Dear Jane – Which Points West? – Homely Handmades UK

We have started this mammoth project which we are doing one to two blocks per week. The Dear Jane quilt original was made during the American civil war by Jane Stickle in 1863. I have tried to use as close as possible to the original colours by using the Moda Fluttering Leaves Fabric range, Trudi is going for a more modern look using Batiks (Trudi is regretting agreeing to this project). Trudi is using Bali pops in the Chai Latte colour way.

Usually we work by rotary cutting but this project does not lend itself well so we are going to using templates. The quilt will be 80.25″ x 80.25″ finished and comprises of 5602 pieces 😦

So far we have completed the first 9 blocks and will today be doing the 10th.

The blocks are all slightly different sizes. We aim for 4.5″ squares but, as the original, have squares ranging from 3.5″ to 5.5″. This will be rectified using sashing, this is a future us problem.

Today’s block is called Which Points West? and is a combination of piecing and appliqué.

We start by cutting all the pieces out and before cutting the Appliqué we attach it to the Heat n Bond paper as shown. I used a chalk pencil then cut just inside the chalk line to get an accurate size.

We have decided to attach the sides of the square first then sew together the sides by folding the corners on top of each other and sewing. I had to unpick and re sew one side because I had sewed too close to the corner and created a crease but got there in the end.

The next step is to attached the appliqué pieces. I first ironed them in place and sewed around the edge using a zigzag stitch 1mm x 1mm . Trudi used 3mm x 3mm. We both went around the edge twice. I used a coordinating coloured thread where as Trudi used a contrast.