Four Year Quilt Update

I haven't worked on my quilt a whole lot this last year. Last year I'd nearly finished the quilt top. I finished it not long after sitting in a cozy cabin as men and women worshipped God all about me. What joy! Having it all as one piece at last was a great feeling. 

But then I didn't work on it for a few months. A house fire, a busy summer of work, personal writings, barefoot wanderings... a busy summer, too full to for my quilt. 

A lovely woman gave me a quilting rack. And one free summer day I asked my brothers to help me repair it and set it up across my couches. 

I ironed the top, they brought over some extra bits of wood and their drills, and we had a party.

Montana Wool Barn began their operation a few years ago. We used to attend church together, so when she heard I was searching for a wool batting... she gave me one! 

It was in many pieces. I whipstitched it together and made it fit over my white muslin, then pinned on my quilt top. 

This part was not easy. So much sweating, near-tears, sore arms, and stretched back! I stretched and pulled and had to buy more clamps 

(spent over $100 just on clamps 😂)

I really loved these days. I decided to just do the basic quilting all around the edge. I didn't like that it took up all my livingroom space, and I was planning on leaving state for a few months. I knew my little siblings would want to play under it... so it would have to come down only a short month after being up. 

Besides I couldn't reach the center 😅

I decided I would do the rest of the quilting as my great-grandmothers had quilted: with a large hoop.

 

  

Can you blame little ones wanting to play there... I may have lain underneath and read for a bit myself

This video is soo fun to watch! My little brother, Josiah, made it. I love the transformation. Half hour real time and I had my livingroom back. 

Love those lines!

Many more months later I bought a large hoop, and in February I began the final quilting once more. This time making certain my lines are all closer. 

I love my cozy workspace, and all the happenings of this livingroom. 

Until next year... shall I have it done by my five year mark? There's still a binding to sew on and lace to make and attach to the edges. Maybe it'll take six years... ;D