ha ha - only problem with thinking my sewing machine is a big machine is I can't use the excuse that I can't vacuum, wash clothes or dishes when on certain medications. No telling that a sewing machine is a machine! Welcome from Tennessee from a true Michigander......

Hello Keith, welcome from northern California!

Welcome from western NY and happy quilting :)

Welcome from OHIO! A sewing machine is the BEST power tool!!!

Well, hello and welcome from NC. Y'all come on in and set a spell. You're gonna' like it here. You sound like a determined gentleman, so I have no doubts that you'll accomplish your goal. I like the way you think. You can do anything you really put your mind to.

Hey welcome :-) love the goal of sewing your own hot air balloon, did I read that right?
Cant wait to see it.

Welcome to the QB from the Sho-Me State - Missouri. Just like in woodworking - measure twice - cut once. You have to be able to sew a very accurate seam - so practice, practice!

Hi from Ohio!

Keith,
Welcome to the board from another newbie!
I would definitely think that mastering quilting will prepare you for stitching that hot air balloon... except I think you will have a bigger challenge with the slippery-ness of the silk or parachute fabric.
And if you want to correctly spell the Southern contraction of "you all", it's "y'all".

As the saying goes, "American by birth, Southern by the grace of God". I'm one of those G.R.I.T.S., ya know (Girls Raised In The South).

Leta in Upstate SC