I am curious, I look at the pictures of the quilts and I wonder, how many of you are self taught and how many have taken classes.
I am self taught, I look at something I like and go home and re create it to the best of my ability

Same here, I do what I like. I read alot, view videos and then go and perform miracles.

I am self taught and most of it I have learner from this site.

Me too.

Self taught,but started by watching Eleanor Burns on PBS years ago..

Me too

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

take a lot of classes, but then go home and tailor what I learned to get the look I want.

I am pretty much self taught. Although I learned a lot from my mother. She managed to make a lot of quilts and take care of her 11 children. She also raised a big garden and canned fruits and vegetables each year .

I have taken a few classes, but I can honestly say I did not get my money's worth from them. I did enjoy the social aspect of the few classes I have taken.

I was a home ec major in college, then picked up quilting lo these many years later. I would like to find some classes to help hone my skills, as I feel like I'm floundering in the dark sometimes. This board is awesome and I've learned most of my quilting specifics on here. But sometimes you just need some hands on, in person 'here's what you should/shouldn't be doing'.

Self taught. Simply Quilts is what caused the interest to become an addiction. I used to record all the episodes that had any technique I was curious about and watch them over and over. I became a John Flynn stalker wannabe for a while--LOL. Love his Braided Borders and diagonal pieced quilt backs. Also the quilted crazy horse and the weed whacker quilt.

Self taught. But I take classes to meet people and to share new techniques. I teach a lot of classes free to those who can't pay for classes. They come to my house. Always learning something new.

I'm self taught- made about 30 quilts, then started taking classes. I quess I do things backwards. LOL I still have alot to learn.

self taught,books,etc.learn the hard way,lol

That's kind of what I did. I tried to come up with a pattern that I had not seen and went with that! Then I discovered grandmother's flower garden. I love that pattern, the hexagon.

I have learned a LOT here. I love this board!

Me also....and I love love love watching Eleanor Burns. She and Nancy Zieman are my favorite video teachers. I have all of Eleanor's books and some cd's. She has taught me a lot even though we have never met. Her current block party is too fun and I am sewing along with her all this year. Check out her web site for a link to the videos of her current season. It is free to watch but be warned it is a bandwith hog so you had better have a good internet connection...sorry no dial up.

Self taught. Books and started with a kit - Pam Bono king sized!

Self taught. I still have the first Quilt Book I bought--it taught to use 5/8" seams. As I progressed, I had to "unlearn" a lot of things, esp shortcuts I had used.

I'm self taught. I bought books and watched Simply Quilts when I could.

I'm self taught. I have only taken one class and have taught many at my LQS.

Self-taught! Magazines and websites are very helpful!

I took classes. I haven't in a long time, but would like to again, it gives me a deadline to get things done. Coming here everyday is like a great everything you wanted to know class.

Self-taught, but have taken a couple classes at the Manucso Quilt Shows for the past two years when they are in PA. I also like the challenge of looking at something and working it out for myself.

I'm self taught. I did take home ec in high school, but had been sewing for years before that. I do get together with friends and share ideas, but have never been to a seminar or class.

I was taught to machine sew by my mom when I was eight.
Then took Home Ec in school during grades 7 and 8 (we got 'shipped' off to a regional school for that.
But I taught myself to quilt, 30 years later.

I'm teaching myself as I go with a lot of help from this site and tutorials/blogs. I'd love to take some good classes, though!

Self-taught--meaning I've never taken classes--but I've gotten a lot of help, inspiration and encouragement from my cousin, Dottie, and from everyone here on this board!!!

Just began quilting about 1 year ago. Self-taught via books, patterns etc. Took one class that I did get some great tips from but I have learned more from this board than everything else put together!

Great tips, motivation, ideas and more! Thanks to all and I am so glad I found this board!

Cindy :thumbup:

I am self taught, no one i know quilts or sews, i quilt all by my little ole self as with most things. But i love this site i have learned so much here.

I started out self taught in 1969 There were no teachers or shops or books.

I subscribed to Quilters Newsletter and started trying out different techniques. I went to museums and looked at quilts from long ago.

Our local quilt shop opened in the 80s and I started taking classes. I started going to quilt shows in the 90s and taking classes there. I watched Fons and Porter and Alex Anderson. I joined a guild in 1994 and took workshops with them.

I go to quilt camp every spring and go to the shore and quilt with friends every September. I learn from them all.

I learn from you folks on this board, from ladies in my AOL Quilting community, and from designs I see on blogs and other places on the web.

And now I teach workshops. Giving back to all those who have taught me!

I too am self taught. I've always been interested in quilting as I watched my mother when I was very young. Unfortunately, she passed on before I got a chance to learn. I bought two learn how books and went from there. This board has been very helpful to. I love this site and all the other sites they have recommended to me. Thanks all.

ME TOO!!!! lol lol I have her 1st. Christmas book.

Self taught. When I started, I didn't have a computer or internet access, so I learned from magazines.

I am completely self-taught with the exception of my recent Sharon Schamber class. I couldn't pass that one up. ;)

Unfortunately I don't come from a sewing or quilting family. I would have loved being taught by a family member. I am passing my love of quilting on to my daughters though, they both love quilts and sewing. :thumbup:

Wowwwwwwwww! I cannot believe how many of you are self-taught!
I am not. I took beginner quilting class just like the beginner sewing class I took.
But once I had the basics I was pretty much all set :)
I did not come from a sewing family either. I always loved crafts though, from way back in Brownies and Girl Scouts!

My oldest sister taught me to sew when I was very young. My mom always sewed and quilted, but never had the patience to do any teaching. I took Home Ec classes in high school (I don't think they even call it that any more!) and could sew better than the teacher.

I'm self taught.

Self-taught. Have never had the money to pay for a class. :-(
Have some books and magazines. I have learned enough to look at a picture and figure out how it was made. Along with many experiments some good some bad.

Self taught, but I had the advantage of growing up in an area where quilting was a common pastime. Many longtime quilters to help me out

Self taught, too. I checked what free quilt patterns were available and saw the simplest one to copy. Then checked out the internet to learn how to do binding and mitering. Don't know if I would have the time or patience to attend a class and have no clue how much they cost either.

Self taught mostly, but I had the advantage of growing up in an area where quilting was a common pastime. Many longtime quilters to help me out.
My grandma was a quilter. unfortunately she was no longer quilting when I got the bug. My dad was the one that showed me how to hand quilt(he learned form his mother as a child)