I guess way back when, it started because i really had no money to buy gifts at Birthdays or Christmas for my large, extended family....but i could make them something pretty and useful and uniquely theirs. I still want that - but there's a lot of therapy involved as well. I have a very stressful job - and sitting at my machine - creating - it just relaxes me and makes me feel good. I said it in another post a while ago -- i'll never write the great American novel, paint like DaVinci, compose a symphony, etc, etc - but maybe someone i love - or someone i don't even know - will feel warm and comfy using one of my quilts after i am long gone.