Friday, June 24, 2011

Jane Running Short

I'm a Slow Poke quilter. After I was many years into my Dear Jane quilt, I learned that the book recommended the wrong amount of background fabric. To be concise, here's a Brenda Papadakis quote from the Quilting Board (which they attribute to Brenda's site, but I could not find the quote on her site):

In the book , I suggest 5 yards for the entire quilt. This is an error on my part. If you are hand-piecing, you will need about 8 yards. If you are machine piecing, I recommend about 15 yards. However, if you are foundation piecing, you will need about 20 [yards]. This information had been graciously provided by those who have made the top.


I'm pretty sure I purchased 5 yards and now it's too late for me to get more matching fabric. Lucky for me, I mostly hand pieced, however, I made 13 blocks two or three times because I originally tried machine piecing and later changed some of my fabric/color choices and construction methods. I have enough to complete the square blocks (which is all I planned to make); I have 2 left to go. All this time, I was banking on matching fabric for the sashing. I think it will help quiet down this busy quilt.

When I have a quiet moment, I will sit down and carefully calculate how much I need to sash the square blocks. Say a prayer for me and my quilt. If I have enough for that, then I'll figure out the rest.

I have about 60 x 40 inches of fabric left (and two more blocks to make but I can do those with no background fabric if need be). I'm thinking of doing a woven effect which is just cool but will also save me a half inch here and there. Does anyone have photos of a woven sashing effect?

3 comments:

Sheila said...

I have used a variety of cream/neutrals in my blocks but purchased 3 1/2 yards for sashing and binding. I did get a bit anxious as i began sashing the blocks as i completed them, and bought an extra 1 1/2 yards. I don't think i will need it but now I am sure i will have enough.

Minka said...

Hi Sheila,
That was clever of you to use a variety of fabrics for your background.

Queen of the Tea Cosies said...

Hello Minka
Thank you for visiting over at my place. :-)
Looking around yours - and well what beautiful intricate work you do.
Cheers
Loani

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