Sunny, I'm with you. ( Sunny asked: Why didn't I just take up gambling
online? Or maybe metal work. Or bonsai plants????)
That's a heap of creating (and weight!).
The only slick trick I remember from the one fleece quilt with a real
pattern was to place the pieces side by side and zigzag them together. That
prevents a lot of bulk/struggle with the seams. I'm thinking your Janome
can do a rather wide zig.
Not much help, I know. Polly