In order to match the vision and quilting plan that I have for Pulsar, I have been consistently putting in 2-4 hour days of quilting 4-6 days of the week for 6 weeks; and it’s not quite finished yet.

Pulsar Quilting – 1 Week
The first week of quilting was all about changing thread colors and establishing the boundary for the radiating, pulsing star in the background. I opted to quilt the entire quilt with my walking foot, and instead of traveling overtop of any previously quilted lines, I am starting and stopping and burying lots (and lots, and lots, and lots…) of thread tails.
Each chevron and the center star were first outlined with a matching thread color (Aurifl 2120, 2145, 2277, and 2460) and then 5 lines of echo quilting were added at approximately 1/2″ spacing. The pulsing star in the background is also at that same 1/2″ spacing.

Pulsar Quilting – 2 Weeks
The second week saw the background of the first two background stars getting filled in with 1/2″ spaced lines. This is the point when I ordered side threading needles and 2 more large spools of Aurifil 2784 (Dark Navy) thread. I think in the end I won’t need the third spool, but it’s going to be close.
Special thanks to my husband for holding up the quilt for me each week so that I could take these photos and so that I could stand back and get a better perspective.

Pulsar Quilting – 3 Weeks
Week 3 is when the reality of how long this is going to take set in. I was able to get all of the 3rd star and the first two sections of the outer edges complete at 1/2″ spacing.
You might be wondering what I mean about how long it is going to take (and what’s this about 6+ weeks??) as it looks nearly done here. Well, my plan was always to make the background quilting more dense than the spacing of the radiating/pulsing stars so that they are more obvious. At this point, I realized going to full matchstick (1/8″ spacing or less) was not going to happen. I was just hoping I had the stamina to get it all down to ~1/4″ spacing.

Pulsar Quilting – 4 Weeks
At the end of week 4, I was freshly invigorated. All the basting pins were removed from the quilt top and the central/first background star is quilted to ~1/4″ spacing. I was pretty excited to see the visual change that increase in density made.

Pulsar Quilting – 5 Weeks
I really dug in and got a lot done in week 5: all of the background second star and almost a quarter of the third star were doubled up in density. In the areas where both sides of the 1/2″ space lines that create the background radiating/pulsing star have the quilting doubled up to 1/4″, it is much more visible, hooray!
Also, as I am writing the post I am realizing that the quilt is rotated 90-degrees in every photograph. I guess I need to figure out which way I really want to be up: with the center background quilting lines running vertically or horizontally? My original plan showed them as horizontal.

Pulsar Quilting – 6 Weeks
I wasn’t expecting to get as much done in week 6; I got my second COVID19 vaccine in the middle of the week. However, I was able to complete all of the doubling up of the background third (and largest) star.
Based on my progress, I’m thinking I’ll have all the quilting completed in week 7, so I’m tentatively planning on releasing the Pulsar pattern on May 28th. Fingers crossed that I can get the quilting, binding, and pattern all wrapped up between now and then. Wish me luck!
What’s the longest you’ve ever spent quilting a quilt?
Love the quilting on this one, Yvonne!!
Wishing you luck on reaching your goal. I loved the rotating orientation, perfect for a pulsating star!
Absolutely beautiful!
Barb
You are conquering that quilting! Sometimes it is best to have these realistic plans that get you to the goal, even though slower than we like. Hooray for your second shot and feeling ok enough to quilt!
I love it. Great job. I enjoy you explaining the process. Have a great day!
It is looking amazing! I love densely quilted quilts although they are a LOT of work. Isn’t removing the last of the basting pins such a feel good moment?!!!
I love this quilt! Very striking!
A beautiful job of quilting. That is a lot of hours invested in this project. Good thing your husband is tall because it allows you to shoot some really great photos. Thank you for sharing your progress. Hope you reach your goal. Do you think you will need to block the quilt when you are done? If so, how will you do that in your small house?
I love it!! The answer to your question is: I would have given in and used a long-arm machine by now or just never started the quilting out of fear! 😉 You do beautiful work and I love the color choices you used on this quilt. (your orchids are lovely too; I’m envious)
I don’t even remember for sure how long I’ve quilted quilts but I think the longest is probably 2-3 weeks. I really admire your giving this one time, though, as it just keeps getting better and better with the added density. Best to you on reaching your goal!
I can only admire your application/dedication! My quilts take months, of course, but I have never put in so many hours over such an extended period. What you are achieving looks amazing though, so keep it up .
Pulsar is a labor of love. I am pleasantly surprised that you took so many “in the works” pictures and none of them have stray threads. My quilting is more functional than ornamental 🙂 By the time I get to quilting I am already itching to start the next one.
Hello Yvonne. I never post online comments, but this quilt is really beautiful, design, colors, and quilting. ❣️❣️❣️ Thank you for sharing it.
This is just beautiful Yvonne! I made a wedding quilt for a really good friend a number of years ago and the quilting took me weeks to do, but I was only spending 5 or 6 hours on it each week.