Ta Da Dear Jane Finish......finally

Well last week on Thursday, October 16......I pulled my bent needle through all the layers of my Dear Jane for the last time. In that moment, I received my PhD in quilting. I didn't go to any institution to receive it, but if you can execute this project and complete it, in my book we have earned it!  I must say I did it with a sigh of relief and the moment was rather anti-climatic.  Over the last couple months, I just wanted this project done and I was ready to move on to other things instead of spending about 2 hours every morning stitching on "Her."

I don't think these pictures do it justice.....as I don't have a place to photograph something this big.......it does look wonderful and the hand quilting added so much to it!  That is what kept me going on it, to see the transformation of each block......beautiful!

I have no idea how some of you have done the whole quilt several times over.....you're killing me!  I have no desire to do that at all.  Been there done that.....ready to do something else!  But kuddos to you that have the stamina to do that!

Right now she is in the quilt rack waiting for her label, which I think I will work on after posting this blog.

Note: This picture was taken before the whole top was quilted.

My goal was to have this quilt totally done sometime during the 150th Anniversary of the Civil War, which meant having it done by April 9, 2015.  Civil War Ends .......eye witness accounts for your perusal.  I am thrilled to have met that accomplishment.  What I personally really love about this quilt, in being able to honor those in our families that fought, North or South, in this conflict.  Both the Silver Fox and I have ancestors that represented both sides.  I think I inked about 25 names.  Did you know that Iowa in the Civil War had the most men serve in proportion to the state's population than any other state?  A little trivia for you!  But the men from our family did not live in Iowa at the time of the civil war.

 The corner signature block......In the Spirit of Jane A. Stickle.

 Henry L. Leach was one of my husband's ancestors.  And see the star by his name, that tells me he is a grandfather, not an uncle or cousin.  G-5 Poof is your challenge for this week.....get to it!

 This is the only picture I have with me in it.  A little hard to do without friends to help and you can't see mine!  Robin and Karan are hiding to hold this baby up and it is a heavy quilt.....lots of pieces, means lots of seam allowances.  This was taken two weeks ago at a retreat I attended at the Grout museum.  So it was not quite done, but while I attended, I got my two blocks done each day......a lady on a mission!

Here we are in all our glory! 

 Done is better than perfect!

But I think she is just perfect, but I might be a little bit bias!  :)