Category: Personal Reflection

Documenting My Dear Jane Quilt Project: A Quilter’s Diary

~ Terry Whitmell ~ 1 Comment

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:

Let’s hope that my WordPress skills, my EQ8 skills, and my quilting skills all benefit from this Dear Jane project.

Wish me luck!

Embarrassment

~ Terry Whitmell ~ Leave a comment

It’s been ten days since I lost it in a public place. A good friend was hurt, and had the courage to share this with me in the moment. And I was able to apologize over email, and she generously replied with an acceptance.

But, I have not yet, despite more than a week of restless nights, figured out how to “fix” this with those who observed my bad behaviour.

Despite more than 40 years in education, where I was given the responsibility of helping adolescents manage their emotions and behaviour, I still haven’t figured it out for myself. And due to my success (at least on paper), I am held to a higher standard, both by my community and by myself.

I have looked for role models in public life, but there are few examples I can find of those who have acknowledged and apologized for their behaviour. We have far more examples of those who take a defensive position, gaslight their critics, or completely ignore the feedback they receive.

I know that those I need to apologize to will never read this blog post. But perhaps a step towards forgiving myself is to acknowledge that:

  1. I should never shout in public, unless it is a matter of safety.
  2. I shouldn’t speak unless I can see the eyes of the person to whom I am speaking.
  3. I should maintain eye contact as I speak, and respond to visual cues as quickly as possible.
  4. I should ensure I get enough sleep, in order to maintain self-control at the end of a long stressful task.

I will have many opportunities to practise these over the next year, and I will return here to reflect on my progress in each of these areas.

I am sorry that I shocked, and possibly scared, those around me. I beg forgiveness, and hope that my future actions will serve to build trust and regain respect.