I am neither a quilter nor a knitter, however there would be no shame if I was. Former NY Giants and LA Rams legend Rosey Greer famously told how he crocheted, knit, did needlepoint and macramé. “In 1972, Grier wrote Rosey Grier’s Needlepoint for Men, a book that was published by Walker and Company on January 1, 1973.”1
Since today is National Quilting Day, I thought I’d share some thoughts about this creative hobby. First, it is considerably different than knitting. “The knitting technique is a process of interlocking loops of yarn creating a tightly woven mesh net of fabric. Yarn is looped around the needles, then pulled through into a stitch, joining the rest of the material in the fabric. Knitting was invented during the fifth century in Egypt and the Middle East. Egyptians would knit cotton into clothing articles. Knitting looms were invented in 1816 and they sped up the production process for knitted materials, making fabrics available to clothiers in greater quantity, quality, and variability…
“Quilting is a method of sewing where you stitch multiple rows of stitches using thread into two layers of the fabric of your choice. In between these layers, there is commonly found to be a layer of plushy material or insulating material.” 2
Quilters will typically have fabric squares laid out, ready to be joined together. Geometrical patterns and squares are meticulously aligned to create some of the most amazing, beautiful pieces. A trip into any Amish country will lead to several stores where pieces of quilted art will be available for purchase.
It’s not uncommon for a genuine Amish quilt to cost $1,500 or more. The vintage color
splash quilt is $2,500. While the price seems excessive, remember that a handmade Amish quilt can take 3 to 4 months (500 to 700 hours) to complete.3 Do the math! They are only making between $3.57 – $5.00 per hour – that was minimum wage in the 1980s-90s.
The first time we see any “knitting” in the Bible is in Judges 20:11. “So all the men of Israel were gathered against the city, knit together as one man.” Another instance occurs in 1 Samuel 18:1. “And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.”
By definition, this wasn’t “knitting.” It was quilting. Two fabrics or more are joined together as one.
As you walk into Amish country, beautiful quilts will be hung from the walls like tapestry. It is their artwork. The same is true as we go to church today. We are going to surrounded by the beauty of God’s quilted tapestry. Let the final two passages today cause you to walk 
into church with an awe of how God could have put such mismatched pieces of fabric together into one gigantic quilt.
Again, by definition, these verses show us quilting at its best.
Colossians 2:1-2 For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; (2) That their hearts might be comforted, being knit [quilted] together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;
Colossians 2:19 And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit [quilted] together, increaseth with the increase of God.
1https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosey_Grier
2https://measurebytheyard.com/quilting-vs-knitting/
3https://amishspirit.com/order-amish-quilts-online/
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