In 1863, during the American Civil War, Jane Stickle of Vermont, USA, made a
                          quilt.  Not an ordinary quilt - Jane's quilt was, and is, a masterpiece of the
                          quiltmaker's art.  Jane used miniature blocks, tiny pieces, unusual designs and
                          shapes and finished her creation with a border of elaborately pieced triangles.

                          Jane's original quilt can be seen at the Bennington Museum in Vermont, or by
                          clicking here to go to the Dear Jane website.

                          In 1996, Brenda Manges Papadakis of Indianapolis, Indiana, wrote a book.  Not
                          an ordinary book - Brenda's book is special.  Brenda took Jane's original quilt and
                          began drafting patterns for the 169 blocks and 56 triangles in Jane's quilt.  While
                          she was doing that, she became fascinated with Jane herself and began researching
                          her life and times.  The book, "Dear Jane", is made up of Brenda's moving letters
                          to Jane and the drafted patterns for the blocks.

                          Brenda's son, Michael, set up a website to promote his mother's book and interest
                          and established a "small" mailing list for people interested in reproducing Jane's
                          quilt and discussing aspects of the quilt.

                          In the three years since I signed up to the Dear Jane mailing list, it has grown from
                          a handful of quilters to a thriving community of over 500 people (men and women).
                          We have been through births, deaths (of members and of family members) and
                          weddings, supported each other through hard times, encouraged each other through
                          difficulties and rejoiced with each other in happy times.

                          My Dear Jane quilt would never have been finished without the support of this
                          community and this quilt is dedicated to Jane Stickle, Brenda Papadakis and the
                          ladies and gentlemen of the Dear Jane Internet Community

                          Our Dear Jane list has a tradition that when you reach a major milestone, and
                          finishing this quilt is such a milestone, then Snoopy dances for you.  So Snoopy
                          is dancing.

                          Another tradition of the Dear Jane list is the exchange of signature squares
                          between members.  So far, five such swaps have been arranged, and I have
                          joined in four of those.  This photo was taken of my signature quilt at a time
                           when I had sewn together blocks from three swaps (the fourth still has to be
                          put together).  As you can see, it is bigger than Jane herself, and is a much
                          treasured memento of my friends from the Dear Jane list.