I really wish I had started quilting years and years ago. I feel like I have wasted so much time.
I started quilting 2 years ago and have only made 1 king and 2 baby quilts. Now I have so many loved ones I want to make quilts for. I'm 57 and it takes me so long to finish a quilt that I feel at my age I am running out of time and I will never be able to make a quilt for all of them. I am finishing up my son's quilt and still have another daughter I need to start one for, not to mention the 6 grandkids that want one . And my DH, can't forget DH. I have another baby quilt to do and my sister-in-law wants me to make one for her. I love that someone would want something that I have made, I just hope that I can get them all done before I get really old and unable to sew.
Is that silly or what?? LOL

How funny! Just take a deep breath...and start sewing!

pick easy patterns that go fast

I can understand your feelings. I just started quilting about a year ago. I am 68. I'm not going to stress over everyone who wants a quilt. I will get to it when I get to it. Right now I am making cell phone pouches for each family member who has a phone and wants one. I can do one of those in one day and they turn out great, if I do say so myself. When I get the third one done I will post pictures.

Nope...I'm 55 and discovered quilting in 07 when I bought my first embroidery/sewing combo machine...Bought it mainly for the embroidery which then morfed into quilting and I too wish I was younger because I have so many things in my brain that I want to create I don't know if I'll be able accomplish all of it
So your not alone...
My problem is I'm obsessive and I whip out one or two quilts a wk and how many can you keep so I surprise family and friends and mail them off.
I've layed off that and now involved with some of the Block of the Months on this site and swaps which takes me in a diff direction for a change...Totally enjoying it...Discover Mug Rug's and Doll Quilts. So now I'm working in minature and loving that...Doesn't take up allot of room!!!!

It's not a race; it's a process. Just enjoy it.

I sure do know that feeling, I am 72! I don"t sew or cut out out as fast as I did back when I made my first quilts, could easily do at least one a week,, and baby size I could do in a day. Now it seems to take a week just to cut out. But, I'll keep at it and maybe I'll be around for awhile yet. Hope so anyway!!

If you haven't done a disappearing 9 patch d9p on here experiment a bit with it. I've been trying different colors, different turns after I cut them, things like that. It's fast and you can make a beautiful quilt with it. Search d9p if you're not familiar with it.

Just work at your own pace. None of us know how long our time will be here on earth. An Accu-Cut Go might help you cut pieces quicker. I prefer machine quilting (generally stitch in the ditch!) and even machine stitch the binding which speeds up the process for me. And there are many easy (equals quick) patterns that go together quickly but look really nice.

I have way more that I want to do than I will be able to do in my lifetime, but that has been the story of my life. I just enjoy one project at a time. If one isn't going particularly well, I put it aside and pick up another. In the end, I will have plenty of fabric, UFO's and PIGS for the next quilter and I will have enjoyed making many quilts.

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I think we all worry about not getting all the things we want to do in this lifetime. No matter what age you started, just relax and take one quilt, one day, one whatever and enjoy what you are making at the time.
We are not guarenteed tomorrow, so enjoy today. And if there is something left when we are gone, maybe someone will pick it up and keep going in memory of us.

I understand completely, I keep bookmarking all the quilts I love on this site, but there is no way I could possibly make 1/4 of them. Have you tried making rag quilts for your grandchildren, I can make one in a day or two , they are fast and easy and they love them because they are so soft and cuddly. (You also don't have to be perfect in your sewing because it does not show because of the ragging. )

At 57 you are just a baby. My grandmothers were sewing in their 90's & my aunt is 88 & still doing beautiful hand embroidery. You have lots of time. I started quilting when I was 55 & have more quilts than I know what to do with.

I was just going to say I have 3 nephews & one neice that has been waiting for a quilt forever (I'm 54 & have health issues) so I too wonder if I will be able to get them finished before my time expires. I was planning on the disappearing 9 patch like they show on the board all the time. Will be the easiest & looks more complicated once it's done! They will think I fussed over the pattern for weeks!

IDK if it will make a difference to you but, it seems like I hear more complaints about having trouble cutting pieces than actually sewing them. If your worried about that, then maybe you could cut out a few quilts at a time and save a few for when you feel like your not up to cutting accurately. (hopefully 30 yrs from now!!!)

I agree, while I admire some of you who can produce great quantities of quilts, I also admire those you enjoy each and every step of the process no matter how long it takes. I have yet to make a quilt, just small projects and have good friends that I practice on -- No matter how much time you have, you never have enough!!

Just enjoy yourself! If u feel rushed and then won't enjoy it. Try 10 min blocks. Fast, easy and looks nice.

With all the projects and ideas I got, I will have to live at least 120 yrs.

Don't worry, just enjoy what you are doing.

Slow and steady wins the race.

Sounds like you are really commited! I am sure you will surprise yourself with what you will get done now that you are really addicted to quilting!!! Just have fun and enjoy it :lol: :lol: :lol:
Don't forget to post pics :!:

I feel the same way. But I'm just enjoying my quilting now and will as long as I can.

Its really how many you do but how much love you put into the ones you do. At this rate you will probably burn out trying to get to everyone. Take your time and enjoy the process.

Me too.

I just started last year at the tender age of 60! Had to retire to get enough time.

One day at a time. Pick the patterns and fabric that you love, something you want to give to a special person, don't be pressured into making something you don't want to, it won't turn out right anyway. Enjoy each day and each project.

You're not running out of time. This is the best time and it's only going to get better. I did my first quilt in 2000 (small wall hanging) at 54, then I did 2 lap quilts for my grandkids, then nothing. Work was hard 12 hour days, lots of overtime.

I tried classes and something always happened, they got cancelled or I couldn't go, multiple reasons.

Then I got sick. Had to quit work. Had to sell our home and move. What a blessing.

The small town we moved to when I was 61 turned out to be great we have a local quilt instructor. have a group of local women who do "Quilts of Valor" and I'm having a ball.

It really is better as you get older. And you have lots of quilts to do and more time than you think .

Relax and enjoy what you are doing. I feel like there is never enough time, but make what you enjoy, not what people want. That way you will at least be able to enjoy quilting

You are so much further along than I am! LOL

Be careful not to make it feel like work, we want it to stay fun.

Don't put such pressure on yourself. Just enjoy and keep working. Have fun!

Could you do a tutorial on this so we can see how to make them?

it goes faster with more experience. hang in there

I can relate!! I started quilting just about the same time you did, and about the same age!! I turn 60 (gulp!!) next month! I have never had so much FUN!!!! Quilting has given me a new spark in my creativity. :-P

Enjoy every moment of it and not everyone will get a quilt, but that's ok. The joy comes in loving what you do and having fun at it. I try (not always successfully lol) to stress about only what I can change. If your can't change it, let it go and enjoy the ride. :D

I am so thankful that your family appreciates the quilts you are making! I have several that could care less about this art! I want to make them quilts anyway hoping they will be interested someday, but they are way down the list! Enjoy the process! This is really your hobby - not a marathon!

I'm in the same boat (except I'm older than you)! One thing that's helped me is I found wonderful kits for an inexpensive price at www.fabriccafe.com (I have no affiliation with them, just love their site). They sell 3 yd kits with patterns for around $25, but I usually get them on sale. They are usually around 48x54" or so which makes a nice size to throw over the back of the couch and grab as a lap quilt when you're chilled. I gave one to my massage therapist and my dog's groomers (all men!) for Christmas and they're still talking about those quilts! My DD got one for her birthday (snowmen which she collects) and I have another promised to her for next Christmas. As a beginning quilter I have invested in fabrics and kits for bigger projects, but I'm waiting until I'm a little more experienced to start those.

I have been quilting for many years and still do not get all done that I want to so just enjoy the process of what you do get done and do not worry about what you cannot get done. That would just take all the fun out of it.

Exactly how I felt, but one at a time in your order, in between we always have a baby one or two... when you get to it.... Do you hand quilt? Love it.. :P

I just got started in quilting 6 weeks ago and have completed 2 lap quilts and working on my 3rd. I am 65, my wife has quilted for years, but I stuck with mostly "manly" hobbies, woodworking, cars, etc.

Luckily curiosity got me into quilting. My wife brought home a used older Baby Lock embroidery machine a few months ago. It sat around and she was not using it. I was interested in seeing how it worked so I started playing around with it. Found it to be a lot of fun, but quite limited in function so I went up and traded it for a Brother PE780D, what a great machine.

I made several Disney blocks for my wife to use in a quilt, but she was busy on another project at the time so I decided to try making a quilt by myself. She let me use her 40+ year old Singer portable to start. That was tough to use so I went up and bought myself a new Brother Run Way machine, and off I went to make my first quilt. What a ball, cutting, fitting and piecing, sort of like woodworking.

Sure wish I had discovered quilting earlier. It is something my wife and I enjoy doing together. Also fun going shopping for fabric and supplies together. We live near Lancaster, PA and there are a lot of Amish shops with some great prices on fabrics.

Not sure what I am going to do with all the quilts, no grand children, they are just stacked in a pile for now, may donate them to some local charities.

Hope you all enjoy quilting as much as I have come to enjoy it. Wish I would have discovered it earlier in life.

Also, it is great that this is one of my hobbies that my wife also enjoys. I don't make messes in the garage quilting.

Well, if you are willing to let someone else do the actual quilting (which takes care of sandwiching, pinning, and hand quilting or tying), you can make A LOT of quilts. Depending on your pattern, of course, but with a Disappearing Nine Patch type pattern, a large quilt top can be assembled in a couple of days--when you retire you will have all day to quilt and your production will increase dramatically.
Happy Quilting. :>