About the thread continuing, it will go on as long as people need/want it. Last time I dropped out of the thread and sewing back in December and I didn't pick it up again until maybe Valentines? It was well after the reveal that I did the string piecing. Those months are still sort of foggy... so I got the Grassy Creek top done right about Easter. While the majority had completed, there were still some of us working away and/or needing the nudge to work.
And then I posted again when I got the top quilted, that was... September/October. For me, that's a pretty speedy turnaround from being pieced to quilted. Often tops languish for years before the quilting begins.
For me, once the top is done I have to start packing up my sewing room and house in earnest. I'm hoping to be unpacked and ready for a project in time for next year!