A great question and love reading all the responses!
It is so exciting to see so many people, young, old and MEN too who quilt. The internet has really helped I think cuz of all the resources, free video tutorials and free patterns, help from quilt boards like this. I just wish I had started quilting at an earlier age but guess things happen in life for a reason. I also didn't have the time till I was semi-retired, and now retired.
I've never been a sewer, definitely NOT by hand and used my sewing machine for mending. Didn't have the patience for making clothes, found that out when I took a sewing class that came with my new Kenmore machine hubby got me after we got married 41 yrs ago. First time I had to rip and redo I quit, LOL. Dum dum but hey I was only 20.
Now I can't get my 3 adult girls to sew, maybe one day. But I am delighted to make place mats, mug rugs and quilts for them.
Oh and I agree that quilting is ART. And hey we have to indulge our addiction to fabric shopping, so it is also good for us psychologically, right?