Old-Fashioned (sort of) Quilting Bee

I have always resisted the urge to quilt. Oh, the delight of picking the pattern, matching fabrics, and then bringing home the purchases is most tempting. But I always get stuck on the learning process and the space issues with quilting. I invariably conclude the pros and cons with, "I don't want to take on another craft, and all that goes with it."

So, today when one of my knitting buddies made a "911" call to some of us to help out a friend, I said, "I don't think she wants my help, I've never quilted." Turns out it was a tied quilt and it was our friend's graduation gift to a granddaughter and she had today (Wednesday) until Friday to get it finished, with a break tonight for a quick trip to another grandchild's baseball game. She had it out on her antique quilting frame and was running out of time.

Total, she had the help of 3 of us and we got well over half the tying done in just one afternoon. Plus, we had a blast together, laughing, instructing, helping, and, of course, eating. The quilting host must have figured she better keep the troops full of food so we'd work better, so she heated up a wonderful casserole and served it with a "heap of fruit."

I could really see the benefit of the old-fashioned quilting bee in young U.S.A.. When families moved west where their homesteads were spread out, people didn't see others often. Women need the friendship of other women and when they could get together for a quilting bee, they were accomplishing the task of keeping their families warm, all the while sharing, laughing, probably sometimes crying, eating. And bonding. It was like that for us today. With the help of microwaves, indoor plumbing and cars to get us together quickly. We had a great time and I wouldn't be opposed to doing it again. 

But I'm still quite resolute about not taking on the hobby of quilting, despite how beautiful this tied quilt is.

P.S. I have some knitting projects to report. Next time.

UPDATE: The three of us helpers went back today, two days later, just before the quilter was to head out for the graduation, to see the final result - the finished quilt off the frame. It is glorious. Here's a photo: