A Visit from the Jane Gang!
Yesterday we enjoyed a visit from The Jane Gang of Northeast Alabama (Mike’s old stomping grounds of Sand Mountain to be exact!), and we had so much fun with these ladies. Billie (seated left in the blue jacket) is a family friend and loyal customer of Sweet Home, and she sang our praises to her friends so much that they had to make a day trip just to come see for themselves!
Several of the quilters in The Jane Gang have made more than one Dear Jane Quilt (!!!) including Billie. She brought one of two that she has made to share with us, and we spent quite a while poring over the intricate blocks and fine stitching. Billie spent over 200 hours on the hand quilting alone of this quilt! In her words, “I’ve completed two Dear Jane quilts and I’m so weary of them. One is difficult enough for an old lady and two takes the prize.” Takes the prize is an understatement – the workmanship in this quilt was amazing and my photos in no way do it justice!
That’s Billie’s husband, Mr. John, on the right. He says these are “Dear John” quilts because he’s the one who has suffered through the making of them! You could just hear the pride in his voice, though, even through his teasing remarks.
Here Billie shows Pam the finer points of finishing the “valleys” of the scalloped borders.
You can see both Pam and Mellie have their mouths hanging open! Each block was more and more amazing!
Billie also brought her current work-in-progress – a 1930s applique quilt and another amazing work of art! She’s used some feedsacks and scraps “begged” from friends – this one actually made me want to do some applique!
I can’t wait to see what quilting pattern Billie decides to use on this one! Of course, it will be handquilted, too!
What a fun day we had with The Jane Gang (and Mr. John!), and we can’t wait to have them come for another visit.
Tags: applique, Customer Projects, Dear Jane Quilt, feedsacks, Jane Gang, Show & Tell
October 9th, 2009 at 4:36 AM
Oh, beautiful pictures. Every time I see a completed Dear Jane, I think about how mine will be done like that too some day. Good inspiration!
October 9th, 2009 at 7:49 AM
What a beautiful quilt(s)! If seeing those quilts doesn’t get you motivated and inspirated, NOTHING will! I am so glad that you all had a wonderful visit with them.