I think that many of you had people in your long ago past that got you on your way to having a quilting hobby or profession. Many of these people have since past away. My grandmother was my biggest influence. I was thinking and reflecting on my life past and present due to the new year coming up and thought about her. It would be so wonderful to show her all the toys, tools and gadgets we have available today to make our quilts with. She would of had so much fun!

My grannie quilted also. She sewed anything thing from barbie cloths to wedding dresses. Even before she passed 3 years ago, she didnt use any special tools. Sewing machine, measuring tape, newspaper for making patterns, hand quilting hoop. My mom gave me grannies quilt books that they had purchased for her, inside the books were template plastic for making templates that she never used. She was a wonderful seamstress, and person. I'm the only offspring that quilts or sew for that matter. She had 2 daughters and several of grandkids. I wish she were here to see my projects. I was also given one of her sewing machines, I never use it. Maybe her wisdom would pass through the machine if I did!

My mother quilted. I remember sitting beneath her quilting frame and playing while she quilted. I loved doing that.

My grandmother and aunt were quilters. They would hand piece tops during the summer and quilt on a wooden frame that they could raise up to the ceiling when not in use. Did not learn to quilt but I remember threading needles for them and watching their hands fly over the quilt. Fond memories. They would be proud that I have taken up quilting in my later years. I even hand quilt now.

No one in my family quilted so I am completely self taught, though my Mum was a tailoress and dressmaker,maybe there wasn't the money for anything else, all my clothes were made from cut downs. Of late she has done cross stitch but generally hates hand sewing, and now at 97yrs cannot do it, I on the other hand far prefer hand sewing both for its effect and the relaxation it gives me(unless it goes wrong!!!!!!!!!!)

My mom is a great seamstress and I also learned from both grandmothers, too. One would go buy the newest fabrics and had a great design and color sense. The other would remake items into useful things. I learned creating and recycling before it was the "green" thing to do. Both grandmas are gone but my mom still sews and has a long arm quilting machine. I don't ever remember a time when I wasn't around sewing somewhere.

No one in my family quilts except my mother and she was self taught really dont know what got her started except all us kids moved out and she had money again. My grandmother loved home made skirts but would usually cut them out, pretend the machine was acting up and convince my mother to make them for her. I got started when I had my daughter and decided that she needed a handmade baby quilt. I made 9 patch blocks by cutting out every square and then sewing them together. I ended up making 4 quilts all in different colors for the 3 nieces and my daughter. I was sucked in after that.

I eventually moved on to bigger quilts and my favorite to this day was the one my husband and I made when we were both unemployed at the same time in 2004 for 2 weeks. We made an airplane quilt that is still used today and has warm and black batting in it.

Now I have a large stash and my 7 yo has learned to quilt and sew and will soon be starting on her second quilt. She has developed a taste for LQS fabric like her momma!

One of my DGMs was a school trained seamstress that never used her training except for her personal use. We never talked sewing but I inherited all of her sewing paraphenalia.
She did however teach me to crochet and shared her passion for making lacy doilies. She crocheted the most beautiful lace dresses and doilies. I have a large bag full of her unfinished works that I am waiting for the right inspiration to incorporate them into a quilt or a bunch to give to my mom and sis to remember her by. I guess that she was my influence that started me quilting because I could never match her expertise in lace work even when she was in her '90's.

My mom has been my influence in sewing/quilting. I'm glad I had a mom to teach me all the things that I have learned. We are teaching my kids how to sew and quilt to.

I have no relatives that I know of that quilted or sewed. My inspiration comes from thinking of the past and all the women who have quilted. I love old quilts and pieces of the quilts and envisioning who might have made them.

I believe that my grandmother made a wedding ring quilt for my mother and father, when they were married. I never saw her quilt, but, she did knitting, crocheting, tatting, embroidery... I wanted to learn to crochet, and around 12 years old, I had seen this simple poncho, and asked her to teach me. She taught me single and dbl crochet. From there I taught myself other stitches.
My mother did sew, she made us clothes occasionally, she made halloween costumes, she taught me how to sew with a machine.
I have to say... they were both influential to me

Mother and maternal grandmother both quilted, I too spent many hours playing under the quilt and being warned not to bump it! My mom often says how much she wishes grandma could see what I can do!

My mom was a beautiful garment sewer- she made virtually all of the clothes for herself, myself and my sister til we moved out! I remember her teaching us to use the sewing machine by the time we were eight, and I was sewing simple clothes by 10.

Funny, I never make clothes now, and she was never a quilter (she would have considered it very old-fashioned, and she loved modern things). Now my daughter is learning to sew and quilt, after not wanting ANYTHING to do with while she was growing up!

It was my GM that taught me to sew on her New Home treadle machine. My mother died in childbirth and Granny taught me to sew, cut out patterns, knit, crochet, and cook. She was such a peach and I miss her still after 30 years. I married and had two boys, but I taught them both to use the sewing machine, basic hand sewing, cooking and things all young people should be taught to help them take care of themselves in life. I now have two grandsons, and see no girls in the near future to teach sewing to. If I had the room, I would try to get some young ladies interested in the art of sewing, but in the time left to me, I am making all sorts of projects for a sewing group that supplies hospitals, group homes, children's agencies, nursing homes, etc. with handmade items.
Concider yourself sooooo fortunate to have daughters and granddaughters to gift with your knowledge!!

My Ex MIL taught me to quilt. My Grandma on my Dads side sewed alot, but shedied when I was young, so she didnt get to teach me much!

My great was a quilter, and she did crotcheting. My gma did sewing. After both had passed away I inherited a crochet bedspread. It is so beautiful and is displayed on one of my spare beds. When my gma died she had greats quilt rack, never found that, believe an aunt took it. I am one of the only gds that quilts. I am loving it.

My mother sewed all her own clothes but did not make quilts. My husband and I went to the Sister's Quilt Show one year and I thought that I could do that. So I took a basic quilting class and have been making quilts ever since. I just love it.

My Grannie taught me to quilt and crochet. Mother taught me to sew (she quilted also). Great Grandmother taught me Huck Embroidery. Not all my daughters wanted to learn but one does beautiful traditional hand embroidery, another sews some and a granddaughter sew and designs. Youngest daughter is getting her Masters in Theatrical Education and just sewed the most amazing puppet show using gloves. She made a vest to use as a "back drop". All my girls grew up watching me and my Mother sew so it is in their blood. I have made many, many projects and I cannot imagine not creating.

I met a very elderly lady who had made a quilt for my youngest child as a gift and I went to visit her and she had tons of quilts she made---most of them scappy quilts. I decided there and then I wanted to make quilts one day. Her name was Mrs. Frazier and the little town we lived in was named Frazier's Bottom.

My mother was a sewer, knitter did embroidery and taught me to do them. She was not a quilter nor was anyone in my family. I found out about quilting from a friend and after I retired to a class and have been busy ever since. My mom would have been a great quilter and loved all of the tools that are available to us. She gave me a great gift with her love of sewing and handwork.

My Mom and Grandma were my techers. When I was little my Grandma, Mother and my aunts would always get to gether on the weekends and sew quilts. Us kids would get the scraps and we would hand sew small quilts for our dolls. My sister and I would also sew doll clothes from the scraps.

My grandmother was definitely my influence, and she passed away on New Years Day in 1973. She was frugal to a fault. I can remember my mother going through her freezer and tossing out spoiled food. She didn't throw ANYTHING away. And she didn't waste her money on time-saving devices either. She would have sniffed with disapproval at all of these tools. All she needed was a needle, thread, some sharp scissors and a pile of rags.

My Mom never quilted. But she make all our school clothes etc. My friend, Joan, asked me if I would attend quilt lessons with her. I really went as a favor to her so she wouldn't have to go alone. That was 1984. Funny thing is that I got hooked on quilting and after a few years she became disinterested. Guess you never know.

My grandmother always "had a quilt on", my mother did a few quilts. My grandmother helped me do my first quilt when I was a young teen. I am the only one of my family that quilts now, and every time I am working, I am thinking of Mom and grandma. Grandma "wouldn't give houseroom to a tied quilt" she thought that was the epitome of laziness, and slothfulness was in her mind the WORST of the 7 sins. I still have a sunbonnet quilt made from the dresses of each of my sisters, and a ninepatch, also made from sewing scraps from dresses my mom made, that both of them worked on.

I was in early grade school when Daddy came home from an emergency assignment as an electrician; he asked if Mother had had the radio on, then we all learned that the U.S. was in war, due to bombing of Pearl Harbor. Thus our geography lessons began, along with watching Mother caring for my little sisters and continuing her artistic quilting. Mother died when I was ten, in her 37th year, so my memories of her are sketchy. Practical women in the family quilted, and I vaguely remember two she had made, immediately recalled when I saw them again at a relative's house on a visit to the area. Daddy's loss of so many things when he left after her death caused hurt feelings, but those losses were not mine or my sisters, so I said nothing, hoping for continued use of these quilts by someone-- which I had hoped, would have been Mother's wishes. I now realize that this opportunity influenced my reactions and activities through life since. I have just tried to give pleasure through quilting to people I know, during the last 40 or so years, and also to "let go" what others should do or think.

Odd one out thats me. Grandma and mom sewed cloths No one in my family made quilts. But my daughter wanted to take a quilt class as R&R and her company was going to pay for it. Da I said who buys fabric and cuts it up and sews it back together. Well She made 2 quilts and I havent stopped.

No one in my family quilted, but they all know how to sew garments and knit and crochet. When my mom was a child, knitting every day was a given - how else did you keep a family of 11 in socks!
My mom has training to be a seamstress but never worked the trade. She did however pass on her love of sewing to me. She taught me to use a sewing machine at age 8 to make dresses for my dolls.
She taught me how to draft patterns, using either newspaper or opened up paper bags for patterns.
Quilting is a gift I discovered once my son was born. A woman in my church who was 93 at the time, made a quilt for every child born. She made one for him too. She was an opinionated but lovely woman who was about 4'6" tall. And she held "court" after every sunday sermon. She'd hand out hugs and kisses and got as many in return.
She passed away on 9/11. At her eulogy, the pastor commented that it was probably God's blessing that she did not have to see the devastation of 9/11, for she no doubt would have had something to say about it!

My grandmother taught me how to sew and make quilts. We did't do the fancy stuff. We cut squares from clothes, sewed them together, used clothes for batting and tied them off. As I got older I taught myself the fancy stuff. She is 97 years old and she love for me to come over and show my latest project. I have made her lots of stuff.

I chuckled as I read this, cuz my DGD does that at my house when the quilt frame is up! I tie my quilts and she thinks they are for her (she got the first one). She plays and plays under there... I even put a rocking chair under it for her to sit in while I tie. I hope she remembers it later in life!

My grandma quilted out of necessity (she had 12 children and a sick husband!) Clothing was used. My mom quilted as I grew up. I remember looking at the scrap quilt and saying "I remember this dress! I loved that shirt!" LOL! Now I buy material that no one has seen let alone wore! Sad. But clothes aren't made of a lot of cotton anymore either.

My good friend was an embroiderer with her 2 Berninas and really sparked me into getting back to the sewing machine. I knew Berninas are so way out of my range, so I used my old Singer which was failing fast. Then I moved on to a Janome. If I move up from this will probably do Babylok as there is a rep close by.

So those three were all good influences along with all my sisters who are quilters. While I am enjoyig making quilts, I don't hold a candle to them...all extreme quilters! Love them dearly!

No one in my family quilted. I never even saw a quilt until the year I turned 21. My mother graduated with a degree in fashion design. I never even knew she went to college until after she died. She tatted, crocheted and knitted amazing things. She would thumb through Montgomery Wards, Ragamuffins, and Penny's catalogs and then one day these clothes just materialized in the house. I was a hyper child and no one thought that their lessons would "stick". My mother taught my sister and my only cousin on that side to embroider. My grandmother sewed and worked as a seamstress during her evening hours during the war. During the day, she worked at a factory that helped the armory supply ammo to the boys overseas. No one taught me anything or even thought I would be interested. A friend of my mom's taught me how to chain stitch in crochet and nothing else, so all that is self taught.

Fast forward a few years, to when I met my husband. He couldn't believe that I called his favorite quilt the weirdest bedspread I had ever seen. He still chides me about it. My mother in law didn't really approve of us at first and didn't send a quilt to us until we were married 2 years...and even then it was hurried. I went to visit her and sat in a chair and told her I wasn't going anywhere until she taught me how to quilt. So she got these tiny little knit squares that were about 1 1/2 inches and told me when I could sew them together by hand I'd be ready to quilt.

My stubbornness softened her heart and we became great friends. She gave me better than any wedding quilt, she made sure I got bit by the quilt bug!

My wonderful MIL and mother both passed away in 2007. I made my grandmother a sampler quilt 18 months ago and she couldn't believe I could make something that beautiful. She kept it on display for anyone to see when they came to visit. She died 3 weeks ago tomorrow and now I have that little sampler back.

I have a lot of other influences, but wouldn't have any of them if it wasn't for my grandmother, mother and MIL as they all knew one of them....I miss them all very much, but stitch a little something special for each of them in my quilts. I recently finished hand quilting a queen size sampler for my husband for our anniversary. The names of his mom and my mom are quilted into it...our initials are in the bottom, and I put the years of my grandmother's life next to the binding.

What I find so funny is that to this day my sister and cousin gripe about all that wasted time in their embroidery lessons...and here I am, the one that wanted lessons and I'm the only one that makes anything. Serves them right! : - )

I guess I just believe that our loved ones are in heaven and that they see us and are with us always. My mother taught me that and I am ever grateful to her. You just have to believe! Kinda like Santa Claus. Right?

Only one sister (I have 3) and I quilt. My mom never did and I never knew my grandma on my dad's side (don't think my grandma on my mom's side did any sewing-not sure). No one in dh's family does any kind of craft at all and no one I know around here does either. My mom did sew but no quilting-only clothes. You all are my inspiration. :D

I was told, after her death, that my Aunt used to quilt. I don't remember ever seeing one of her quilts. I started quilting when I saw a mag. in the 80's with an article saying I could make a quilt in a day. I don't think it was Elenore Burns who lead the group but I decided I could do that. I read the information and started to get what I could afford. I got a srlf sealing mat (no grids in those days) but I don't get a rotary cutter since I could not figure out how to use it. Instead I did a lot of tearing of fabric and measuring with a metal ruler and pencil. It took me two weeks to finish that quilt but I got it done! Now I cut with a rotary cutter!!

I have no one in my family that sews or quilts. I taught my mom to sew maybe 40 yrs ago. she gave it up soon after that. I learned in home eck to sew and took a machine quilting class about 25 yrs ago. It is a great hobby and I love it. I was just a natural as early as 13yrs old.

My Mom is an excellent seamstress and taught me to sew when I was nine. She will soon be 82 and she just made her first quilt! A wonderful elderly friend taught me to quilt in the early 1980's.

I must say my biggest influence was my husband who assumed that I must sew because my mom and grandmom did so he bought me a sewing machine for our first anniversary thinking I would be very happy. Didnt even know how to turn it on. lol still dont like to sew but 29 years later I can put together a quilt quite handily Once I started quilting my other grand would get subscriptions to quilting mags so she coild look at them then give them to me to see what I wanted to make She was the best

I didn't have a quilter in my life, but my mother always knitted, crocheted or did counted cross stich. My sister was a fabulous garment sewer. I did other crafts first; silk flower arranging, pine cone wreath making and goose egg decorating. One day I walked into a LQS and fell in love. I took two sets of classes; log cabin and trip around the world and made twin quilts for my kids who were 2nd and 3rd grade. Then life got in the way, but I always knew I would go back to quilting when I retired. I only wish I didn't wait until I retired. Think how much better I would be at it today. I've been quilting for 5 yrs.(I don't count that one year of lessons) and still loving it.

No one in my family quilts. I just started because I was inspired by the range of fabrics available. It's like a geometric canvas and I want to experiment all day long!