over here where quiltiing is very far between I think that it is slowly growing , a very small local group displayed their quilts last year and have had several join them since BUT the new additions with the exception of one are over age 60!!

The average age may be high compared to some other hobbies, but as people get older they often move to projects that are more focused indoors, where the set-up (machines!) cost more, and are relaxing after they get home from work or retire. And frankly a market share of 14% is pretty high. Many companies would love to have 14% of people buying their products - that's still a lot of people and a lot of money!

over here where quiltiing is very far between I think that it is slowly growing , a very small local group displayed their quilts last year and have had several join them since BUT the new additions with the exception of one are over age 60!!

over here where quiltiing is very far between I think that it is slowly growing , a very small local group displayed their quilts last year and have had several join them since BUT the new additions with the exception of one are over age 60!!

sorry how silly ,posted twice.

Oh,oh,ho,ho, I don't think so!! And, thank goodness for that. Ever since starting quilting, I have found more people asking me to make quilts for them. It is not so much that it is dying as it is that many people either don't know how to quilt but would love to, or they just don't have time. Either way, quilting has become more popular than ever, especially among quilters in the 20's to late 30's age range. There is definitely a huge "cult following."

I would say it's a dying art in my area. Not too many women are interested in general sewing, and much less quilting, especially the now generation in the area. It's easier to shop at Walmart and pick a manufactured Duvet/Bedspread/Quilt than to make it.

Isn't that sad?

Or maybe they buy the Walmart quilts because they really want a quilt but know they don't have the time and skills to make one. But when that one falls apart and the kids are a little older and they have more time they'll take up quilting so they can get the exact colors, design and quality they really want.

That's a positive way to look at it.

judging by how fast this Board has grown over the past few months, it's not a dying art! I used to feel like I knew everyonw who was posting. Now I feel like there's a dozen more people to get to know every day. That's a GOOD thing thoughLOLOLOLOLOL :lol: :lol:

I saw the results of that survey also. However as an educator who has been working with the younger generations since 1975 I can tell you younger quilters are from generations that don't do surveys. This is not their medium of communication so I think the results are a little off. They are quilting and involved in all of the fiber arts, but they don't communicate in the same way. They also as a whole won't identify with the current "quilt show" way of display and competition. Got to get younger minds expanding this area to be more inclusive. Not saying I know how to do this, just that this is the reality.

I agree. I, too, am involved in many types of hand crafts; however, I am a devoted quilter.

I sure hope not, it would very sad if quilting and in fact any crafts that let you use you imagination were to die out. I tell all my younger neighbors and friends about quilting and encourage them to visit me to see how relaxing and fun it is. I guess it the whole saying of what goes around comes around some things go out of favor and then in a few years it is back. I will keep spreading the word.

Maybe I just lucked in, but almost all of the people I know around here quilt. Young people are learning too so maybe people will swing around to handwork and creating nice things. Women just like to pretty up things, look at the tea towels and such in the old times.

Art forms seem to have trends just like the types of TV shows we watch and the topics of books that are written. I don't want to see quilting become a dying art form. It's a tradition that needs to be passed along just like knitting or crochet. There won't be quilters unless we keep the younger generation interested. Train up a child...

I think it's hugely popular here in Minnesota. With our long winters, we have lots of time indoors to make quilts. I still work on them in other months, tho, too, year round actually.

This has been my obversation in my world, too. Our quilt grp. in Ariz.where I spend the winter started with just 3 or 4 people but now the whole clubhouse is taken up with quilters every Wed. That doesn't even count the people who work at their own homes instead of carrying all of their stuff to the clubhouse. The sound of buzzing machines & women's chatter is quilte a site. I think it's a fluorishing craft.

when i first started at 7 in 1966 i think it was. it took off around here in 1976 (the bi centennial) that's when i really strated making them alot for everyone, and haven't stopped since then. i'm over 300 now, close to 350, with over 150 as donations to charities.

Quilting is coming back, yes, my belief is that most of us Baby Boomers are now retired, empty nests or widows and reaching back to a slower time. We now have time to sew, quilt and teach younger people in the family. It is suprising to find that many younger people 12 - 40 years old will get the bug if someone introduces them to the joy of creating with fabric. Take someone to a local quilt show that will inspire an interest, then a class they are hooked.