Behind the Design: Dear Jane
DuckaDilly's newest Block of the Month (BOM) collaboration, Dear Jane, with Brenda Papadakis and Jess Finn from Paper Pieces® has generated a lot of excitement in the studio and among fellow "Janiacs" (as Brenda lovingly refers to Dear Jane enthusiasts). Not only has the artistry and composition of Jane A. Blakely Stickle's 1863 quilt captivated quilters across the globe, but it has also been a common denominator for many lifelong friendships.
We had so many questions for Brenda and Jess about their "Journeys with Jane": What inspired you to embark on your journey? Were there any surprises or lessons learned along the way? Do you have any wisdom to share with our Dear Jane BOM subscribers? What we learned from interviewing these two amazing women makes us even more proud to be a part of such a meaningful collaboration.
We share their journeys and advice in this week's blog post.
A Chance Encounter with Jane's Quilt
In 1991, Brenda Papadakis met Jane's quilt in a book. Her friend was excited to show her "the quilt all the miniaturists are crazy about". Brenda couldn't believe that with all the buzz around this quilt that no one had made it yet. While the labor of drafting "all those blocks" (225 "blocks" to be exact: 169 blocks, 52 triangles, and 4 corner kites) may have deterred others, it only fueled Brenda! She found herself "mesmerized by the geometry in 'all those blocks'". Brenda did not know then that Jane, her story, and her quilt would enrich her life for the next 30 plus years!
Drafting Dear Jane for Machine Piecing
Brenda did not have the luxury of modern technology when she was getting started, which meant drafting each of the 225 blocks old school, using a pencil, paper, ruler, and compass. Given that most of blocks were unique to Jane Stickle (and not traditional blocks), Brenda had to implement a more meticulous and thoughtful approach to the project. This included a couple of visits to the Bennington Museum, which houses Jane's original quilt, to the trace blocks by hand.
To add another layer of complexity, Jane's blocks varied in size from 3.5 to 5 inches. This posed some challenges in drafting blocks to a consistent 4.5-inch square. Brenda's degree in mathematics was certainly an asset throughout this process!
"The whole time I was drafting the blocks, I was talking to Jane. Sometimes I laughed at her cleverness and other [times] I wondered just what she was thinking?"
The publication of Dear Jane in 1996 created a "world-wide quilting bee" and connected Brenda to quilters from 35 countries who shared "their lives, their stories, their fabrics". And, Brenda's journey with Jane continues to blossom today.
Dear Jane Goes EPP?
Over the years, Jess Finn had received numerous requests for pre-cut English Paper Piecing papers for Dear Jane. The thought of making Jane's quilt accessible to more quilters through introduction of a new method was so rewarding. Yet, Jess recalled that every time they received a request, they would giggle to themselves in the office. Not only would it be SO much work to prepare the 5,602 papers, but the work required on the maker’s side was also kind of daunting.
"Then, one year at Houston Quilt Market I had the absolute pleasure of meeting Mrs. Brenda Papadakis, and I said, 'Brenda, you wouldn't believe how many people request the pieces for Jane!' And, she did exactly what we did - she giggled and said, 'That would take FOREVER!'"
Exactly one year later, Jess's company Paper Pieces® debuted "Dear Jane Goes EPP" at the Houston Quilt Market, with Brenda's blessing!
Drafting Dear Jane for EPP
Though Jess had modern technology to assist with converting the quilt blocks to paper pieces, "the biggest struggle was all the varying sizes of leaves and half square triangles!" Unlike the consistency of blocks in more modern quilts, the sizing of elements in every block where Jane used them was so close, but also so different.
The Dear Jane takeover of Jess's dining room table
So, how do you pick your favorite block(s)? When we asked Jess this question, she referred us to a small quilt she made called "PS Jane". The simplicity in these 6 blocks combine to form a beautiful array, and serve as a perfect way to dip your toes into the world of Dear Jane.
Advice to our Dear Jane BOM Subscribers, From Brenda and Jess
We asked both of these amazing women, experts in Dear Jane, for any tips or tricks they want to share with our BOM subscribers. Here is their advice.
Savor your journey through Dear Jane. Just as Brenda wrote letters to Jane, sharing her thoughts, observations, and inspirations, you, too, can document your experiences and journey while completing Dear Jane. Jess shared with us, "If I could do anything differently, I would have made notes in my book, where I worked on it, who helped me, almost like a mini journal. My Jane traveled to 3 countries with me!"
Give yourself a little grace. Jess reminds us that, "Not every block is going to be perfect. Neither were Jane's! Not every block is going to be your favorite. And that's ok - give yourself a little grace…" If you ask Brenda, I'm sure she will agree that it is the imperfections in Jane's quilt that make us love and appreciate her artistry that much more.
Find your inspiration. Whether it's binge watching the first season of "Outlander" in Jess's case or connecting with others in your Dear Jane community, seek what inspires and motivates you. In addition to loving Liberty fabrics, Brenda has found the most inspiring part of her "Journey with Jane" is the people she has met and the friendships she has forged along the way.
Each of our journeys with Dear Jane will be unique but we are connected by our mutual love and appreciation of Jane's "pure creative genius". We are deeply thankful for our partnership with Brenda and Jess, and delighted to be a part of your Dear Jane experience.
Interested in making your own Dear Jane? Join us on our journey!
