<LOL> Mah Jongg? isn't that for old people? <ducking> sorry couldn't resist.

Answer to people who think its little old ladies sitting around a frame in a church basement somewhere. LOL

1. Quilters Newsletter and Quilts Inc. presented the latest results of the Quilting in America™ 2010 survey. This is the sixth in a series of studies done since 1994 with the intent of measuring the amount of time and money quilters spend on their hobby in addition to profiling the key segments of the market. Some findings: Estimated dollar value of the quilting industry is $3.58 billion. Total quilters in the U.S. now exceeds 21 million. In 2010 dedicated quilters spent a total of nearly $2.5 billion. The dedicated quilter has $8,542 in quilting tools and supplies and owns on average $3,677 worth of fabric. Watch for more details on the survey findings in the Summer issue of The Professional Quilter.

Eeeek! Don't tell my husband!!!

I find it frustrating that quilting people in general think tied quilts are just for charity give aways as if they would make something inferior than what they make for family.

Let me post a positive story about poor quilting. My uncle by marriage asked me to repair a quilt his mother had made him years ago. He couldn't use it anymore due to the fraying of some of the seams. The dear lady loved to make quilts, but her work was very imprecise and her hand quilted stitches very uneven. The local quilt guild refused to let her work on their group quilts, but my uncle loved that quilt that had been lovingly created by his mother just for him. I used my silk thread I use for applique so I could match each color, and I painstakingly repaired each frayed seam. I knew his mother, and she was the sweetest lady with a huge heart. I'm glad her son sees the love, not the flaws.

still trying to wrap my mind around $8,542 in quilting tools!!! Wow - that is a pretty decent used car.

Let's see, I have about $300 worth of basic sewing machines, some scissors, yardsticks, thimbles, needles, 4 or 5 quilting hoops. I don't think I would even reach $500.

Now fabric, that's another story!

I think it is so sad to hear that so many on this board experience so much negitivity. For my part I have only had positive comments.
My second quilt was a celebration of bad workmanship as I didnt know what I was doing and made it up .. The friend who received it was awed and impressed. I often have something I am hand quilting at my offfice to fill time if a client cancels. people often stop by to look aand the comments they make are always admiring and at t mes hopeful that if there isnt a recipient they can get it for themselves. My gifts are always displayed with pride those receiving them often dont do any handwork but have the appreciation for it.

"Interesting" Remarks
 

All through life I have had to fend off hurtful remarks.
"You're a teacher so you don't have a real job." "Do you know how tall you are?" "You know how to use a chain saw?" "Why would anyone sew?" "Ewwww, you got that at a yard sale, how awful!" "You let your children go to foreign countries --- people are different there!!!" On and on. Sometimes my brain works well and I give a very sweet, thought provoking comment that makes anyone listening realize how wrong the speaker is. Sometimes I just smile and stare at them until they start to think. My husband says just to consider the source. I liked the comment about pigs, right on!

Good Lord, why on earth would someone say teaching isn't a real job? I think it's one of the hardest jobs now a days.

A good reply to those who comment on your height-Do you know how short you are?

I had a strange girl say to me once after working with me several times side by side, "I thought you were taller." I told her, after pulling my chin off the ground-"Why, yes I was taller but I decided that 5' would be just so much better. " Sarcastically of course.

I cant imagine all that negativity - I have been very lucky I have lots of support and cheering for my quilting - infact I have a family waiting list for quilts lol but then I have lots of positive people in my life and tend to shut the negative ones out....