Thanks Sally, I should confess that I'm 60 now and still just love textiles of all sorts and when I was going through college (both times, starting in my teens/20s and then finishing in my 40s) when I had to write papers it was amazing how I could use quilting in particular or textiles in general so I do have some book learning under my belt from history to manufacturing to all sorts of things. I'm certainly not the only person who believes that the modern industrial revolution including computers (as well as various social issues too) all comes from the desire for the miracle fiber of cotton.
It's been a life-long fascination and I've gone through some definite phases
Starting when I did just before the rotary revolution and then being able to ride the wave, and especially here in Seattle where we were a quilting hotbed of activity didn't hurt either. And at this point in my life, I'm having to make adaptation/discover different methods on still managing to sew with vision issues, so I'm finding new things to learn.
I learn so much from the people here on the boards and the quilters around me. I was, like many, a solitary quilter for years but really have grown to appreciate the community around me and the sharing that goes on in many ways in quilting. The sharing of stories, of fabric, of opinions... it's all wonderful and the internet is a wonderful thing where we can share our knowledge even if not in the same room.
Quilting board is where I can have my coffee breaks and chat over a subject I hold dear. The hubby tries but his eyes glaze over really quickly some times
