Sojourner, a finished quilt

This was a fun one,

and I am so so pleased with how it turned out!!

Back in April,

Billie told me she'd like to order a quilt.

That started off a flurry of messages,

and sending links back and forth

so I could get a feel for what she liked.

We ended up choosing Kathleen's Gypsy Wife quilt

as inspiration.

I thought at the time

that it was not an actual Gypsy Wife,

because her fabric choices 

made it look so different from all of the others I'd seen

but Hydee assures me it does follow the pattern.

Not knowing that, though, 

I drew up my own pattern /map.

I told Tyler and Brandon during a brain storming session

that I wanted a name that was similar to Gypsy Wife

but more appropriate for this quilt

and for Billie and Andy,

and when somebody tossed out 'sojourner',

I knew we'd found it.

You see,

Andy and Billie are currently living in Bosnia

teaching English,

using the Bible.

Not only are they currently literally sojourning,

they live their entire lives

with a Kingdom focus,

as if this earth is not their home,

so the name was doubly perfect.

I ordered lots of fabric

and even ordered a couple of jelly rolls for greater variety

(there are at least 156 different fabrics in this quilt!)

and started piecing on May 23rd,

not long after finishing up my niece's epic quilt.

I finished the 64 x 80 inch top in mid July

and then sewed the backing.

We went with a wool batting and lawn backing

to produce an exceptionally luscious quilt

and I basted the layers together with Lily's help

in late July.

I didn't actually start on the quilting until mid September

because I quilted Sparkle first,

so I could give it to my sister sooner

and also so I could just get in more quilting practice.

Using a quilt of Kathleen's as inspiration

was rather intimidating!

I'd already told Billie that my quilting

wasn't going to look anywhere near as good as Kathleen's,

but still, I didn't want her dissappointed,

ya know?!

I watched videos

and practiced practiced practiced

a whole bunch of new to me quilting motifs.

And then,

to make sure I was ready,

I made a whole practice quilt.

All of that paid off,

and I am ridiculously proud 

of the quilting on this one!

I feel like I have grown so much as a quilter this year,

even though I was sooo busy with building 

that I only made a few quilts.

I know that Angela Walters says

that seam ripping doesn't make you a better quilter,

so you should never un-do your quilting,

but I unpicked quite a few 

less than excellent lines of quilting anyways.

It might not make me a better quilter,

but it makes the quilt better,

so it makes me a happier quilter.

And that's better ~ right?

Because I love adding scripture to quilts,

I quilted in 2 verses;

"How beautiful are the feet of them that bring good news"

and

Psalm 146:9

"The Lord watches over the sojourners."

How perfect is that?!

I love the image of God himself

watching over my friends.

My photographer friend, Lisa,

 was going to take pictures of this beauty for me

but I wasn't done with it at the appointed time : /

I finished sewing on the binding

about 26 hours

 before they were going to be picking up the quilt.

(and still had to make the label!)

Even though it wasn't done done,

all washed and crinkly,

the sun was out,

so I threw it down in a spot of sun 

got a few pics with my phone,

then grabbed the boys

and told them to grab something to stand on

and we quickly ran out in the 15 degree weather

and snapped a few more pictures.

I made the label after everyone was in bed,

sewed it on yesterday,

tossed it in the wash

and pulled it out of the dryer

about 10 minutes before Billie messaged me

that they were on their way.

Cutting it a bit close, eh?!

Sojourner was a joy to make

and I am so happy to get to make a quilt

for such precious people,

and to start the year off

giving a couple of machines

to Rahab's Rope!

Andy and Billie - we love ya!

Thanks for being such wonderful examples of love and generosity.

Thanks for partnering with me.

Oh, and Billie - you know how you said India

is becoming more closed to missionaries?

That's where our machines are going.

💗

linking up with Crazy Mom Quilts