Do "Real Quilters" Do This?
 

For over 40 years, I'm sewn garments. Then, I took my first quilting class two years ago. I made a small sampler in the class and three full size quilts since then. I think I'm developing the heart of of quilter. I'm becoming as obsessed about quilting as I am about garment sewing. Here's the evidence:

• I recently took my two young nieces to Barnes & Noble. I went immediately to the needlework section and looked at more quilting books than sewing books. (Of course, I already have dozens of sewing books)
• My nieces had to drag me away from the quilting magazines.
• I spend too much time online at sites like Fat Quarter Shop and Keepsake Quilting looking at fabric.
• I search online for independent fabric stores and quilting shops to visit whenever I'm in a new place.
• I have more ideas than time (or skill) to carry them out.
• I'm planning quilts for the nieces mentioned above, even though they probably will have to wait years to get them. I'm also wondering who else I can give a quilt to.

So, tell me, do real quilters do all these things?

YES! It means you are a "real" quilter!:)

Welcome to our world! Don't analyze, fret or over think.....ENJOY!

Yes, And I have been quilting for years...wait untill you get a stash and still don't have the right fabric either.

You are hooked!!! Don't stress the skill part..you will be amazed how you progress...enjoy the process!! Welcome to our crazy world!!

Yes! Welcome to our world :)

Welcome to our quilting addiction.

Yes, all of those symptoms are what defines a quilter. We are totally addicted.

I couldn't have said it better. Welcome Elaray.

Yup! Another live one.

Yes, yes, and yes! And, another symptom is that when you are buying a new house, a place for sewing is at the top of the priority list (it is much more important than the kitchen). And this must be a place where the door can be closed so that "neat-freak" hubby isn't affected by seeing the mess inside! The rest of the house should be usable.

I agree, but I think you should add "anyone" to the list, not just hubby. My brother thought my room was totally messy when it was very clean and organized. I just have lots of fabric everywhere. It was when I asked him to look in my sewing room for a box I couldn't find and he stared at the room as if he had never seen anything like it before. Too little space, too much stuff.

LOL! Some days I can't seem to move away from the computer and get NO sewing done, other days I seem to spend shopping for more fabric...that I really don't need, but can't let all those great remnants fall into a stash other than mine.

I often look at quilting books while shopping, but know I can find most any pattern online for free...yes, I'm trying to be a frugal quilter, too!

My head spins nearly 24/7 with ideas that never get onto paper or into fabric, and when I'm working on something too long I have to set it aside and work on something else to waylay the boredom that seems to edge in often. I used to be able to work nonstop of something, but guess things change as we age.

I planned to make all 11 grandchildren a quilt for Christmas. I've finished two completely, have five more in the works and don't think I'm going to make it. I'm just happy none of them knew of my plans.

Yep, I think you're normal!

Yup, welcome to the quilting addiction!! :thumbup:

Call the Doctor...you've been bitten by the Quilting Bug. It causes a disease that's hard to get rid of. Makes you do crazy things like spend every extra penny for fabrics, spend way too much time online looking at fabrics and patterns and way, way too much time chatting with all the other bug bitten ladies on this board...LOL. Welcome to this "La Vita Loco"....

Hey Everybody! We hooked another one!!

Glad it's not just me! I'm working on the border of my first quilt. Most of the links I have up on my computer right now are quilt boards, magazines, QCA etc. As for thinking about who to give quilts to eventually, my mother has given several to my kids already, do you think they'll still want some from me? LOL

Sounds familiar! Just relax and enjoy the ride!!!!

fantastic glad to have new members.

Funny, I also have a 2-year waiting list. Welcome to the club. I also HATE shopping UNLESS it is quilt-related.

Isn't it comforting to know that you are not alone is this wonderful madness?

Yep, welcome to the wonderful world of quilting!!!

Enjoy and welcome!

Yes we do! Welcome to the lifestyle!

Yes! :thumbup::thumbup:

Yep, that sounds about right! It is soooooooooo addicting! It is wonderful!!!!!

Don't say no to any quilt pleasures! You'll regret not making time to enjoy your me time. I go once a month to Barnes and Nobels to catch up on all the new issues of quilt magazines. I take day trips to quilt and fabric stores that are two hours away. I pick a national quilt show once a year and go spend the whole show days. Paducah is usually my first choice. Sometimes Houston. I go to on every outing my guild members decide to do. I go to quilt 3-4 day quilt retreats twice a year. This year I'm going to three! I organize a community quilt show once a year. I seldom say no I can't go or do something quilt related. One day I may have to say no, I can't do it, I'm too ill, old, or housebound, but I'll have my memories of all the times I did go.

yes, and even some "fake" quilter's too..hehehe

I hope your DH is as interested in your new obsession as mine is. No objections to fixing his own meals when i'm busy. No complaints that I sew in every room of the house except the bedroom and bathrooms.

Yes. My daughter is a scrapbooker. When I shop with her I always look for paper that would make beautiful fabric. I actually did buy a large 12x12 pad of coordinating paper by Debbie Mum that matched fabric by her. I know what I'm doing with the fabric, don't know what I'll do with the paper.

I also am a quilter (she says tongue in cheek). I was given a cross stitch Christmas Quilt to sew. The kit came with the top, the embroidery thread, the batting, the needle and the thread for quilting. Also, this is neat -- dots on the fabric that tells me where I put the needle in and where I pull it out when I hand quilt the quilt!!!! The sewing machine is put away (except for mending) and I have been totally absorbed in getting this done - There are like 23 different colors and I am on the third color - "Merry Christmas" is in three shades of red!!!!!! I have been working on it for about two years now, but not as aggressively as I have been this summer. I sit outside and sew and listen to an audio book!!!! Am I still a quilter????? Edie

Welcome to quilting!

Welcome to the world of quilting. Have fun.

Yup - you're one of us! and don't forget to start looking at mosaic tile floors for design inspiration, and picking up color charts at the paint store and the library has a great selection of quilting books.....and.....and.....

Welcome to the wonderful, beautiful, world of quilting!

We are all sisters in sewing. The true melting pot.

Now you know how the rest of us feel.

Yup, you've officially joined the ranks! Congratulations and enjoy.

Absolutely!