I have just been reading the thread on bad habits of quilters and it got me to thinking.

I love fabrics, notions, patterns, everything related to quilting. My mom was a life-long quilter and in the past few years I have had a 'longing' to be a quilter.

I've made three quilt tops and have quilt fabric, kits, patterns out the wazoo(sp?) but I've never thought of myself as a quilter because I haven't completed a quilt. I am scared to death to make that sandwich and start quilting - either machine or hand.

So...can I call myself a quilter or am I just a wanna-be chicken?

You made 3 quilt tops?? I think you are a quilter-in-progress!! :D hahaha

You're a quilter. You may not be the most experienced, neither am I, but you are still a quilter. We're all in progress to some extent, and I'm sure we all have a long list of things we still want to make and/or complete.

I am not sure when you can consider yourself a quilter. Maybe when it becomes a obsession!!! LOL. I am sorry maybe I should have said an addiction no that's not the right word either. Oh! I know when the fabric's starts talking to you, no that's paranoia. HUM!! I think I need counseling. LOL.
Now stop being afraid of that quilt and get busy so you can tell others you are a quilter.

Edited to say:
I know what the right word is now. It is when quilting becomes a passion not just a hobby.
I am just joking with you. You are a quilter.

You are a quilter... you just have UFO's instead of finshed quilts :D:D:D

Many quilters make the patchwork tops and "quilt by cash" meaning they send it out to a longarm quilter. If you have made the top, you are a quilter in my book.

I have a friend who is, as she calls herself, a "mental quilter." She thinks about quilting and is good with design and fabric, only she doesn't actually make the quilt. She's a great friend and goes on our quilt retreats with us.

Good question.

I totally agree with Mattee but wanted to add a little fun to it! :D

Gday, i agree with cjomomma. I am a quilter with a PHD (projects half done) LOL :)

Congratulations your a Quilter !!! With 3 tops made, thats the cool part of the craft so much variety, in levels and choice, that can apply. Hope you've enjoyed the process, when finished up, thats a cool feeling!! Don't let the finishing intimidate you might as well jump, remember tack and tied are also finished with out the pressure of the machine.
Happy Quilting :)

I am a quilter. I figure if I have over 30 tops waiting to be quilted and 10-12 UFO's, and donate quilts to Project Linus monthly, I am a quilter. I go to quilt retreats to finsih UFO's undisturbed (except for the fun) and don't miss a day without quilting in my life or buying fabric weekly. So many definitions of a quilter.

@ cjomomma ~ thanks for starting my day with a giggle.
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@ glenda5253 ~ I'm glad you put this out there. In my Mind I think of myself as a quilter - but I can't say that out loud to anyone. Not as skilled as most here, I'm just now returning to it after a 2 & 1/2-year break (life happens, sometimes). I've completed about 20 quilts in my illustrious career (lol...), and still... referring to myself as a Quilter... haven't been able to do that. So, I've enjoyed reading everyone's definitions - I've always wanted to be a quilter, and now maybe I can say I am. maybe. heh-heh...

It's really not that hard to put the quilts together, the binding and batting. I just started and only have done two. there are so many video out there that can help you do it. I have a few on my website that I used to learn. If I can do this anyone can. Here is my site thrifyideastoday.com if you want to view the videos. If you do not have a walking foot you may just want to use the thick thread to bind them by needle (I will get you the name of the thread later today)

I'm more a cut-up and piece maker! My fingers and shoulder will not allow me to do much hand stitching, but I'd be clumbsy if I did. SO I machine everything possible, limitedly. But I think of myself as a quilter.

Blessings, Ruth

Some people machine stitch the binder on. Stitch in the ditch. I may try that on my next quilt.

Gee, I was in a fabric store yesterday, and a lady asked me if I was a quilter? I hestitated, then said "yes"! I had to think about it, am I a quilter I asked myself? I am not your traditional quilter, I have machine quilted about 8 lapquilts, one full size, about as many baby quilts. Along with a few table runners and more in progress! I have two lap quilts waiting to be finished, and just started on another full size quilt. I love scrappies and like to do my own thing with designs. I have managed to collect a sewing room full of fabric, tools and etc. I also like to sew projects for babies and other sewing things. Gee, guess that makes me some kind of quilter after all!

That sounds like me. I tell everyone I am a novice quilter because that's what I consider myself. My DDIL took me to a new quilt shop the other day and the proprietor asked me if I was a quilter. I always have to think about it because I don't always do things in the traditional way, I machine piece, machine quilt and machine embroider on many of my projects, but I am still a quilter. When I told the lady what I have made, she said I am not a novice. I still have trouble wrapping my mind around that.

if you have made a quilt (even a quilted pot holder) you certainly call yourself a quilter if you want to ...some quilters just piece tops, some quilters just quilt quilts, some people do both..it's all relative

I still hesitate to call myself a "Quilter." It's flattering to be called one but then I think of all those times I've spent more time with my seam ripper than my family (I'm thinking of naming the seam ripper-make it seem less sad, lol). Part of me just thinks that these people would be less impressed if they actually knew how many times I've had to fix things. :lol:

I *thought* I was a quilter, but at a weekend seminar once, my tablemate stood up, rapped on the table, and announced to the room, "I'll have it here known that my table mate, Jan -- is a fabric fondler, not a quilter!"

She was right; I'd spent the better part of an hour pulling out, folding, and re-folding fabric because I couldn't decide!! But she didn't have to announce it to the world!~!

So, Hi, my name is Jan and I am a fabricophile who calls herself a quilter. :oops:

bawk - backbackback! Nothing wannabe about it. lol

Naw, you're a wannabe quilter. How else are you going to learn? What is the worst that can happen?

I am now taking quilting classes to focus on getting better with my machine quilting. Until now, I have limited myself to Stitch-in-the-ditch straight-style quilting. Not perfect, but done!

Comeon, chicky! You can do it.

Sounds like me except I haven't made it to a retreat yet. It's on my list!

Ladies (and gentlemen, if applicable) you have made my day! Your answers are precious...and some extremely funny. Thank all of you for your support and confidence building. I love this board!!!

I think...I will consider myself a (whisper) quilter!?!?!

PS: After I started this thread I read another r/t doing a rag quilt and it suddenly dawned on me I have completely finished a rag quilt. I wasn't happy with the finished project and it is stored away somewhere.

Now I know (by following this board), I am much too critical of my work and I need to find that rag quilt for my 2-yr-old DGD. It is pink and in the shape of a cat with applique eyes, nose and mouth.

This board is a real morale-booster!!!

When I take the brand new finished quilt out of the washer and hang it on the line and stand back and look at it and watch it flap in the breeze then I can say I am a quilter and know that the quilt and I have bonded for life no matter who has it! Edie

when I learn to do the binding right and it all looks right, then I will call myself a quilter

I still tie most of the quilts I make, as its easier on my back. When people ask me "Oh, you quilt?" I usually say "I'm learning" not because I haven't quilted a queen size, but because I still can't always get my star points to come out right and I haven't tried curves!

You don't have to get your star points perfect! Remember the the 10 foot rule.(I hate rules!!!)Don't be hard on yourself. At least you are living and learning. The fun is in the learning.

We're sometimes too hard on ourselves. The definition of "quilting" is different from "piecing"; but we tend to use the term in a general way. No matter how perfect the finished product, the use of the term will surely never be penalized! We continue to learn. Whether it be an "aha" moment, a helpful friend, something we see in a magazine, a book, online or TV; we keep working at it and get more seasoned. Even the pro's get better. Curiosity is my best friend...I'm not great at it but I call myself a quilter and rejoice when I can also call something - anything - finished. If we never stop learning & jumping at every opportunity we'll get there - or grow old trying!

You are a quilter. Enjoy

I call myself a Quilter , I figure if I spend hour's on hour's
and day's on day's collecting and washing and ironing my
stash of fabric's and then plaining for how I want my quilt to look then set and sew for day's are month's on it and sometimes years then I call myself a Quilter..lol even though I'm always learning something new ,I still call myself a Quilter and have fun doing it. :D :D

I have a friend that pieces the most beautiful quilts and then sends them out to be LA machine quilter. She calles herself a "piecer". I did not start out with a long arm machine. I started by quilting my first quilt (king size) on my domestic - just pinned like crazy and stitched in the ditch. At that moment I was a quilter. I made several quilt tops after that and sent them out to be quilted and I considered myself a quilter. Now I have a HQ-16 and am just learning on it but I consider myself a quilter. There is no quilt police so you don't have to be perfect and everybody had to start somewhere. So I think you should get yourself some spray to baste with and some pins and go to town on those quilt tops. After all, it's just fabric and, so far, just a hobby. Go for it.

:D :D :D :D PennyJ I'm with you I alw3ays wanted to be a PHD

You can call yourself a quilter. If you have completed tops, your a quilter, now the next step will be putting the top, batting and back together and actually quilting it. OR as in one of my friends cases. Find a long arm quilter and have her do the quilting on her machine. My friend actually completes about 40 projects a year this way. She pieces and appliques the tops, sends them out to be quilted and then adds the bindings.

Well said cjomomma! And just remember you'd never see it from a trotting horse. :lol:

You could be called a "topper". I have about 16 tops ready to quilt but I freeze up when it comes to quilting. So I guess I am a topper also. I actually have three sandwiched and hope to start them this weekend.
Nothing wrong with being a topper.

[quote=cjomomma]I am not sure when you can consider yourself a quilter. Maybe when it becomes a obsession!!! LOL. I am sorry maybe I should have said an addiction no that's not the right word either. Oh! I know when the fabric's starts talking to you, no that's paranoia. HUM!! I think I need counseling. LOL.
Now stop being afraid of that quilt and get busy so you can tell others you are a quilter.

Edited to say:
I know what the right word is now. It is when quilting becomes a passion not just a hobby.
I am just joking with you. You are a quilter.[/quote
Well said Cjomomma! Oh, and how about when you think fabric looks delicious?!

I think you can call yourself a quilter. If there is one thing that I have learned from this forum and from some very experienced quilters who have mentored and encouraged me there are some fears to overcome. I am a very tactile person--have to touch the fabrics in the store, so I find that each phase of making a quilt is a different and pleasing experience. First I love the feel of the cotton as I start to cut and sew. Then the feel changes when you complete the sandwich and then another new feel when you are quilting and binding. Don't be afraid to jump into the next step. It is scary the first time but you will be so proud of yourself when it is done!

Is there s church group that does quilting in your area? Perhaps you could join them. Undoubtedly they would help you get started either hand or machine. Another place is to check the Senior Center. If you have made 3 tops, I would say your a quilter. Good Luck!

I think we compare ourselves to the great quilters, the ones who enter their quilts into contests and quilt shows! At least I do, I have come a very long way but in comparision not even to close to being a great quilter. Having said that, I realize that my quilts are loved and appreciated, therefore, I am happy to be whatever kind of quilter I am at this stage of the game! I must say though, I do quilt mine own quilts, just something I feel I need to do at this stage of the game anyway!

I think that after you complete your first project, it initiates you into the world of a quilter. After that comes stash, ufo's, notions, and more patterns than you will ever use LOL.