Simply Quilting and my daughter got me going.
My grandmother quilted and she made two quilts for us. I was not close to her so did not pick up anything from her.
My mother did not sew. A friend of hers had no daughters and she taught me to read a pattern and sew. (I still rememerber that first black courderoy skirt.)
I made the majority of my clothes until I became a Mom and them made the most darling outfits for my daughter.
Then she grew and did not want my stuff any longer!
Fast forward many years when daughter is off on her own. I began taping and watching Alex and her guests - that was a wonderful show and still beats anything on now. I would say to my daughter that when I retired I wanted to quilt. One day when she was home she said that it was nuts to wait and we are starting right now. We went to Sears and bought Kenmores and went to Joannes and started that day. She (the mathematical genius) figured out an Irish chain for me and off I went.
Years and a few machines later I quilt when I can (still working - sigh) and just absolutely love it. I think it is for many of the same reasons others have mentioned. Quilting and reading and voluteering are my hobbies and I cannot wait until I retire.