I am the accidental quilter.
I had been invited to get together with some friends one Sunday afternoon. "Judy is going to teach us how to quilt" I said I'd go along to socialize, but that I was NOT interested in learning anything to do with sewing. I had avoided that for all my life and I didn't intend to change at that point.
Well, needless to say I did participate that afternoon. Then I decided I needed to finish what I had started so I did a little more when I got home. I did own a sewing machine my mother had bought me for my college graduation - a Singer featherweight and I did at least know how to thread it.
Before you know it, I was into the "stuff gathering" mode. I needed tools, right? And more fabric? I couldn't run to Judy's house for everything.
At that time in my life I was making good money and I was more than willing to spend it too. Before you know, I had a full supply of everything: A new, better sewing machine, a cutting table with two huge mats, LOTS of fabric. Mind you that very little sewing was taking place, but I was having fun!
Had to try out the new sewing machine, so occasionally I would make a block or two to try them out. I also got so I actually made an entire quilt - baby-sized, mitered corners on the borders.
What interested me about the whole thing up to this point was the geometry. I loved the shapes and how things fit together. (Can you guess I loved playing with a Spirograph as a young girl?)
Mostly I just tinkered for the next 4-5 years. Then a couple of years ago I was invited to go do an all day sew-in. (Invitations are dangerous for me LOL)Again I thought I would go more for the socializing and once again I actually sewed, planned, and got into an entire project. Most of what I had learned up to this point had been on my own, just playing around. But that day at the sew-in was totally different with all the people who were willing to help me out with all sorts of things.
So now I've been going to the sew-in once a month for two years and wouldn't miss it for anything. I of course do plenty of quilting at home too. Another new machine for me a few months ago too. Somewhere in there I inherited my mother's machine too. She's still living, but hadn't used it for years. So now I have two Singers: my Featherweight, and a 301a mom bought new, my Brother which I used at the sew-ins for a year and half, and now my beloved Pfaff.
I am still pretty slow with it all because I want it all to be perfect when I am done. I've picked up some other days of sewing also, so now I have about 4 days a month at the store and the rest at home. Someday I may get faster, but I will know I will be the eternal beginner.
AND I now avoid invitations! I don't have time for anything else.