same here

Not a hobby for me…it’s a sport. There’s the training, the competition, the marathon runs, the short sprints, the equipment purchases, the sore muscles, the scheduling, team meets and solo events, the thrill of victory, the agony of defeat…definitely a sport.

I know what you mean! I'm not a professional quilter, nor even a prolific quilter, but somehow I dislike the word "hobby", almost as much as I hate being called or thought of as "crafty". I'd rather be asked to hem or mend something (though I rarely do so for anyone but close friends or family) than to make decorations or something "crafty". At least hemming is SEWING. Quilting for me is an art form, and it's my legacy to my family. My grandmother sewed, but was more of a knitter, and a real master cable knitter. I have three of her masterpiece afghans. I don't think of her as a "hobbyist". I guess it just has a connotation of frivolity. I'll take quilter, quiltmaker, or quilt artist :D

me too.

I concider it my self supporting hobby. I do sell some stuff and the money contributes to the supplies I use for non-paying projects.
I do not do it full time and its not my source of income to pay the bills. There are many levels of "hobby" just like there are many levels of "artists".
Its uncomforatable for me to be labled as anything , as labels bring definitions and expectations that may or may not be reality.
I typically just refer to it as "I am a quilter". I think that enough.

I do not make a living at it so it is a hobby. People become obsessive about hobbies. I know woodworkers who are not happy without a piece of wood in their hand. And painters can be very obsessive, but they don't make a living at it and it is a hobby.

Fabric, paint, wood, a rare stamp or coin - it's all the same. It doesn't take away from the talent involved.

Thanks, Maia. Once again you and I see eye to eye. I forgot the term "crafty" as an alternative and equally disliked word in reference to my quilting. And it's connotation of frivolity is exactly what I find irritating! Thanks for helping me express myself more clearly. Hope all is well with you and yours. :)

I agree

Obsession is more my word.

It's my 'Passion', too. If I'm not sewing/piecing or somehow working on a project then I am certainly aware of patterns around me that I want to use in that proverbial 'someday.'

ali