Thank you all for your very kind comments!
A whole-cloth quilt had been on my bucket list for years but finding the pre-printed tops can be a challenge. All I can suggest is that you ask around to your LQS and see if they can get them for you or do a search online and see if you can find one, if you are interested.
Last year when we were traveling in GA, we stopped in at a quilt store and she happened to have this top/kit. Some kits have the backing included, but this one only had the top and the binding, plus the care instructions.
That was perfect for me because I wanted a printed backing. This is the backing that I used:
http://www.equilter.com/cgi-bin/webc...04111349421.4d
When I have bound it and washed it I will post pictures that include the back.
I will attempt to answer some of the questions here:
1) it was quilted on a Hinterberg 3-roll floor quilting frame. My rollers are 120" long to accomodate these big quilts.
2) the original size was 90 X 90, but I added a 4" swag to each side to make it hang over the sides farther...making it 90 X 98"...or thereabouts. I'll know more when I trim and bind it.
3) the top is pre-printed. The blue will wash out. I used white thread for this, but wish I had used a white to gray to black varigated instead to help the stitching show up.
4) yes...we plan to use this on our bed. :) I make quilts to be used. Both of my kids LOVE my quilts and will treasure this one when I am gone. I've already had them make "dibs" on this one! LOL
5) I didn't keep track of the hours I put into this, but I have been working on it since Nov. 7th of last year. (I write down the date that I put tops into the frame.) Be aware that during this time, I have also made 4 other quilt tops and and have machine quilted 3 of them. The fourth one is the one that will go into the frame next to be hand quilted! :) So I haven't worked on this one exclusively during that time.
6) yes...this one was completely hand quilted. I average about 8 stitches to the inch. NO...my stitches are not perfect! But once it is washed and puckers, it is no longer important! :) DONE IS BETTER THAN PERFECT! :D
Again...thanks for all the kind comments! Be watching in about a week or so when I have it COMPLETELY FINISHED and washed, etc. By that time you all will be sick of seeing the pictures, as I have posted pictures along the way over the last 9 months of the progress! :D