I used to sew all of my ex's and boy's shirts, and most of my own clothing too. My ex's mother was a quilter, and the first quilt I made was one for my mother's birthday...a friendship quilt where I cut and sent out blank white 12 inch squares for folks to "do whatever" on and sign...Got 49 wonderful blocks back with all sorts of different things...embroidery, painting, photos...put them together with sashing, tied it and Mom loved it!! That was in 1984...my next experience was in the early 90's when I made a feathered star wall hanging, again for my mother...no one told me that I wasn't experienced enough to do that, or the Mariner's Compass that followed it...they turned out great!
I also made a Kaleidoscope quilt about that same time. That was the last of my quilting until this year...I'm so glad to be back to it!! :)