There's probably many different reasons that folks here quilt, and more than likely it's a combination of several reasons actually. I think the main reason I've gotten into it is because it's a creative outlet and one in which I don't feel so frustrated with the end result because of my own perceived inadequacy with it.

I used to paint many years ago (seems like another lifetime now), and won awards at it when entered in juried shows, but I never really felt comfortable with it. It was WORK to get it to where I felt it was tolerable to look at, and I destroyed a lot of canvases in frustration in the process. And I know where that "not good enough" thinking was seeded at, but that's another long story.

So, why do you quilt?

I love puzzles, and putting together all the little quilt pieces is like completing a puzzle. The bonus is that in the end you have something useful. I really enjoy the process of cutting up all the bits, then watching how the pattern emerges as they go back together.

I started quilting to make baby quilts for grandbabies.

I used to knit many years ago but my arms could not handle the repetitive motion. Then I dabbled in assorted arts and crafts. When we bought our house in '89 I decided that it needed a quilt .....and THAT, as they say WAS THAT.

I love the smell and feel of the fabric. I love the inspiration of the colors. I love the cutting apart and reassembling of the pattern and I adore watching the top come to life. My imagination is very visual and I usually see the project in my mind's eye long before it is done.

Advancing from the beginning Rail Fence to a Jacob's Ladder or a more advanced pattern is a personal challenge. Finishing a quilt and seeing the joy on the recipient's face is priceless.

I cannot imagine living without quilting. It keeps me sane. (sort of) LOL!

I quilt to carry on the tradition. My grandmother taught me, who was taught by her mom, who was taught by her mom who was taught by her mom.

My mother quilted later in her life and I loved going with her to pick out fabric - it took all day on my day off-. she made several quilts before she passed and we have those to hold on to. I never took any home ec classes but I have always wanted to quilt - so - when I retired, I taught myself and took some classes and now, don't feel complete unless I sew almost everyday. Quilting is very calming.

I started quilting after watching many shows on it and started thinking that "I can do that!" I had given up on crafts and handwork a number of years ago due to fibro and found that I CAN be creative in quilting!! Once I started I fell in love with the whole process 8) 8) 8)

It helps me be creative and use my brain so it doesn't turn to mush :lol: . Plus it is a huge stress reliever for me, I call it my "therapy" :lol:

And one more reason, I love to give gifts!

I have been sewing for a long time ( well, long time for me, I'm only 27) I used to make my clothes because everything was always too big, even as a child/teen, now I mostly do alterations. I also paint, I mostly work with watercolour and I do portraits, I took fine arts in college and have my DEC, and now my real job is painting cars... I guess you could say that I'm creative and pretty artistic.

I started quilting last year. Actually, my best friend, who was very very sick, was getting ready for a long hospital stay, and I was looking for activities and things for us to do together, and that she could do alone while I wasn't there, and I came across quilting. My plan was to make a friendship quilt, each of us was to make 6 different blocks, two of each, so we would both have a quilt made by the two of us. I started practicing, looking up patterns and ideas, and well, it all just took off. We never did get that quilt made, but I went over often and taught her lots of watercolour techniques, and we're going to make tote bags this summer, to use as beach bags.
She also wants to try quilting, she's always so excited to see what project happen to be working on, I think I may eventually have another quilter, lol!
My mother taught me how to sew, and now I'm teaching her about quilting, I think that's fair :P

A few years ago, after the death of my beloved grandmother, while cleaning out her home, I found 6 bow-tie squares in her linen closet. they were hand stitched and made from feed sacks. Being only a grand daughter I wasn't in line to get any of her quilts, but I did get these blocks. I brought them home and looked at them for awhile. then, I decided to buy material and turn them into a small quilt. And that's how it began for me. Touching those hand sewn blocks, and loving them, a quilter was born in my heart. I still have those squares, made into a small top.I have yet to quilt it. always thinking I will add something to it,someday.Once I made that first cut of the fabric, there was no going back. I am just an old fashioned quilter. Loving the old patterns, and hand quilting. There is no rhyme or reason to what we do. But there is a lot of joy and satisfaction in the finished product. I have never made a quit without mistakes, always striving for that perfect point or square! :D :D

I have always loved quilts, always loved the feel, the smell and the history of them. Never once did I think I could make one though. They just seemed to far out of my reach of my capabilities.
Then one day I decided to try and it didn't come out to badly...so I made another one... and so on.... I find it's such a great stress reliever for me too... Also it keeps me always thinking of what I need to do next or how I want to do it which keeps my brain on the active side.