Block 9 Virtuous Wife free BOM...

 

Today I have the free pattern for block 9 of our Virtuous Wife quilt project to share with you. 

Proverbs 31:22

“She makes coverings for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple.”

This verse describes another aspect of the wifely duties of our Proverbs 31 woman, how she chooses to make clothing and coverings from the best materials she could afford. The further we get into Proverbs 31 through this study, the more we grasp just how many necessary skills our woman has gained and put into practice as she goes about her business, day by day caring for her home and family.

In a time when the ordinary family had only a few items of clothing, this wife put great thought and effort into what was made, for indeed, most clothing was made at home by women. Today we can drop into the store to buy a new dress, or a warm cardigan, and wear it that very day…but to hand sew items (and often weave the cloth as well) for every family member, well, that’s a commitment, and a skill, rarely seen anymore.

I do not make my own clothes, though I did sew and knit for all my children when they were young. I learned to sew on a machine when I was in high school, and enjoyed sewing dresses and nightgowns for my girls, and dungarees and overalls for my boys. Knitting was my real love though. As soon as I discovered my first child was on the way, it was to balls of yarn, pattern books and tortoiseshell needles that I turned. I did most of this out of delight rather than necessity, but I’m happy to have learned those skills because should a time arise when choice turns to true need, I can make essential items to cover us.

Making and creating for ourselves, our family and our home, is etched upon our hearts I do believe; it is a God-given desire to nurture, nourish and protect. Making isn’t just sewing and knitting though. Making a home is by far the greater skill, and when attended to with care your home becomes a different type of covering. It is -

·        a sanctuary where those within feel safe and secure in familiar surroundings;

·        the door where open arms are the first port of call for a loved one in need of comfort or a welcome home embrace;

·        the table where a lovingly prepared meal becomes another way to say I love you, for food can truly be the way to someone’s heart;

·        a place where the example of Christ is taught in how we speak, how we act, what we believe and what we turn away from.

·        an escape from the world’s chaos, where we can talk from the heart and be heard, and in turn we can be quiet and listen.

·        a place where we are loved for who we are.

Home is a God-gifted ‘covering’ for His people, and we should be mindful of just how precious a gift that is for ourselves, and all those in our care. 

At age 64 I'm still honing my homemaker heart in thought, attitude, humility and action, and I daresay shall continue in learning mode until my eyes close on this earthly life - but that's exactly what God wants of me, and of you...that the things of this world will increasingly grow strangely dim, the longer we set our desires to living our lives to His glory, in our hearts and in our homes. 

Use the link below to download this free pattern.

DOWNLOAD Block Nine

If you have missed any of the previous blocks (with accompanying studies) they are HERE

God bless you so very much!

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