A new project

 So I started a new project while I was in Yellowstone this summer.  I hauled my sewing machine along and started my first ever large quilt, queen size to be exact.

I searched for an easy beginner pattern and settled on "tumbling blocks".  It's a 3-D looking pattern and I chose solid fabrics in black, gray, and medium gray.  I really dislike the grandma style quilts with multiple flowered fabrics.  I do try to keep my house in the modern era rather than looking like it's stuck in the previous century.

Each block consists of three squares and there are 111 blocks--333 squares.  Add to that the 34 white pieces that go around the edges to make them straight and the 12 pieces used for the borders and that means this quilt contains 379 individual pieces.

Once all of that was assembled the quilt top was finished.  Sophie has been soooo helpful with the assembly of this quilt.

Next step was to go to the fabric store and pick out the backing.  Did you know that that there is now some fabric that comes in 108" width just for quilters?  No, I didn't either, but I'm very happy because that means I don't have to piece together the backing.  

I had to find a spot in my house that was big enough to lay out a 90x108" queen size quilt so I could build my quilt sandwich.  Backing, batting and then the quilt top.

My wonderful hubby even crawled down on the floor with me to make sure it was laying flat with no wrinkles while we used dozen of safety pins to hold it in place.  What a guy!

So you might think that assembling these 379 pieces might have been the most difficult part of this project, but no, it was the simplest part.  

My original intention was to send this off to a professional quilter who has a long-arm sewing machine to get it machine quilted.  I requested a few quotes and guess what--it was going to be about $350.  This is definitely not an heirloom quilt that will be passed down through the generations...it's likely to be thrown out after I leave this earth.  You know what that means, don't you?  This baby is getting hand quilted.  Each one of those pieces has to be outlined with hand stitching.  Yikes!

In the midst of all this I went to the doctor to find out why the knuckle in my right middle finger has been so painful.  She sent me straightaway for x-rays and then called me with the results.  Yep, degenerative arthritis.  The only thing that can be done is to control the pain with OTC meds and ice when it gets real bad.

I realize that at age 61 I shouldn't be surprised to have arthritis, but I wonder what the future holds.  I'm a retiree that is always on the go and has tons of hobbies, all of which involve my hands.  I've wondered if holding a paint brush for hours on end has rushed me to this place.  I think of all the retirees who don't have a single hobby other than TV watch or being busy bodies...I bet they have perfect hands.  At least I'm wearing my body out and living life doing the things I love.

I'll post an update when I finish the quilting and add the binding.  Could be two months from now or it could be two years from now.  Who knows?

What's your favorite hobby?