I am sorry if it sounded like this. :cry: I certainly wasn't great out of the gate - my question was about patterns and projects that are marketed as 'quick' rather than easy. Nothing wrong with easy. And I agree with you entirely that it doesn't matter what you are doing as long as you enjoy the process. That was exactly the point I was trying to make. :-D

My favorite part is picking the fabric and pattern. I love putting together the colors to make a creation. I also like the cutting and piecing and getting it ready to put on the design board. At this point I stall. I don't especially like putting the blocks together and then the rows. I have a LA so I do enjoy the quilting process. I usually make large quilts so the binding process is long, but not hated. About the time I am putting the rows together I start thinking about my next quilt. Usually I won't let myself start the next quilt until I have finished the one I am working on.

K3N I've enjoyed this thread. Vondae, I'm also sorry if we hurt your feelings--certainly NOT intended.

Years ago there was a book out by Gail Sheehey called "Passages". It looked at all the stages (passages) we go through in our lives and how our opinions and outlooks and goals change. I think this applies to quilting. My first quilt was an Irish Chain with 12" center blocks and 4" chain blocks--huge! But I couldn't wait to finish it and start another one and another one. This went on until I started to have more time to work on more difficult (and slower) projects. Now I have all the time I want to quilt and I don't mind taking a week to make one block. That is the "passage" I'm in right now in my life. We have to enjoy and embrace each "passage" in our own way--no judgements, just sharing and enjoying.

Thanks Jan - and I can relate to the passages thing - life is a journey and quilting is such a huge part of our lives, why shouldn't that be a journey too? :-)

IM like the whole proces, too. Sometimes I hvae to get something done and start racing. I find the sewing of piece after piece very relaxing, almost hypnotic or meditative.

Where do you get a job quilting? I want a job like that!

I'm a relatively new quilter, I have been quilting only for a couple of years now. At first I was making more basic designs just to learn and make something useful. Now that I've been working on quilts for awhile I can see that the rushing method I used to do inhibits my creativity. I'm just now learning to slow it down a bit and not be afraid to spend some time learning a new technique or doing something I love. It has the added benefit of costing less money when I focus on detail and improving my skills, since I'm not constantly running through fabric.

I'm with you guys on the hating to do the same block over and over. I'd much rather do something different every block. :-)

Self-employed! I exhibit and sell a bit, do a few commissions and I give talks and teach workshops. It's more a means of justifying my hobby at the moment but I really enjoy it and it's gathering momentum. DH still pays the bills! :lol:

I take my time. My flaw is that I tend to tire of a project before it's completed, consequently, I've always got 3 or 4 projects going at one time.

It's all about the process for me! I quilt because it's an enjoyable, soothing activity that gives me a creative outlet. I do sometimes pick quilt piecing designs that don't take too long when I'm making bed quilts on a deadline though. I started out this fall to make one quilt for my granddaughter for Christmas, and as other family members saw me working on it, I've gotten requests for 3 more. And we're talking bed-quilt-size here. So...I've been using designs with large pieces, and looking at them as an opportunity for FMQing creativity! I'm currently working on #3 of 4, and should finish in plenty of time. Regardless of the size of the blocks, I pay close attention to matching points, seams, etc. as I always want to do the best work possible and constantly improve my technique. That's a large part of what I enjoy about quilting.

After Christmas I'll be starting on my very own Thirteenth Fandago! I've got the fabrics all picked out and ready to go, and am looking forward to my first paper piecing project. It's been difficult to put it away and leave it alone while I get the Christmas quilts done, but gives me something to look forward to starting later.

I consider quilting an artistic pursuit, and wish I could work at it full-time like you do. But for now, I do it as time allows around a full-time career and other interests and commitments.