Originally Posted by janRN

What a great thread. I'm always amazed at posts that say "look what I did today" and it shows a completed quilt top. And it's lovely--I'm not criticizing. That's just not me. I worked for 40 years and in that time did a few quickie quilts but always, always wanted to just be a quilter. Now that I only work a few days a month, I'm doing those involved patterns. Just did the Farmers Wife Sampler quilt and it took 1 year; I enjoyed every single minute of it and look forward to the next Farmers Wife Pony quilt.
I also hate repeating blocks; a 4-block table runner of the same block has me bored by the 3rd block. I think the quilts with lots of the same blocks are stunning, it's just not me.
I guess we're alike but different. Each quilter is unique to their own style and preference and talent level.
Thanks for this thread--it's so interesting to learn more about fellow quilters.

Originally Posted by May in Jersey

Then there are times when I feel stressed so I get out my scrap stash and make a bunch of string blocks.

Originally Posted by ghostrider

For me, it's the process. I never do 'matching' blocks anymore, choosing instead to design and make quilts that are dimensional or optical patterns or are small art or mixed media quilts.

It's all about the journey and what I learn along the way. Sometimes the side roads are the best part. Sometimes it's even a dead end, but the lessons learned make those worthwhile just the same. It's never about getting to the end by the shortest route...you see so much more by bicycle than by jet plane. :D

Originally Posted by k3n

I know this subject has been discussed before but then so have many others and we still always manage to find new things to say. :mrgreen:

I see so many threads on here about 'mile a minute', '10 minute blocks', 'quilt in a day', 'fast and frenzied' (OK I made the last one up!) and I really don't get it. There are also a bazillion books on the same theme. To me quilting is my passion and I love doing it. So I enjoy the process, the actual journey of designing, selecting fabrics, piecing, quilting, embellishing and binding.

If I just wanted to get something done quick then I could buy something cheap. Of course I sometimes have to work to deadlines, on a commission piece, a piece for a show or a gift for someone and I'm not referring to those kinds of occasions.

But this is a serious question - can all you 'race to the finishers' explain to me what actual pleasure you get if any from the process? Or is it only the sense of achievement in the finished quilt? Or is it that boredom sets in and you just want to move on to the next project? I can relate to the last one which is why I operate a multi-WIP system, but everything gets worked on and finished in the end and with the exception of SOME of the occasions with deadlines mentioned above, I ALWAYS enjoy the process - otherwise, what's the point? :-)

Just askin'...

Originally Posted by k3n

Now THIS I can relate to - quilting as therapy! If I'm wound up about something, I FMQ pebbles - acres of 'em if necessary! Once you've had a while of ONLY having to think what size, shape and where the next pebble is going, the worries of the world just melt away... :-D

Originally Posted by k3n

It's difficult to word without appearing to be critical or arrogant but do you think that the process enjoyment comes with experience then? And the rushing thing is a newbie phenomena? Because if I look back a few years, I used to rush. Not in the beginning when I hand pieced and quilted but when I started using a machine. But I think I saw finished quilts on patterns, wanted the quilt and started in on it without thinking if it would be fun to make. Now I only work on things that I KNOW I will enjoy doing.