and decided I would put my blocks together. 

A lot of the participants are from the United States.  Ladies from the United Kingdom, Australia, Sweden, France, Norway, Belgium, and one young lady, who is 12 and from Pennsylvania.

Brenda Papadakis, also, includes a block.

Here is one of mine.

It is so much fun to see all the different patches and all where they traveled from.  Quilting is around the world.What an amazing common interest we have.

Have a great week.

Mary

Sewing

I have been a little busy with some sewing.  I am making signature blocks for the Dear Jane Signature Swap.  This year we have to make only 50 blocks.  Tonight I have them sewn, and signed.  I did get the binding on one quilt this week too, picture to follow.

What a week. This whole computer thing has got me in twit.  Still have not figured out to fix what is wrong.  I had someone over this morning to try his hand.  Nope! It is frustrating.  I can write, using my laptop. I still cannot log into blogger or google on the home computer.  He did set it up that I can print using the home printer.  So something good happened.

Sewing on Thursday was great.  I got most of the signature blocks, cut and sewn. I have been trying to get some of my projects organized.  I so want to rearrange my sewing room.  It is in desperate need of being cleaned up.

Tomorrow should be an exciting day.  I am going to Kankakee. Suzi Parron who wrote "Barn Quilts and the American Quilt Trail Movement" will be at the public library for a book signing.  I purchased the book when it came out.  It is such a great book. On the way I am going to stop at Woldhuisfarms, in Grant Park.  I would like a yellow magnolia.  I missed out on them last year. There is a coupon for Regal Geraniums,(not sure what they are, but will find out). It's Spring, who knows what I will find!
There is a quilt shop in Frankfort, Top Shelf Quilts. The last time we were down that way, we found a super deli, Ambrosino's. My husband has made a list for things to purchase.

I will be armed with selvage from some fabric I am looking for, a cooler for food, a pen for signing book, and the van to haul it all home!

Have a great weekend. Hope everyone gets time to sew or do something that makes you happy.

                                                                              Mary

Latest Happenings!!

Where does the time go? Summer is slipping by. Even though it has been hot, I still enjoy it. Now comes the fresh vegetables. I have already had fresh corn on the cob, and tomatoes. There is nothing like the taste of fresh produce!

Above is the darling tote and presents I received from Laurie Grant, in the "Summer Tote Swap". I love the"quilt" fabric. Laurie did a very nice job on picking the fabric and making the tote. I love the "goodies" she sent along. I will be going on a trip soon, and will take the tote and stitchery with me. Thank you again Laurie, I love it!!

Last evening at our "Scrap Club" we were all to bring one block string pieced for a drawing. I could not believe it when they drew my number!! As soon as I got home I sewed them together, and made 16 more. Sandy said I needed to bring a completed quilt by next month. Oh, do I love a challenge! We have been seeing quilts, and pictures of string quilts set in different ways. What a great way to use stash. Sandy asked if we could see any dent in the fabric we are using for our scrap quilts. I know I have been using my stash, but I think I have replaced it with new fabric. We have gotten so many ideas for scrap quilts. I want to make them all. We are also doing a 9 patch exchange, I need to get busy on that.Now for my siggie update. The above 2 are from Virginia, in Washington and Kris in Utah.

Rose Marie of Canada, Betty of West Virginia, and Cora of Ohio.

Monique of Canada, Nell of Virginia,Saka of Washington, and Frieda of Texas

Beth of Georgia, Carol of Florida, and Renat of Germany sent 2. I am loving receiving these wonderful siggies. If any of you that do read my blog would like to exchange, please let me know. This is so much fun. Another quilt in the making!!

I have 225 Klosjes made and counting. I figure I need at least 312 for a lap quilt. I have started to sew some of them together in sets of 2 and 4. Since I am using a variety of backgrounds, I don't want the same one showing up all in one place. I have enjoyed this process so much.

I will be going on a cruise with my Dad in September. Dad signed up for this cruise back in December before his stroke in January. He is doing so well, and wants to continue his adventures. He and I will be gone for 30 days. We are sailing to the Hawaiian Islands then on to the Society Islands. I have been gathering several projects to take with me to work on. The Klosjes are going with me, who knows maybe I will have a quilt top done by the time I return

Happy Quilting.

Siggie Swap

Judy Lindsay, Washington

Here is my latest undertaking. I am doing a signature (siggie) swap with ladies from around the world.


Annelies van den Bergh, Nederland
Marjo van Oers, Nederland
Pat Harrell, Florida & Michigan
Edith Berthels, Belgium
Helen McNaught, Australia

Lotte Klint, Denmark

I have sent 15 requests out so far, but have not received any of them back yet. Several of these ladies sent to me first and I sent mine back right away. I did get some fabric that has ILLINOIS written all over it to use. The first ones I sent out were flamingo fabric, as I collect flamingos, and thought I should start using some of the fabric. I did find the ILLINOIS fabric and thought that would be a great idea. I think this too will be a lot of fun. I hope to some day have my own quilt made up of fabric from around the world.

Happy Quilting