As I say in my profile, I'm a dabbler at quilting, very inexperienced and taking things slowly. I have a lot of hobbies I enjoy so don't spend a lot of time on any. I only decided to try quilting after I retired and did/do not want to make it like work. In my professional life, I worked on many long-term projects (3-5 or 6 years in length) and was often ready for something new before that time. So even though I've been sewing quilt blocks and even finishing some small projects, I've never done a full-sized quilt and only do diagonal quilting or stitch in the ditch. Want to learn fm quilting but probably not intricate quilting designs which really makes quilts wonderful. I have perfectionist tendencies (but what I do definitely isn't). I'm wondering how many of you started quilting with the idea of going as far as fast as you can and how many of you are taking your time, say mastering piecing techniques or applique before getting into the more detailed quilting aspects .

I think I came into quilting with the idea that since I had been sewing since about age 9 or 10, the I just had to read the books and cognitively understand the techniques and I would be set! But, despite grasping the words and concepts, I found that my hands and coordination needed more time. I have been going at it slowly now and am enjoying the ride. I just wish my cognitive grasp of FMQ would translate to my hands going in the right direction! :roll:

I've sewn clothing and some placemats before but when it came to quilting, about 8 years ago, I just threw myself into it. I started simple piecing and worked up from there to now where I'm doing paper piecing.

My start in quilting was basically the addition of another type of needlework. I've enjoyed making things my whole life.
But quilting has definitely taken over my creative life! ( I'm not that creative but you know what I mean) I have way too much fabric and way too many ideas for what I actually accomplish! Hope to get more done than I have in the last few years. I was going like mad and then a lot of stuff happened and while I never got away from quilting, it sort of took a back seat. I'm back into the frenzy again !! :D

My quilting started out gradually. My 3 girls had outgrown momma's "homemade" clothes. So I needed to find another avenue for my sewing. Quilting filled that void.

It started out small. For me, I just wanted to keep trying new things. Some things have worked well, and other not so well. Paper piecing, for the life of me, I can't get. FMQ started out simple. Lots of stencils. Then I guess it was a lazy factor. I got tired of all the marking. So gradually started to do my own feathers. No, they are not exactly the same or all the perfect size. But they look great in the end.

Learn not to be so critical of your work. We tend to be our own worse critic. So sit back and enjoy :)

During the school year I quilt after all my classwork is graded and I use it to relax from the day. This summer I finished and made about four quilts. I now have to quilt two. I have the fabric for the next project but won't start on it until those two are done. Actually I have fabric for three more but husband doesn't need to know that. ;)

My quilting branched out from my sewing..I have several hobbies. Quilting, Painting, Knitting, jewelry, some ceramics, cloth doll making.

I go in moods for up to six months to a year. I will do any of the above for that period of time. At the present time it is quilting, reading or knitting at night for a few hours..

I totally enjoy every minute of any of the above and am never in a hurry to finish. I am not a perfectionist but do make an effort to do it to the best of my ability.

I like a challenge and will tackle just about anything if it appeals to me.

I started out doing embroidery and had to learn how to sew some squares together.....I wasn't taught how to sew..but grew to love quilting. I think quilting has many perks. There is always somethig new to learn.....you have to think about it enough to distract you form the stress of life and you can be creative in many different forms during this process. I think most of us dabble in may things....that is the nature of creative people.

I hardly sewed before I quilted. They didn't even offer home ec classes in my school. I've always loved textiles though. Since I collected them I thought it was silly I didn't use them. I jumped in three years ago and never looked back. I'm still a beginner. There's a lot to learn in quilting! Isn't it fun though? I've had and have other hobbies, but quilting is by far my favorite.

I took a one day class to learn how to use a sewing machine this past Sept. The instructor suggested a quilting class to get more experience with sewing. Of course I took a lap quilt 4 wk class instead of a placemat...fortunately I was the only student. That was in October. Now 11 quilts later, I think I'm hooked. I like simple patterns, SID, working with the fabric combinations to step out of the box. I'm starting to alter patterns and blocks a bit. So for me, I like working with something comfortable, gradually adding things as a challenge. But I'm not interested at this point in things like applique and paper piecing. So, to answer your question, I am OK with going it slow and adding things as I find them of interest.