I made a good decision
 

Years ago, I decided that quilting was going to be my hobby. I made my first wall hanging & remember taking it to show to my mother who was a quilter - I was so pleased with myself. I said, I bet you didn't think I could make it, and I remember exactly what she said to me. "Well, honey, I knew you could do it."
That was probably 30 years ago, & I'm still enjoying making quilts and the decision I made that day.

My mother might be making quilts in Heaven now.
How/when did you decide to make quilts?

I have been sewing since I was about 12 yrs old, making clothes for dolls and then graduating to clothes for myself and family members. About 10 years ago I signed up for a quilting class, at the class the teacher asked why we signed up for the class. I answered that I wanted to say that I had made one quilt in my lifetime, she laughed. Well, needless to say I am hooked on quilting and love it. pat

My grandmother taught me to sew - she did all the sewing for our family as my mom couldn't operate any kind of machine...literally...not a single machine! She did do handwork, however, so I'd sew, Mom would do the hems and other handwork and my sister did the dishes. Worked for me! But I digress. Later in life - about 20 years ago - I decided that I wasn't interested in sewing garments any more but wanted to sew, so that left quilting - Grandma also did quilting, I just had never gotten into it....now I do it all the time and love it. Rarely use a pattern more than once - or if I do, I find a way to change it. I do a lot of "what iffing". Love making freehand quilts...quilts with no pattern.

It has been 30 years for me, too. In 1983, I decided to make a baby quilt for our (then) pastor's wife, who was expecting her 3rd child. I was already a sewer and was making most of my own clothing, as well as some of my husband's (we were married in 1981), plus had tried my hand at embroidery, crochet, macramé, counted cross stitch, and even fabric painting (what was I thinking???). That quilt turned out really cute, but, as I didn't know how to quilt, I tied it. Unfortunately, I used 100% cotton batting, which (of course!) fell apart with the first wash. Disaster! I was either too stupid, or too stubborn (or both) to quit. I've made more mistakes along the way, but kept at it. I would classify myself as "experienced". :)

I learned to sew (and crochet), as a young child. I started hand-sewing doll dresses, then by the time I was around 7, was allowed to use my mom's sewing machine. That was over 50 years ago. As for quilting, I pieced together scraps and called them quilts (for my dolls) . . . but didn't start "proper" quilting, until I was an adult. I started by making craft items, like tissue box covers, a tree skirt, and other small items. One day I was talking to my mom and she said she'd always wanted a green TIC, so I made one for her. :)

When I was younger (and my eyes were much better), I enjoyed doing intricate sewing. Nowadays, tiny details make my head hurt. :p

i started my first quilt when my first child was born. somewhere along the way, the unfinished materials got lost. i started quilting again when i took early retirement. prior to that, i was very busy with machine knitting.

I was in the back seat of a van with two friends on our way to a dog show. The gal in the passenger seat was hand quilting & beading a beautiful lone star wall hanging in white, black and turquoise. As I watched her I said ... I can do that.

So I did.

My Mom had made some tops. With five kids to raise by herself, she never finished them. I always thought I would quilt one day. That was about 1965 and I decided to make one for second baby I was expecting. I made a baby quilt w/butterflies. I didn't have a clue how to quilt, I guess I tied it. After first two kids got older and I had a third child. My sister gave me a box of flannel scraps. I sewed them together and made the kids quilts. I didn't know about batting, so I just put a back on them. This was about 1972. Then I started an appliqued butterfly quilt for our bed. Been at it every since. I learned lots more and hand quilted the twenty five quilts. I learned to machine quilt in 2006 and have made lots and lots of quilts. I am working on finishing up my 124th quilt. Sorry this is so long.

I had decided to make a hubby an hawaiian shirt which went a bit wrong so I hung it on the bedroom door for a few weeks trying to work out what had happened as I had used that pattern many times successfully. One night I had an inspiration as I hate wasting fabric I said to hubby instead of having just 1 hawaiian shirt I am going to cut it up and make a quilt with 42 shirts appliqued on it.

And so I did. My first quilt was "born" and a king at that. That was just on 10 years ago and we both love that quilt. In fact it is on the bed right now as I made it an "in between season" quilt .

I made the mistake of saying "I will NEVER quilt!":)

My Mom made a small crazy quilt when I was in high school and I thought she was nuts to do all that hand sewing, I crocheted and sewed my own clothes, but hand sewing was not for me. My Mother-In-Law was a phenomenal hand quilter and I admired her work, but knew it wasn't for me. Then one day, about 15 years ago, I checked out a Celia Eddy book on machine quilting from the library and I've been learning, quilting, and enjoying the process ever since then. Still can't paint with thread and I don't know if I will ever attempt a landscape quilt, but that was what got me hooked on quilting.

About 6 years ago, I found a bunch of very cheap quilting books with simple patterns. I decided I was going to make one for a Christmas gift for the in-laws. Looking back now, I know that I made so many mistakes, but it turned out ok. In-laws didn't seem to appreciate my fine work of art, but the hubby was duly impressed and my obsession was born. I've made many quilts, most of them gifts for family and dear friends. Now everyone seems to want quilted bags...LOL But I can make those in an afternoon and make enough $ to keep my fabric addiction well stocked! I don't think any other craft I have tried has been near the fun as quilting. And I can do it all myself, even fmq on my 6600.

I have always sewed on and off over the years starting in 6th grade. I learned on a treadle and my grandpa (yes grandpa) had a treadle I used to play on. I got my own sewing machine in 1965. I still have it. I used to watch Simply Quilts before work. Never even considered doing it. Then when I retired 10 years ago one of my sons said "now that you are retired you can make me a quilt". What? I don't quilt! He said "well, you are retired- you can learn". I thought why not and found a basic class and made him a king size quilt on a dinky mechanical quilt. First I made a flannel baby quilt for my granddaughter. The first two things I made were not easy! I am not a fast quilter or a volume producer and right now I am in a slump but I do consider myself a quilter.

I've sewn off and on since I was about 12. I was mostly self taught, although my mother was an avid seamstress, but died very young. I guess it's in my genes. I'm old enough to have been able to take sewing, even tailoring, classes in high school - will never forget everything I learned there. I had not done any sewing for at least a decade when a friend wanted to make a baby quilt as a gift. Of course, she doesn't sew - so enlisted my help. This was last October and I have been hooked ever since. Having a great time with it, and starting to dip my toe back into garment sewing again.

I like that answer. My story is similar.

I've been quilting & hand quilting 25-30 years. Lost track of time. My 1st couple thing's I did. Was makeing a couple shirt's. For some reason, just didnt click my trigger. Then I took my scraps, and made a lot of scrappy tops. We used them to cover out chair's, etc. Took a quilting class, and kind of went from there. Eventually learnt what backing's & batting was. From there I took off like a bat out of hell. And to this day I wonder what I would be doing on the side, or hobby.

I've been sewing off and on since I was about 6. My paternal grandmother taught me how to crochet when I was about 7-8. Made a large table cloth with thread yarn and some tatting also. Many hiatuses through the years. So many different patterns. If you can sew you can quilt.

Like many others here, have sewn for many years. Have done hand work of some sort for longer than I've sewn. About 10-15 years ago a friend was hand quilting a quilt that she had made. I then started watching Alex Anderson on HGTV. Hmmmm. I can sew on my machine AND I can do hand work on the same piece! Well, gloriosky, that seems like the hot tip to me! And here I am.

I probably did my first quilt about 34 years ago when I made a baby quilt for my cousin. After that, I tried to make a baby quilt whenever someone I knew was going to have a baby. One year, I made a quilt for an auction at the school where I was teaching using drawings the kids made showing topics we had studied over the year. It sold for $250! About 10 years ago, some friends of mine kept trying to get me to quilt & I finally caved in & gave it a go. I have gotten so much enjoyment & relaxation(sometimes!) from it and am so proud of what I have been able to do. I'm so happy I got back into it. I always feel so astonished at how nice something looks when I get it done and my dear friend chided me for that telling me that I am much better than I give myself credit for. Sewing is in my blood. Mom & Grandma were both sewers.

I am 62 years old. My grandmother taught me how to sew on a treadel machine. The first thing I made was a pair of shorts out of a flour sack. I was 6 years old.

I can't remember when I did'nt sew or embroider. But in 1976 when I bought my first Quilters Newsletter Magazine, that was it!! I have been quilting ever since then, Started out using templates, scissors, and doing everything by hand. Now I use my Bernina and all the modern cadgets there are. Get alot more done ,too. I still have all those old Quilters Newsletter Mags. too

I started sewing on my mom's featherweight when I was nine. By the time I was sixteen, I had accumulated a lot of scraps so I decided to make a quilt to use them up. I then started making baby quilts and tying them for family and friends and then graduated to kid quilts. I've never managed to use up all my scraps and scrap quilts are still my favourite. I like simple yet striking patterns and lots of colour. Lately the modern style quilts have been grabbing my attention and I've been designing some "windowpane" quilt patterns of my own. There always seems to be something new in quilting and it is a hobby that I doubt I will ever tire of.

I've sewed since home economics and then for the kids when they were young. I've crocheted for a long time but for about ten yrs now I have made different patterns from panels a lot and now really getting into quilting the harder things for the last 5 yrs or sew but have had to learn on my own mostly. I sure do love it. It makes you feel like you really accomplice something and learn a whole lot the hard way. Sue

My start was inspired by my mom who graduated from nursing school at the age of 57. She had started at 19, but set her dream aside to raise a family. (She raised 4 daughter and had one miscarriage--which, as all moms who miscarry understand--was emotionally more painful than any of us knew when we were young.)

I was so proud of her for making us her priority when we were little,and then pursuing her dream when she was older an not needed hands-on as much . By this time I was a mother and also had a miscarriage. I designed a quilt with four baskets that are her four daughters, and in the border I sewed a heart to represent the little baby she lost. It was so meaningful to me to work on, to be as diligent (took me as long to make as for her to graduate!) and it meant so much. I decided it was a hobby I could take my time learning, enjoy the process, make others happy with the results, and have something lasting that I worked on! That doesnt happen with laundry, dishes, and cleaning--you keep having to redo it!

My grandmother died when I was three. My mom never did crafts, but boy can she bake. Anyway in high school I had to sew an apron. 1st time I ever used a sewing machine. I failed! I always loved quilts but never really thought about making one. Then when I was about 18 or 19 I was in a stationary store and while waiting in line I started looking at a quilt magazine and thought I can do this. I bought that magazine and got some fabric and made a completely ugly, horrible quilt. But I learned alot! I slowly started learning how to piece and quilt. I am self taught, mostly hand piece and hand quilt but am very contented. Also, I still have that magazine 30 years later!!!

I stopped in a local pottery and art store. There was an art quilt show downstairs in their show room. I looked around and was fascinated--I thought, "I could do this"--and I just started. I am not much for patterns, etc, but I love to pick up materials and just start and see what unfolds. I also love sewing machines, seem to be my new addiction...

I started sewing when I was 6 years old. Mom was an amazing seamstress-made all my clothes as a child. She would let me sew scraps on her sewing machine while sitting on her lap (she called them lap lessons), and by the time I was in the 10th grade I was making my own winter coats. Fast-forward some 20 years later, my granddaughter needed a bedspread. I whipped together some scraps I had to make her a simple 5" square block quilt. I've not made a stitch of clothing since then, with quilting being my new passion. Thank you, mom, for the lap lessons. I'll treasure them always.

As a child, I sat next to my mom as she did sewing on her machine. I made my first dress when I was in 4-H, and my dress won a ribbon at the local fair that year. From that point on, I made all my clothes and did sewing for my family and home. Although there were no quilters then, I made a quilt on my own with just a pattern to guide me when I was almost 15. I still have it, mistakes and all :D. Then I made a pieced top in my 30s and gave it to my mom because she liked it. I retrieved it when she passed away almost 30 years later and it eventually became a queen coverlet just a few years ago; it is my favorite. I did make some sporadic projects such as quillows, etc. Then I took my first REAL quilting class at the age of 58 and my quilting really took off! It is such a joy. BTW, I no longer make clothes. :)

My first introduction to sewing was when I was in elementary school in Louisville, KY, when we had home-ec. I think it was 6th grade, we first made an apron and then a 4 gore skirt. I remember mine was olive green which was an "in" color at the time. We didn't have a sewing machine at home so I didn't sew again until my early 20's when I was married and had 3 boys. I puttsed around with sewing off and on, did a lot of embroidery and counted cross stitch, made curtains, etc. until I retired almost 3 years ago when I finally had time to learn to quilt. I now wish I had more time to sew, my dogs, cats, horses, donkeys, husband and flower gardening take a lot of time so I still have to squeeze in sewing time.

I can't recall what age I started sewing, but it was very young. My Mother made all the clothes for us girls (six in all) plsu herself. Before she married, she was a Home Ec teacher, so she always told us, "the inside of a garment has to look as nice as the outside" and I believed her. When I was in high school, I knew more about sewing than the Home Ec teacher, so she appointed me as her helper to teach the other girls. In summers when I visited my grandmother, I used her treadle machine to sew on. I always made all my kids clothing, even three-piece suits for my son. I even sewed for the public. Then in 1997 I purchased my Janome 9000 and started quilting. I was hooked and still at it. My DH says, "why don't you take a break from sewing?" He doesn't understand, for quilters, sewing IS a break!

My mom sewed and she made me take home ec when I was in junior high. I'm so glad she did. I made clothes for myself for many years. Then I started working and didn't sew as much. I'm not sure how I got interested in quilting but I do remember being fascinated by it when I was about 20. As time went on I started picking up quilting supplies but never did much with them. When I quit working and moved to Wisconsin about six years ago, I joined a local craft group to meet new people. They had a class on making baby quilts and that was the real beginning of me becoming a quilter. I have learned so much since then. Quilting has become in integral part of my life.

I don't remember when I really started to sew, but at age 11, I made my first dress: with full circle skirt, double ruffles for sleeves and a gathered neck line at the top of the bodice, in a beautiful yellow. I remember sitting outside in the shade while hand sewing that huge expanse of rolled hem. I wore that dress a lot.

Fast forward to the late sixties. I had been making clothes for my eight kids, and was wondering what to do with all those beautiful scraps. I thought about them for months; while milking cows, doing laundry, hoeing garden and such. I thought just sew two of them together, add a third and a forth, and just keep adding pieces until I have a a quilt top. Big mistake! I got bubbles that I had to slice through to get it to lay flat. Then I sewed a decorative stitch in black on each seam. It was really pretty. I really liked it when it was finished, but I should have worked in squares or used a foundation.

I learned my first lessons in quilting at a 4-H quilt camp, which I attended for six years with my granddaughter. Each young quilter had an adult with her, usually her mother, but there were two grandmothers.

Since that time, the most I have learned has been on this board. I can't believe how much I have learned here.

Now I have a great-granddaughter, one week old, who has one quilt already, but there will be more.

Back in the olden days the girls were required to take home economics. (I wanted to take shop!) I had to make a dress. I knew nothing about sewing and had to ask the teacher what to do with each step. The dress turned out sewn wrong side out. (I would have been better at shop.) The only sewing I have done since then is to make a simple rod pocket for some curtains.

Four years ago I chose the book "The Quilter's Apprentice" by Jennifer Cheverini for our book club. That piqued my interest in quilting. I read the books "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Quilting" and "Quilting for Dummies" and designed my own bedspread. I hand quilted it, and it took a year to complete. I've gotten a little faster since then, but not much. :)

A year ago last month a friend suggested I go with her to a co-workers house to learn to quilt. I scoffed at anyone who would go to all that trouble when you could go to a store and purchase a quilt. WELL, my friend didn't take to quilting but I fell in love with it. I have made nine queen size quilts, two baby quits and four wall hangings. I can barely finish one before I want to start another. I also worked with the same co-worker and remember her bringing in small pieces of fabric to pin together and I just shook my head thinking why would anyone waste their time. Now I wish I'd learned early, I'm 65, just think of how many quilts I could have made. I quilt daily and love it, still learning to sew that perfect 1/4 inch seam...I think it's my machine but I'll keep trying.;)

My mother taught me to sew at age 12 she said if I wanted clothes for school I would have to make them myself. She showed me her stash and patterns. She helped me make my first garment a pant dress and then the rest is history. I love to sew I have made so many things and enjoyed the whole process. Both my grandmothers quilted and I was given a quilt at age 8 which went everywhere with me. I never went to sleep without it even as an adult. When I was seventeen I needed an art project for school so I took all of my scraps from sewing items with coudroy. There was no wale, pin wale, wide wale, medium, printed and solid colors. I cut them into 5" squares and made my first quilt tufting it. The art teacher was amazed and wanted to share with the home ec. teacher who was unimpressed (that was the '70's) anyway that began my rode to quilting and learning everything I could about quilting. I still love to sew and quilt and have learned a lot along the way but still continue to learn as I try new techniques and play with new ideas. There is never enough time in the day for all the sewing I would like to do.

Learned to knit, crochet & sew by the time I was 10 so when I had my last child I decided to go to a quilt class in the early 80's when everything was done by hand before the rotary cutters....then I put it down did a few quilts for church to raffle off then I got back into it in the last few years since I retired.....

I began quilting about 12 years ago when I was looking for something new to do. I had sewn a few items - last one before a quilt was a knight costume in silver lame-like fabric for my then 5 year old son (he's 27 now). I had tried to go back to school for pre-pharmacy classes while working full-time. It didn't work out so well, so I was frustrated.

So one day I was walking down the street with my DH and saw a quilt shop. I decided I could do that and signed up for a quilt class. I went from there. I have enjoyed it ever since and when we retired ~3 years ago, we moved into a house with room for a longarm. I was so happy, since I used to have to rent time before and there was no shop near our house when we moved that had a machine for rent. I love to do my quilts from start to finish.

I love to go to classes as well.

I started at about age 60 after years of doing all kinds of other sewing and needlework. I had travelled a lot in my job and really didn't know any ladies in my area (I live in the country near a small town). I knew there were quilting guilds so I thought that might be a way to meet some folks. I took a couple of lessons at a local quilt shop and joined the guild. Little did I know it would take over my life and become an obsession :-) I have met lots of folks, done lots of different styles of quilting and generally enjoyed it. Now that I am partially retired, it fills in all my spare time. Love it.

My mother was an excellent seamstress. Don't remember her making any quilts until later in life. I took HomEc in jr hi and made a skirt & vest. Didn't sew any more until late 60s/early 70s when I bought my first little singer (which was a treadle head converted to electric) for $14.98. Started sewing some of my clothes then. Think I made my first quilt in 1990 (embroideried) for my first granddaughter. It's just grown from there. Sure do enjoy it now. Don't remember what happened to that first machine - wish I had it now.

I have sewn since I was old enough to sit up and operate the machine, prior to that my Mom had me doing hand work, and filling the bobbins for her. My Mother made ALL my clothes until I was about 16 years old and had exquisite taste.(she was a stay at home Mom) Her work was better than I see in the fanciest stores, so when I was begging to have a dress "from the store like everyone else", she tried to convince me how poor the quality was, I didn't get it until I was older. Mom and I would work out a design and details on paper then she would whip it up. I cleaned house and cooked to give her time to sew everything I wanted. She went on to upholster furniture, sew her own drapes etc. she was an amazing seamstress...she passed away 2 months ago, she hadn't sewn for quite a while because she couldn't see well enough. When she went into the assisted living home, she took her blue "around the world quilt" for her bed. I pretty much take after her, except I don't upholster furniture. I did made cornice boxes and drapes. I am just taking up serious quilting now at age 60, well about 25 years ago I made patchwork pillows for everyone for Christmas. I have my Mothers latest sewing machine the Viking 150, her old White Westinghouse sewing machine is long gone. I have retired from my office job and babysit my 3 year old Grandson, still having trouble finding "enough" time to quilt as much as I would like. I do love this Quilting Board site, I read it everyday and get so much inspiration to keep on trying things, and learning something everyday. Thanks everyone.