I'm 64 and have been sewing since I was 8yrs old. I made a few "quilts" when I was a young mother. I basically just cut squares of fabric, sewed then together to make my top, then used a sheet for the back, used an old blanket for the middle and then tied them with yarn or embroidery thread. In the mid-9o's i took a one day class at a community center that shoed us how to make a quilt top. Mine is the one in my Avatar. I made one other wuilt and then didn't do any more for years. Last year I was feeling anxious about my upcoming retirement. I was thinking of all the things I could do once i retired and(hike, read, visit grandkids etc) and I thought that would all be very nice and I'd certatinly enjoy it, but none of it excited me as much as my work has. Then I saw a qyuilting magazine in the grocery store that featured easy quilts and they were gorgeous!! I bought the magazine (Quilts and More) and fwll in love with all the quilts. I realized then that this was what I could do during retirementh that I couls feel passionate about. I retire in 7 months but in the meantime I've made 3 more quilts.

I am 62 and I can relate to everything you said. In retirement you definately need to keep busy. What a better way than to quilt, meet new friends, and have wonderful gifts for family and friends. Have a wonderful retirement. Chip

Welcome from another Wisconsin quilter!!!!!

Hi KathyKat! Welcome from the Philadelphia area! Your retirement plans sound great! Happy quilting(and chatting!!)

HI Kathy and welcome from your Illinois neighbor!!!

Hi and welcome from the sunny state of Florida!!! It sounds like you have it all worked out. Congratulations on your upcoming retirement and Happy Quilting!!!! Your Avatar quilt is beautiful!

Hi and welcome to the board - I'm in Wisconsin too :)

Hello from a fellow newbie.

Hello and welcome from Ontario

Welcome from Upstate New York!

Hello and welcome from Texas :-)

Hello and Welcome. Sew Glad You Joined Us..

Hello and welcome from an Iowa girl! I can't wait to retire and then can spend more time quilting; meanwhile I try to sew as much as I can.

Welcome, waving from Indiana, USA

Hello and welcome from Louisiana!

:thumbup: Howdy and welcome from Pipe Creek Texas!

Welcome to the board from Southern California!!

Hello and welcome from SW Iowa. Glad to have you here.

Welcome from Plum City Wisconsin. Where are you from in wisconsin

I lived in Iowa for 4 years after I married my new husband. We lived in Waukon. We moved back here about 7 years ago so we could be closer to the grandkids. I love the good people of Iowa and still have many friends there!

I was born in Sparta, Wi and now living in Holmen which is just a little north of LaCrosse. I've been working at a hospital here for 40 yrs!

I have relatives in Homan and Lacrosse.

KathyKat just stopped at the Sparta shop on my way to Shawano--very friendly owner and wonderful fabrics--told her good thing I didn't live close as I'd be broke lol

I meant holmen

Welcome from St. Paul, Minnesota - have family from Waterloo, Wisconsin, Madison and Milwaukee (Fox Point and Shorewood). You probably have been told these few points, too. #1 - you have to be totally ready to retire and #2 - you are going to be more busy retired than when you were working. Congrats on your upcoming retirement! Edie

Welcome from Missouri. I gew up in WI but left when I married. Still have family on the other side of the state.

Hi From Fl. and Wi. I retired last May and still cant get use to it but i am working on it. I am new to Wi. so dont know much about it yet. We live in Woodruff if you know where that is?

Hello from WI also

Hi and welcome to the board, and please post pictures of your quilts when they are done, we would love to see them. Penny

Welcome from Norway.

Welcome from St Croix Falls, WI!

Greetings from a retired person (from the dental world)! Am living in Oregon now but lived in Wisconsin for 5 years along time ago! You'll LOVE this website! Have learned so much and everyone is as nice as can be!

Welcome from Eau Claire. Just retired after 50 years working in a hospital.

This is a great board with great people and lots of information. Welcome from Illinois.
Di

Hello from Michigan - I grew up in Wisconsin and my grandmother's sewed quilts there. One even made Barbie doll clothes for me on her treadle sewing machines.

Welcome from Oklahoma with a Massachusetts accent. So happy you could be here. There is always room for one more quilter.

Hi and welcome from Oklahoma.