This block confirmed my decision to favour Foundation Paper Piecing. Except for the last three borders, it was all constructed using a printout from EQ8.
I chose to repeat the use of red, since one of my goals is to use up my stash of fabric. And I like a quilt where the eye can jump from one focus colour to the next.
In the Dear Jane Stitch Along, the YouTube video by @JayneStitches, she handpieces this block. I think it would be a perfect block for this technique as well. If I were travelling, I would certainly consider hand-piecing while on a plane or bus.
Successes:
Nice crisp points due to the FPP technique
Lovely contrast of the red against the white background
Block #2 for me is the first block in the Dear Jane Stitch Along, in Facebook. The plan in this group is to do one block per week, for three years. I plan to catch up with the group, and follow along, while completing other blocks to fill out my weeks. This is the centre block of the quilt, and anchors a nineteenth-century version of “Trip Around the World”. I don’t know if I will stick to this colour plan, but I found this lovely green, to remind me of spring!
The videos created by @JayneStitches are detailed and easy-to-follow, and allowed me to confidently tackle this complex block. And the printed instructions were a perfect complement to the files from EQ8. Here are the instructions with my centre circle in process:
I followed the Facebook group instructions for the first two steps, but then used the Foundation Paper Piecing page from EQ8 to do the cross strips:
I had a lot of fun with this one!
Successes:
Combining applique with FPP worked very well
Use of Best Press to fix edges made the needle-turn applique easy and precise
I can put my blocks away, and still see how the quilt is going, through the use of the Progress Chart in EQ8
Challenges:
There were remarkably few challenges with this block, despite my trepidation!
If you have read my previous post, you will know that I am starting a quilting journey. This journey is expected to be measured in years rather than days. Today I took the first step by choosing a simple block, or at least one that appeared to be simple.
I am used to working with my rotary cutter and ruler to construct blocks. So I chose that option first from EQ8.
It looked straightforward, so I converted the decimals to fractions, cut my pieces and prepared to sew.
The blocks are to be 4.5″, so I found my only 4.5″ ruler, and checked it out. As you can see, it’s a little wonky. I definitely don’t have a quarter-inch seam allowance to use when I connect blocks with sashing at the end.
So, I then thought I should try out the foundation paper piecing (FPP) option:
I printed it on regular printer paper, and used the same fabrics:
This one is MUCH more accurate. Foundation Paper Piecing (FPP) should give me the ability to retain my points when I piece the quilt top.
Successes:
lovely contrast of white and red
final block that is large enough to be trimmed to finished size
Challenges:
I will have more waste fabric using FPP rather than rotary cutting
I destroy the pattern when doing FPP, so I have no paper to file and document the block
And here’s what my quilt looks like so far:
I’m awaiting delivery of a new “Add-a-quarter plus” ruler, to help with the Foundation Paper Piecing. And I have also ordered liquid starch to use when tackling my needle-turn applique blocks. I have joined three Facebook groups and subscribed to several YouTube channels, in order to research techniques for each block as I encounter them. Hopefully this will speed up the process on some blocks, and ensure that I don’t need to make more than one version each time!
Every New Year I vow to use what I have, and not purchase new, for my studio. This year I am hoping that this purchase will support me in this endeavour.
I have loved doing the HundredDayProject over the past few years, and have successfully reduced my stash of yarn by crocheting 100 granny squares, have learned how to use my Cricut by making 100 boxes, and last year I worked my way through Tula Pink’s 100 Modern Quilt Blocks. However, I found myself having to “work ahead” in order to consistently post one item per day, when I was going to have to be away from my studio for several days.
So, for this year, 2026, I propose to follow a similar model, but to not use “day” as my unit. Instead, I propose to complete the 225 blocks of the Dear Jane quilt, posting each as I complete it. To that end, I have purchased the EQ8 add-on, and will be developing greater understanding of this software through this project.
Having been inspired by the Quilt Alliance, I am also going to document this quilt (having never done so over 35 years of quilting), and will reference this blog when I put a label on the completed quilt (which I have only recently begun to do with my quilts!).
Here are the rules I have set for myself:
I will use only fabric from my stash.
I will “tackle” the blocks in the order that inspires me.
I will photograph each block, and add it to the layout, providing me with a virtual “design wall” that I will be able to utilize as the quilt progresses, and to determine the final block layout.
I will document each block in a separate blog post, and for each I will note technical details, as well as the challenges and successes that I experience completing the block.
I will accept that this could be a multi-year project!
Here are some useful links, relating to this project:
Terry Whitmell, PhD 