Hope’s Journey

It’s here! It’s here! It’s finally here! As soon as I spotted this book online I knew I had found my New Year’s project. I ordered it almost immediately and have been waiting ever so patiently (not) for it to arrive. Just in case you are on the fence about purchasing another quilt book for that overwhelming collection already crammed on your book shelves, I’m here to give you a shove off that fence.

Hope’s Journey by Betsy Chutchian is even more wonderful than I imagined and I’m so excited to begin this project on January 1st, 2019. The book is broken down into twelve chapters and would make a wonderful group project, set up as a block of the month. The blocks are various sizes (a huge appeal to me), making for a unique setting opportunity in the final construction of the quilt, and instructions are given for various finishing options in both size and layout. One of the biggest surprises in the book, however, is the wonderful collection of mini quilts, one per chapter, which alone is worth the price of the book. Not only are the projects beautiful, but each chapter has a well written introduction filled with the history of many courageous women pioneers and their journeys across the wilderness to new homes, with Betsy providing a reference list for further reading.

This is a lovely book that I highly recommend adding to your library, even if you only purchase one new quilting book in the next year, let it be this one.

Betsy Chutchian says it best – “Hope is the name of every woman and girl who left her home to embark on a journey of uncertain outcome.” This speaks to each and every one of us as women and as quilters. Let your journey begin now…

as always, carol xox