Dear Jane, Dear Hannah

If you're a quilter, you probably know all about the Dear Jane® quilt and maybe Dear Hannah as well. The 1863 Jane A. Stickle quilt was made famous by Brenda Papadakis, who coined the term Dear Jane® and chronicled each of its 225 blocks. We've featured many inspired reproductions on this site!

Brenda also created Dear Hannah, a sampler quilt done in the style of Dear Jane® but with a unique twist. Here are some beautiful quilts from a recent show - including two made by a single quilter!

My Dear Jane #2 by Roberta Wagner, quilted by Clem Buzick  

Here is Roberta Wagner's stunning contemporary Dear Jane quilt.  She explains: "While attending the Minnesota Quilt show several years ago I was blown away at the variety of Dear Jane quilts, and each one was more beautiful than the next. I made the traditional quilt blocks, and at the same time a second quilt with bright colors on a black background. Hence, Dear Jane 1 and 2." 

 My Dear Jane #1 by Roberta Wagner, quilted by Clem Buzick  

Here is Roberta's more traditional Dear Jane®, with the tiny blocks done on a bright white background. Clem Buzick longarm quilted tall triangles in the wide border as a nod to the triangle blocks of Jane A. Stickle's original quilt. 

Roberta based her quilts on Brenda Papadakis' Dear Jane® pattern book, along with patterns by Susan Gatewood; and the Dear Jane Beginner Block List by Ann Foss.   

Hannah's Journey by Susan Cox, quilted by Jessica Jones  

This quilt turned out beautifully with its bright colors! The yellow ribbon denotes a 3rd Place award in the Mixed Technique - Duet/Large category at this show. Based on Brenda Papadakis' Dear Hannah book, Susan Cox says that Hannah's Journey was a journey in many ways: "A journey that ended with miles traveled, new friendships and a quilt that I love."

Image credits: Photos were taken by Quilt Inspiration at the 2026 Quilt Arizona show. NOTE:  Quilt Inspiration is an Amazon Associate, meaning we earn a small commission from any sales that arise from a link on this page.  Thank you for your support of Quilt Inspiration.

Hexagon Quilt Inspiration

Today's post is inspired by some outstanding hexagon quilts we've seen over the last few years.  The hexagon shape is so versatile, it can be used to create flowers, diamonds, tumbling blocks, and even pixel quilts (check out the Hexie Hummingbird, below !)

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Hexie Hummingbird No. 2, 42 x 36", by Gail L. Weiss

Gail L. Weiss created her original design, Hexie Hummingbird No. 2, with 474 one-half-inch English Paper Pieced Hexies!  This quilt is hand pieced, appliqued and quilted with fine silk thread on the Hummingbird, and with #12 Perle Cotton for the background.  Gail describes Hexie Hummingbird as "A quilt that makes me happy!"

You can find a pattern for this quilt, and for more of Gail Lizette's wonderfully creative works, at her website (click here: gaillizette.com.)

Lupines by Karen McCarty

Winner of a ribbon for third place in the Applique - Solo category at the 2020 Quilt Arizona show, Lupines was inspired by a photo which Karen McCarty took in Ushuaia, Argentina, in 2014.  She says, "I knew that someday it would be a quilt. Just needed to find a way to make those tiny hexies."  We admire Karen McCarty's excellent technique and the many artistic details, including tiny bead embellishments.

City by Crystal Bray

Inspired by Libs Elliott's "Weight of Love" quilt, this quilt combines whole hexagons and hexagons divided into 60-degree triangles, radiating from light to dark, creating a 3-dimensional appearance. Crystal Bray says that she pieced hexies by the values in the Hoffman City fabric (shown below), hence the quilt title, City.  This quilt "reads" modern without being overtly minimalist... we love the look!

Oranges, Lemons and Limes - Oh My!  by Lynn G. Kough

Made by Lynn G. Kough, a member of the Arizona Quilters Hall of Fame, and exhibited in 2015, this quilt is a whimsical celebration of citrus in Arizona.  The fragrance of citrus blossoms is a beloved scent in the Valley [of the Sun] and throughout Arizona's warmer regions.  Small and large hexagons combine to create a lively mixture of lime green, orange, and lemon yellow hues. 

Diamonds Are Forever by Susan Cox, quilted by Jessica Gamez

Bright colors in many different hues create the sparkling diamond-shaped emblems in this beauty. Winner of a second place ribbon in the Scrap Quilt category, Diamonds Are Forever is made up of 4066 hexies. Susan Cox created this heirloom quilt using the traditional English Paper Piecing technique and many, many hours of work -  a true labor of love.

Image credits: Photos were taken by Quilt Inspiration at the 2020 Quilt Arizona show (Lupines), the 2015 Quilt Arizona show (Oranges, Lemons and Limes), the 2018 Road to California quilt show (Hexie Hummingbird), the 2018 Quilt Arizona show (City), and the 2019 Quilt Arizona show (Diamonds Are Forever).