Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Jane is Finished!

Welcome to my new blog, Gretchen's Little Corner which is a continuation of my old Wordpress blog, Gretchen's Little Corner. I decided to go with Blogger for the new blog for varying reasons. If Blogger doesn't work out, then maybe I'll go back to Wordpress.

If you are new to my blog you will find I post about quilting, farming, gardening or whatever is going on in my life. Special thanks to my daughter for setting up this blog way last summer!

I spent most of 2015 working on my version of the Jane Stickle, also know as a Dear Jane. I just completed her and I'm proud to show her off. If you would like to read about my Jane journey, click here.




I quilted her on the old stands and sticks frame my father made for me 40 years ago. The stands have been reinforced, glued and reinforced more. They are not very stable anymore. 

During the Jane Stickle quilt retreat in November, I bought a Grace quilting frame at the resale table. I'm the 3rd owner of this quilting frame, but it has never been put together. My SIL started putting the quilting frame together for me while he and our daughter were here the middle of December. He really enjoyed this project as it was a nice change for him from his academia world. 

When he removed the pieces from the box, it looked like this:



He completed structure work, but son 2 did the finishing work on her. Now she looks like this. There are 4 pipe rollers. On the sides there are bungee cords with clamps attached. I was concerned about the sides being taut enough, but they are! In fact I had them too tight and needed to loosen them. She takes up less room width-wise than the old frame did. 

My DIL and Son 2 helped me load up the frame for the first quilting project. I decided I wanted to do a smaller quilt (I'm kind of burnt out on quilting at the moment!) and pulled out the Fussy-Cut Star wall quilt I hand pieced in 2014. I don't have a specific time frame to have this wallhanging completed. She'll be finished when is finished.



DIL2 started the quilting on the outside border. You can't see it at all on the top but the black thread shows nicely on the white muslin back. Since this is a wall hanging, I went with an easy decision for the backing fabric. 



The borders have been sewn on the Snowflake Zippy-Strippy quilt. I'm going to baste leftover batting strips together for batting. Once they are sewn together, I'll start machine quilting her.

Thank you for joining me on my new blog. 

I'll be linking to Esther's Wednesday WOW, Freshly Pieced, My Quilt Infatuation, A Quilting Reader's Garden, Quilt Story, Crazy Mom Quilts, Slow Stitching Sunday, Podunk PrettiesQuilting is More Fun Than Housework and Love Laugh Quilt.

38 comments:

Glenda said...

Dear Gretchen your DJ looks so beautiful what a wonderful gift you have given to generations to come. Your quilting has brought her to life in such a beautiful way. Your new loom looks so light and compact but it must be a wrench to let your dads one go. Your star quilt looks lovely on the frame. Hugs Glenda

Gretchen Weaver said...

I feel such a sense of accomplishment when I look at my Jane. I just feel, WOW!, I did it! I still have the old frame and I'll never get rid of it. That is one item my children will just have to decide what to with someday.

Chopin - A Passionate Quilter said...

I still love that Dear Jane and I like the new set up. Need to add your new and old site to my Blog Favorites.

Every Stitch said...

Wonderful finish!! it is especially amazing being hand quilted. Loved reading about the quilting frame and the whole family involvement. Can't seem to add your new site to my bloglovin feed but will follow by email :)

Chris said...

Welcome to the world of blogger. It's where I started and can find my way around easily enough. It must be the most amazing feeling to have your Dear Jane quilt off the frame. Congratulations!

Frog Quilter said...

Your Dear Jane looks beautiful!! I need to get back to mine which I am doing in blues and Snow White fabric.

ES said...

I can't find your new blog on bloglovin :(

Chris of UK City Crafter said...

Your Dear Jane is an inspiration! I've put it on my Pinterest board and I shall keep looking at it to help me keep motivated on my own Dear Jane journey.

ukcitycrafter@live.co.uk

Plum Cox said...

AMAZING! So beautiful, Gretchen! I'm pleased to hear that you finished it - and I bet that you share that funny feeling of pleased and bereft, which seems to happen whenever one finishes a milestone project! Love your other projects too. Bet Little Gracie is happy to be assembled finally!

Jo said...

Amazing quilt. That's one to truly be proud of.

JB said...

Jane is amazing!

Debora Exum said...

Beautiful beautiful Dear Jane quilt. I love the borders. That quilt will be treasured for many generations. Congratulations on the finish.

Sophie Zaugg said...

Congratulations on finishing this project ! I like very much two colours Dear Jane.

Flickenstichlerin said...

Wonderful Jane Stickle quilt, what a beauty. Congratulations to the finish.
Greetings,
Sylvia

Kate said...

Your Dear Jane is gorgeous! Congrats on the finish.

Stephanie said...

Your Jane Stickle is incredible, I can't believe the detail.

Schulz Family said...

visiting from crazy mum quilts. That is just an amazing finish. Wow impressed

Ariane said...

Wow! Your Dear Jane quilt is amazing!!! Congrats on the beautiful finish!!!

The Cozy Quilter said...

Dear Jane is just stunning! Congratulations on your finish! Nice quilting frame...and I love the stars quilt that you are going to be quilting next.

Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow said...

Dear Jane is such an extraordinary accomplishment / I enjoyed reading about the frames as well :)

allthingzsewn said...

congratulations on Janes beautiful finish. Like your attitude on the stars, when it's done it's done.

CathieJ said...

All the quilting on Dear Jane is beautiful but that border is magnificent. I really like the new quilt frame. I only have a standing hoop that I often take out of the stand for comfort. That frame looks nice and compact. Your quilts are very pretty. Enjoy your stitching. Congrats on the new blog.

Deb said...

Your Dear Jane is beautiful, as are the other lovely quilts you have made. I wish you many years of quilting on your new frame.

Carla A Few Of My Favorite Things said...

What a wonderful finish! Love the feathers you quilted around the border. Very special indeed!

Denise :) said...

Your Dear Jane is stunning -- great job! I know you must feel a tremendous sense of pride and accomplishment over this! I was gifted a Grace frame from a quilter friend who had it . . . the EZ23. I just got it on New Year's day and like yours, it's never been used. I can't wait to get something loaded in it! :)

scraphappy said...

Congratulations on your new quilt frame. She is a beauty. Your Dear Jane is just stunning! What a huge accomplishment! Truly a quilt of a lifetime.

Sarah said...

Wow, what a stunner!

Ivani said...

Your Jane is stunning!

Jayne Honnold said...

I have had a long-time longing for Dear Jane, and your version is beautiful! Congratulations on a beautiful job. You most definitely have an heirloom. I am also intrigued by that quilt frame, and will (perhaps) look into trying to find one for myself. I have a Q-Snap, which I use regularly; I also have a very old and lovingly used quilt frame from my grandmother. Her grandmother used it, too! I do plan to quilt a quilt on it this calendar year. Your Grace frame looks really neat and tidy. Love the bungee cords. I found you today through the Slow Stitching Sunday link party at Kathy's Quilts.

Frances Meredith said...

Great to see another Dear Jane finished. Lovely job.

Bonnie said...

WOW! Blue Jane looks wonderful. Enjoy the new frame. Wish I would finish ANY of the hand quilting efforts I've started. It is winter so maybe....

Anonymous said...

Absolutely stunning version of Dear Jane. One of my favourites now

Ellen said...

Beautiful Dear Jane quilt and such an accomplishment!

Jeanne said...

Congratulations, Gretchen! Your Jane quilt is gorgeous! Can't wait to see it in person at the next retreat.

Melva said...

This is gorgeous! It does certainly deserve some extra love. Thanks for sharing on the Throwback Party.
MelvaLovesScraps(at)NolanQualityCustoms(dot)com

Scrapatches said...

I had to go find this when I saw you post about a Jane Stickle Retreat. This is gorgeous! I was fortunate to see the original Jane Stickle Quilt in the museum in Bennington, VT, several years ago. It is only put on display once a year for a few days and I just happened to walk into the museum on the right day. I had never heard of the quilt before. It was awe inspiring. I was a beginning quilter at the time. I bought the book there but have never started the quilt. I think it may be beyond my abilities. Bravo on completing your quilt! ... :) Pat

Scrapatches said...

Congratulations on completing this amazingly beautiful quilt! Bravo! ... :) Pat

Scrapatches said...

I had to go see if you had made a Jane Stickle Quilt. Of course you have and it is amazing! Blue and white makes a beautiful quilt. I have the book which I purchased at the museum in Bennington, VT, where I happened upon the original quilt during its once a year showing. Pure happenstance. I had not planned it as I did not even know it existed. After seeing the quilt and reading her story, I visited her gravesite in nearby Shaftsbury. Such an interesting historical area. I have never felt capable of making the quilt. I love seeing all the quilts though ... :) Pat