I have a question... How do you value your work?
After wandering around here for a couple of weeks I began to wonder a bit about what 'making a quilt' means to people.

Is the value in the process- creating pattern, sewing, quilting, or is it the finished project?
Do you see quilting as an artistic expression or a project?

What makes this process/medium/hobby appeal to you and what makes it satisfying?

Quilting speaks to my soul. The process, even the mistakes, is something that satisfies me. I don't know why. I'm not terribly creative, nor am I a terrific piecer. I'm average. But I love it. I have to say that the value of my work is the pleasure I get from it.

I guess my inspiration for my quilts is what I really enjoy. I don't like a quilt to take too long to complete. If it takes too long, I loose interest, or become too critical in my work.
I enjoy the projects that "speak" to me the most. Sometimes it is because I am excited about the gift it will be once it is complete, or sometimes it is the fabric that I love and I just have to find the right pattern for it.
My inspiration comes from many places.
Also, it is my "break" from the real world. It takes me to a more simplistic place where I can just put pieces of fabric together and make these amazing looking products. I don't need to worry about being a Mom, a boss, a wife, a daughter, or any of those things, I just sew and think of how neat and satisified I am with the outcome.

I have to agree with the casual quilter on this. For me it's the process that brings be satisfaction. Don't get me wrong, I like a beautiful final product, but if I only complete one quilt a year or even less, it is irrelevant. I joined a UFO challenge a couple of years back and realized that it was nice to have peer encouragement to finish projects that had been languishing, but I wasn't getting any pleasure from it, merely frustration. So now I have my own personal UFO and WIP tracking system which I find encourages me, but doesn't pressure me.
Diana

I'd say quilting is my "therapy", along with a few other crafts. It is something that I do for me. No one else meddles with it, and I get the satisfaction of being creative and having something to show for it. I usually have several projects going at the same time too. I have UFO's, nut work on them when the mood strikes me! :)

I make quilts because I like to make quilts. It is relaxing (except when it is exasperating!)

I think the value lies in all of those areas you mentioned...the artistry, the skill, the materials, the product...you just can't buy a quilt at Walmart like one that is hand made. You might be able to get a pretty throw or bed quilt that will last you a few years, but some day when you are at a department store look closely at those quilts. Then compare them to just a simple bed quilt at the next quilt show you attend. A well made quilt will out live even the prettiest Queen sized made in Indonesia comforter, and it has the added bonus of love and intent within its stitches. ;)

i just love the process from start to finish

It is a creative outlet that has a beautiful ending. It also keeps my retired mind active.

Since i donate my baby quilts, for me the value is leaving the hospital knowing that i have brightened someones day! I love to design, piece, and quilt each one as if they were my own. They become "my babies". There is no value or price i could name for the feeling i get knowing they are going to comfort a sick child and thier parents. I could never charge a price for that.
For me, quilting has become my way of "giving back" in some small way.

I am a process person by nature which is why deadlines and comittments are very good for me. (Forces me to FINISH). Generally I spend a lot of time sorting and planning and coloring little grid squares. The more steps in a block, the happier I am. But I also love to give my quilts. It is a hug in a bag. Some of my ideas for the future include some art pieces but for now, I step my way down patchwork land.

I started quilting because I wanted one for my own bed and didn't like the Walmart cheater quilts. I saw in my head what I wanted and didn't see how quilting could be any more difficult than making clothing for my family had been back in the day when it was cheaper to make clothing than buy it. Little did I realize about the tiny seam allowances and bazillion patches needed to make a king size quilt but I'm stubborn and darn it! I wanted that quilt I could see in my mind on my bed! Grandbabies and great nieces & nephews started popping out so that gave me another excuse to make quilts instead of sending diapers. I like to dream that many of the quilts I've made will outlive me so there will still be reminders of me & my love when I'm gone.

The finished project...and for me Artistic outlet since I can't draw or paint...I find my fabric is my canvas..
Getting satisfaction of gifting most of my quilts or donating them to a child or soldier...You can only keep a certain no. for yourself before you run out of rm.