I started quilting a few years ago. Before I started, I decided I wanted to continue the tradition of my grandmother and great-grandmother by hand piecing and hand quilting the entire quilt. It makes me feel like I'm paying tribute to these women who worked so hard but yet felt the need to make something that had meaning to them. It seems that the hand piecing/hand quilting method is almost a lost art and I wanted to keep that tradition alive. Every quilter has the choice to hand piece or machine piece the quilt top and then either hand quilt or have the top machine quilted either by themselves or send it out to a long armer. Quilting should be an enjoyable choice for everyone. There should never be any competition on how many quilts someone can make in a year. I'm working on a Vintage Churn Dash that is 80 x 104. I'm still piecing but I know when I start quilting, it will take me 8 or 9 months to finish. BUT THAT'S OKAY.

If I were a LAQ and did it professionally (think Charisma) and then someone told me that I wasn't a "quilter", I'd be really surprised. and maybe offended/hurt. If a "professional quilter" isn't a quilter, then who is?

It seems like it is like saying that a runner who earns money by running (in prizes/sponsorships) isn't a runner. You have to be an amateur to be a real "runner". To me, your logic doesn't make sense.

Of course, a LAQ is a quilter--they are probably the "ultimate" quilters, at least by definition. If "quilting" is actually putting three layers of fabric together to make a sort of blanket/coverlet/wall hanging, etc., then the person who does that must be the "quilter". At least that is how I look at it.

We had a discussion a while back about "what is a quilt?" Many were very adamant that it had to be THREE layers--a back, middle and top to make a quilt.

But, saying all that, I'd call pretty much anyone involved in the designing, sewing the top and the layers together a quilter. But to me, TECHNICALLY, only those who sew all the layers together is the quilter (by definition). I'd call those of us who love to sew the tops, either specialists in tops or designers or lovers of patchwork--technically. Practically speaking, however, all of us are involved and thus get the title "quilter".

You are definitely correct. I didn't say that just right did I? of course the LAQ are quilters, but in a different way. It's like the designer and the sewer. I guess I feel that the two are totally different in the work that is involved. A quilt top can take anywhere from two weeks to months, whereas putting the three layers together, will take an hour or three but can be accomplished within a day...so there has to be a difference...well, that is the way I see it.

So if a person sets the machine up, but the computer runs the machine and does the quilting, Who is the quilter--the computer? What would you then call the person that loaded the quilt to be quilted? If you work on the creation of a quilt, you are a quilter in my opinion.

A lot of times when I use fleece it will just be two layers since fleece is thick and warm. I still call this a quilt. A lot of people will just a cotton back and top and call it a summer quilt.

I think the only time the definition is important is when you are entering a quilt show/contest then you just abide by their rules - the rest of the time, if you made it, you decide. Just my 3 cents worth - usually I only give 2 cents worth!

If you home looks like Joann fabric... you might be a quilter, If you go to the store with more than one thread on you.... You might be a quilter, If you talk about scraps and its not food.....You might be a quilter, If you have more than one machine... you might be a quilter. Oh... this could go on forever. lol

bwaahahaha!! That is so me. :o

I think I have to agree with you, Jbug

Oh, yes to all of that!! And oh...that thread part... LOLOL! Everyone I know considers it part of my wardrobe now!! ROFL!

Ok, here is another opinion lol....the Quilter who sews all the tiny pieces together is The Quilter. The LAQ who puts the layers together, already has the name of LAQ. See the difference was there all the time.