Sunday, 24 May 2026

Saturday, 23 May 2026

Dear Jane Quilt.

 If there were a trophy for the most started-least finished quilt it would go to Dear Jane.  The quilt itself comes from the Jane Stickle Quilt which is to be found in the Bennington Museum In Vermont and is on display every autumn. 





It inspired  Brenda Papadakis to write a book called Dear Jane:The Two Hundred and Fifty Five Patterns from the 1863 Jane A Stickle Quilt. and a quilt legend was born.
There are (as the title of the book suggests) 255 blocks and each and every one is different, both in terms of pattern for the pieced blocks but also no coloured fabric is repeated twice.  Many of the block designs are unique and would have been of Janes own devising.  The centre squares are four inches across and many are made by piecing and applique together.  
Although married Jane Stickle had no children of her own and the quilt was constructed whilst her husband was away at war, Jane herself was not in the best of health during this time and yet she managed to construct this beautiful quilt which although of the style of the period was her entirely her won work (in a time when group quilts were popular) and also uses considerably smaller blocks than the norm.

Brenda's book contains drawings of every block in the quilt but no instructions.  There are EPP kits that you can buy the papers for ( at several hundred pounds a piece just for the papers), there are also some YouTubers who have started Dear Jane quilt alongs, EQ also includes a Dear Jane supplement to their software (again lots of money to pay out!).  

However my go-to (as I begin this quilt journey itself - Is this wise I wonder?) is the Susan Gatewood site which includes drafting instructions for each and every block which is offered entirely for free.


Wheel of Fortune Quilt Block

 This block is based on a nine patch with four patches in the corners and quarter square triangles at the sides.


Wheel of Fortune - Free Quilt Block Pattern - Patchwork Square


Other 3x3 blocks

Friday, 22 May 2026

Baton Rouge Square block



This version is from Patchwork square


This version from Generations Quilt comes in three sizes

this video is from Sunrise Quilts Studio


This one is more subtle in colour and it comes from Kay Lloyd




This block is based on a 5x5 grid - find other 5x5 blocks here

Thursday, 21 May 2026

Double four patch/autumn tints block

 This is the block that you get when you make a four patch and use it as two of the squares for a subunit in another four patch



Stacey Lee made this version

Another one from the Quilt Codex


Sunrise Quilt studio


Teresa Downunder


This version is two colours so would make a great lattice block for connecting other blocks

It's autumn colours from Sew Be It Quilts


Carol Thelen goes completely scrappy and also includes Accuquilt instructions


The Sewing Studio uses charm packs for their baby quilt

Cottage Quilting went with a monotone colourway and are using the block in a sew-a-long quilt

Missouri Star used the block for their double take series - and gives two ideas for variations which use layer cakes


Needlepointers alternates the block with a big square to make a quick ad easy baby quilt


Theresa Down Under uses the block in another sew-a-long



based on a 2x2 grid - here are other blocks based on a 2x2 grid


Wednesday, 20 May 2026

Wheel Frame Quilt Block

 

This block has a pinwheel variation at the centre with rectangles and cornerstones forming a border.

Wheel Frame - Free Quilt Block Pattern - from Patchwork Square

This block is based on a 4x4 grid

Other 4x4 blocks




Tuesday, 19 May 2026

Wheel In The Road Quilt Block

 

Based upon a 4 by four grid this has a pinwheel variation at the centre with a flying geese border.

Wheel in the Road - Free Quilt Block Pattern - from Patchwork Square


Other 4x4 blocks

Delectable mountains/buzz saw quilt block

Start with a large HST, cut into four strips and rearrange and you have the Delectable Mountains or Buzz Saw quilt block.  Delectable Mounta...