Dear Jane Triangle Bottom Row # 5

BR # 5

The following is how I did this triangle. Keep in mind that I have already made 42 triangles for the borders and 3 corner kites, so I have had a bit of experience getting this far.

The Dear Jane software has all the patterns and the EQ7 program will make all the calculations for whatever size you want to print off the patterns. It gives you the choice of foundation, rotary cutting or templates. Not every pattern has every option, so I discovered.

For applique, I printed off the pattern onto freezer paper or traced the shape needed.

Sometimes I combined different techniques from different sources to get it done. I even learned how to think some of it through myself before finding thatquilt.blogspot where I got insights in freezer paper foundation and reverse applique combinations.

There are no given patterns or instructions in the Dear Jane book. Each block and border triangle has a photo from the original Jane Stickle quilt and a full sized diagram of the finished block.

There are 2 blocks or triangles per page.
I am doing the one on the top. It looks like it could also be appliqued.
I did mine by foundation or paper piecing.

Using the DJ software and EQ7, I printed off the foundation patterns 3 years ago when I was preparing the border kits for my group. I tried to be 10 blocks ahead of the girls, even though I did not always know what I was doing . We decided to wait until after the center blocks were complete to start on the borders.  So, I started back on the triangles back in April.

I forgot to mirror the images because at the time I did not realize that I had to or that there was an option. 

I find that it is helpful to mark each of the coloured sections to avoid mistakes.
Even with this, I still managed to reverse some of the pieces and had to unstitch.

Also, marking the outside seam lines is helpful.

It is important to line up the sections correctly since I move the pattern pieces around before printing in order to get all the pieces on one page.
In the beginning, I did not now that I had the option to move them and I printed off patterns and then proceeded to "cut and paste" with scissors and tape before making copies for everyone.
I am so educated now.

The narrow triangle shapes on the outside of each of the edge sections are different widths. Good thing I spotted that before connecting them.

Before connecting the sewn up sections, I turned them over and lined them up. For some reason it is easier from the back.

 I did not make any attempt to fussy cut. Not all of my fabric choices give me that option. It was when I was lining these up that I realized that the outside edges were different widths in each row.

 I use the very fine Clover blue and yellow glass head pins to pin together the sections. I find they slide in and through all the paper and fabric easier.

It is also important to use a very short stitch length with paper piecing otherwise, the stitches rip out when removing the papers. This then becomes a bit of a challenge when you make a mistake and need to unstitch.
It is never called ripping out a seam. That sounds so destructive. You unsew or unstitch.

And yes, I use one of my 4 Featherweights for paper piecing. I can set it up on the table with the cutting mat to the left and the ironing board to the right at an angle so I can just swivel my comfy chair.

 When all the sections in each row are connected, I lay them all out again to make sure I have them in the right order. I see that not all the diamonds are alined perfectly, but I am not redoing them since they are much better that ones I did a long time ago.

After all the sewing is done, the papers still have to be removed.  This can take me 1/2 hour for some blocks. I discovered the wash away foundation paper at block 167/169 and did not like it.
I find that tearing the bits out onto a sheet of paper is less messy.  I have started to remove some of the papers before connecting the rows to make it easier, but have removed too much and lost the 1/4 inch seam line, so, I try to be careful.

 And the triangle is completed, almost.

 But first, must square it up using the special DJ triangle ruler.

 Not all the papers  make it into the trash bin  no matter how careful I am.

And that is DJ BR #5. It took about 3-3 1/2 hours since I only made a couple errors.
Blessings,
Chris