Pippa has the patience of several saints! I did a small wallhanging wholecloth as a wedding gift several years. Been there, done that and I don't have to do it again. I do love looking at them and appreciate all that time and talent.

Pippa's blog is one of my favourites and I love her pictures and what she writes about the quilts. I really recommend to everybody who is interested about the history of British wholecloths.

I agree and "earthy" fits perfectly to that kind of quilts and their history. They are striking.

My first quilt was a whole cloth. I was so green that I didn't even know they were called that. I bought 2 white sheets and batting and combined 2 designs I had and kind of went with it. It took me 3 years to finish. Single parent, working, etc. I still love anything hand quilting. Your stitches will even out after a while so don't stress, just relax and enjoy it. :lol:

I always and still do think that wholecloth quilts are very beautiful and very beyond my skills. But I would dream of doing one.

My dad's cousin has done a number of whole quilt tops. I really wish I had bought one when I was there to see her. They are beautiful, and she used a variety of stitiches.

If you are interested in history of wholecloths, look at this article:

http://www.quiltersmuse.com/wholecloth_quilts3.htm

Yes, there was a cottage industry in the North of England in the 1800's where quilt stampers would mark a cloth for other people to quilt.
I have a beautiful book by Maggi McCormick Gordon called "The Quilter's Resource Book" which is a pictoral history of quilting traditions from around the world, and it includes many pictures of quilts now in museums. There is a section on whole cloth quilts, including a review of the northcountry stampers and pictures of their work. I'm not sure if the book is still available, but it is worth looking at, even if only in your local library.

I also wanted to do a whole cloth. So, I did. It turned out great and I won a first place ribbon in our QuiltFest. But, it was a 18 x 18 inches. HA HA It also let me know I don't want to do a bedsize. Good luck , with whatever you decide.

I am trying to learn to hand quilt. Right now I'm just practicing my stitches on a quilt sandwhich. Still trying. Good luck.