One of my favorite quilt shops, Life’s A Stitch, closed recently. When the news first came out I was absolutely shocked and at the same time completely heartbroken. Through my patronage of their establishment I had grown fond of the employees. So much so that I almost felt like we were friends.

The owner of Life’s A Stitch Quilt Shoppe was also a quilt pattern designer. She had a wonderful inventory of traditional type patterns. Her patterns were offered for sale under the name Washboard Quilts. Whether they are still available today I don’t know.

Quite sometime ago I purchased one of Washboard Quilts patterns called Four Score. I first came across it while shopping in the quilt shoppe. A sample of the quilt hung on display in a prominent area. The minute I walked inside the quilt caught my eye. I was drawn to the design like a magnet to metal. The pattern as well as the fabrics were so eye-catching.

Life’s A Stitch had kits put together for the pattern. While I absolutely loved the combinations they had chosen I wasn’t sure they would blend well with my decor. Instead I opted to make my own selections but not right then. As is often the case, the pattern sat in my TBS (To Be Started) basket. It languished there until my oldest daughter and I decided to join in on a day of sewing in Ripon, Wisconsin at a modern fabrics quilt store called Bungalow Quilting and Yarn. I took the pattern with me with the intention of purchasing fabric for the Four Score quilt.

My daughter and I had a blast pulling bolts of fabric from the shelves. Exactly how many different colors were needed I don’t recall. What I do remember is that we had stacks and stacks of bolts precariously perched trying not to topple them over. Something else I don’t remember is how much the fabric cost. That little tidbit is irrelevant because no matter how much the damage was I was pressing on with this train and not getting off the tracks.

The pattern itself was relatively easy to follow. The rows of quilt blocks are set on point. Getting use to putting them together was the trickiest part. I’m a fairly quick learner so mastering that technique was a fairly short learning curve. Before sewing the blocks into rows I laid them out on my living room floor. Through my talented discerning eye I was able to juggle blocks around forming what I thought was a very pleasing arrangement.

One of the Many Arrangements

In April of 2014 I packed up and moved our belongings to a new home. Before moving I frantically finished and quilted as many items as possible on my long-arm quilt machine. Not knowing how soon after moving in my machine would be reassembled and back in business I wanted to make certain all of my projects that were waiting as well as my customers quilts were done. The binding on my Four Score quilt was finished just days before we moved.

I’m so pleased with the quilt’s outcome. The quilt was made with my husband in mind. He retired after 30+ years in law enforcement. Throughout his career he was employed by several different departments. Many of the colors chosen reflect the colors of the uniforms he wore.

On June 8, 2015 I opened my Facebook account to a wonderful surprise. Earlier this spring I attended a Sew Day at Bungalow Quilting and Yarn, another one of my very favorite fabric stores. Taken with me was my finished Four Score quilt. I had been wanting to share my finished project with Judy, the owner of the shop. I knew she would want to see how the pile of fabrics had been used. While there she took a photo of myself and the quilt.

As any curious person would do, ever since that day I had been watching her site for my photo. There’s something about seeing the fruits of your labor shared with the world that makes you feel all giddy and excited. Well on June 8, 2015 I was absolutely thrilled to see, there in print, on the internet, MY quilt. You can see the post here.

Without further delay, here’s my Four Score quilt. Enjoy!

Vital Statistics:

• Quilt Size – 77″ x 91 3/4″
• Hours Spent Quilting – 14.75
• Number of Quilt Stitches Applied – 315,751
• Thread Used – Omni Goose & Perma Core Black
• Stitch Patterns Used – Swirls & Bubbles

Thanks for visiting!

Cindy @ In A Stitch Quilting