This is such a good topic for discussion. I fit into both categories depending on the quilt I'm working on. Charity quilts get the "speedy me", and for others I am slow and deliberate. My observation is that people new to quilting tend to get discouraged because they cannot put tops together as fast as they thought they could. What a wonderful lesson it would be for them to hear our discussion on enjoying the process.

I sew fast because I sew with goals and have a personal goal of at least one quilt top every two months. Once my pieces are cut and ready for sewing, I make goals like...sew all four patches together. The next time I sit down to sew it is my goal to finish the next step and so on. I work full time and only get a few hours here and there to sew so I take full advantage of the previous time I squeeze in. I really enjoy sewing, but I love the feeling of finishing a top and dreaming about the next one. When I get around to quilting that's all I will do for a bit until I wear the top pile down to a manageable level.

Some measure themselves on how fast they can complete a quilt . I use what ever measurement makes me feel good.
Yes there are times when I have been teased about needing to get a water cooled machine.. but thats after sewing many many strips and I am anxious to get onto the next step. There is a definate correlation between my boredom factor and how fast I sew. But I never sacrifice accuracy for speed.

It's all about the enjoyment, and that's an individual thing.
I've never group-quilted. I truly enjoy the *me* time and quite honestly, I'm not a big people person.
Also I think I would hate wagging around my machine, and all that goes with it.
Having worked with the public for many years, I can't say I miss being around others.
But now, this board....love, love, LOVE being a part of this family. Even if I'm sitting quietly in the corner much of the time :)

So when are we meeting up? At least you aren't 1000's of miles away... I really enjoy the whole the whole process of making quilts. I am making four of the same quilts for my staff. It is over a year in the making. They are QAYG, and since I'm getting tortured trying to put the first together, I'm getting frustrated. I put mine together, and will be taking it apart, ASAP.. Forget about the chores. Things can rot if I'm in quilt mode..

I am poky -- I try to make sure my cuts are accurate and for me that takes time. I try to make sure my seams are accurate and for me that takes time. I go to class and am the last one done (rarely finish a project in class). I love what goes into quilting. When I was younger I would do a marathon sew during vacation and make (or remake) as many as 3 outfits a day -- don't do that any more. I love the process and just work slow but steady to get to end.

I took a class a few months ago, and one of the ladies had a machine that went faster than all the other machines in the class. I'm wondering if it was a commercial machine. If the class I'm taking has mostly beginners I am usually the first one done, but I never feel like it is a race. I enjoy every bit of the process, but the next project is usually calling me. I even like sewing on the binding.
Sue

We had a saying in the 60s, "Different strokes for different folks" works for me.

Sewing fast increases my stress level. The turtle did finish the race. Maybe it's my age 62 and proud of it. Doesn't bother me if others get more done. I piece and run our longarm quilting business at my own pace so I enjoy it. I'm proud of the work I do and our client's are happy, that's all that counts. Some people are process quilters and some are project quilters. I bet I know which ones are the favorite customers at LQS.

I enjoy mostly all the process, too, but sometimes on a big quilt, I can get a little bored with the 500 HSTs or whatever, and just want to get it done. Plus, sewing fast doesn't mean I don't like to sew - I love it - I just don't see the need to drag it out. If I was only allowed to ever make one quilt in my lifetime, I might slow down and savor every minute step, but luckliy, there are always new projects to be done! I have a friend who has to endlessly audition fabrics and threads and patterns till I'm about ready to scream! Does that mean she likes to quilt more than me? Nope! I can just get more done than she does!