I finished scanning my Dear Jane blocks (see previous post). I did not rescan the reject blocks; it's time to focus on what I have instead of what I undid.
Color and Value
Some of the colors still seem off but I hope I at least have a closer representation of lights and darks. Aside from all I learned about making blocks, this quilt has been one big lesson in color and value. More than once, I've heard it said: "Value does all the work and color gets all the glory." Remembering that today, I converted this image to a gray scale. Does that inform anyone's opinions?
Rearrange?
I'm tempted to rearrange the blocks to emphasize the trip-round-the-world arrangement, but I think I'll just get myself into more trouble and I should leave well enough alone and just start sewing them all together. Maybe I can compensate for the unevenness in value by adding solid triangles.
For a person who likes asymmetry, I sure am fussing over this. What do you think?
I want so much to be done with this project but I don't want to regret rushing to finish it.
Looking at a small version of the image, is helping. It's like looking at the quilt from a distance. I'm coming to see that despite all my calculations, this is an asymmetric design. Looking at it that way, I'm at ease.
My Dear Jane Stats
In case you don't feel like scrolling to my other postings, here are my stats.
169 square blocks
13 blocks made twice or thrice
3,555 pieces (in the "keeper" blocks)
99 of the blocks (59%) have fussy cuts -- 627 fussy cuts in all
28 of the blocks (17%) use directional fabrics (stripes or plaids) -- 226 pieces in all
125 (74%) of the blocks were hand-pieced
17 (10%) were hand-appliqued
24 (14%) were hand-pieced and hand-appliqued
3 (2%) were machine-pieced and hand-appliqued -- these were very early blocks made before I completely abandoned machine piecing for this project: E10, G13, J13.
That Question
Oh yes, that question: How long did it take you? In truth, I have no idea. I know that I started these blocks some time in the late 1990's . . . possibly 1998 or 1999. I am most definitely a Slow Poke Quilter! Lots of things happened in my life while working on these blocks.
4 comments:
Gorgeous!! I wouldn't move anything-- it has a very balanced feel. It is also very interesting to see it in greyscale.
Thank you, Robin!
Minka! Congratulations on completing all your Dear Jane blocks. They are all beautiful. I especially love all the ones you have fussy cut.
I was going to ask you when you started but then read the previous post. You give me so much hope and inspiration that one day I too will finish my Dear Jane, LOL... I'm very very slow!!
You did a great job of yours. Did you hand stitch all of them? Elly(who started sept 07 and am only half way with the blocks and a quarter way with the tris.
Hi Elly,
Thank you for your kind words. I've added my stats to the end of the post. You will see that a handful of my blocks are machine sewn.
Best wishes to you on completing your DJ quilt!
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