My mom taught me to sew as a child and told me one day, "Everyone should have a hobby they love because a good hobby is like being with your best friend, always there for you, good times or bad." For me, my sewing has always been "MY" place that gives me energy and lifts me up whether it is a garment for myself, a special gift for someone or even just re-organizing my fabric. On a bad day it grounds me and on a good day my imagination just flows. I just have to pick up a piece of fabric and my sense of peaceful creativity returns. So if we take away our tendency to strive for the perfect stitch or prize winning quilts what is it that we all love so much.

What is your very best thing or memory or experience of sewing and quilting?

My favorite memories of sewing and quilting were those with my Mom. I miss her so much. Today would have been her birthday and I was quite blue, but I have good memories.

I remember my Mom making a quilt & using the bed to lay it out & work on it. I never realized how hard that must have been until I started quilting myself. I miss her too & wish she could have seen what she inspired in me!

I also believe everyone should have a hobby, I've taught my DD's this as well.
Idle hands can get a person in trouble. :)

When I tackle something that is particularly hard (or persnickety) and I trudge on and succeed and learn - my hobby makes me grow as a person, as an artist, and it is such a feeling of accomplishment. Nothing else compares to it.

When I am sewing, I get a "runner's high" and lose myself completely. I have been known to lose track of time and sew all day until I can barely stand up! It gives me a feeling of accomplishment and connection with my loved ones who are no longer here.

My favorite memories are spending time 'til the wee hours of the morning stitching clothes with my Grama's Singer on their back porch in the Summertime. Boy I sure miss them, thanks for bringing those memories back :-D .

I remember rolling tobacco with my Grandpa....but I guess that was a different hobby. lol

My crafts also ground me. They are my stress release & when I'm away from them for any length of time I get very tense. No matter how badly my body hurts, a good day is one where I've accomplished something with my crafts; whether it's drawing up an original pattern for something or making headway on a project. Favorite memories are of my girls standing over me, asking, "Is it done yet?" as I made them special items because they couldn't wait to wear them.

My best experience with sewing is when i try something new and manage to complete it without stress! It a real sense of accomplishment for me. Then there is the "cleaning up the sewing area" I do that to get inspiration for the next project.

I have been wondering why I feel like quilting and sewing so much lately. I guess it is all the stress in my life. It makes you feel good to accomplish and create.

My favoriate memory is with my "step grandmother". This was back in the 50's. I was about 5 years old. My step dad would clear out her dining room every year after Christmas. The he would set up some boards of which I had no idea for what they were used. All of a sudden all these woman would sit in chairs and sew on this big cloth. One year I ask them what was going on. My grandmother told me about the "blanket" I liked to cover up with when I took a nap, and how all these ladies made it. Of course the blanket was a quilt. Then she ask me if I would like to learn. That was my very first experience with quilting. Every year I sat with the ladies, feeling very grown up and making little stitches. I didn't talk because children were to be seen and not heard, but I loved every minute. When I was 12, we moved away and until I was in my 50, quilting never entered my life. When it did, all the memories flooded back in and I remembered how happy I was being allowed to sit with the ladies as we did our little stitches. Every time I go in my quilting room, these happy memories return. Only now do I know how much pleasure all those ladies had each time they sat around all those boards.

my mom did know how to sew, but she got us involved w/ 4-H and that is where i learned to sew. My grandmother quilted, so i find it kinda cool that even though i never met this woman, I am following in her footsteps. My next quilt is using pieces that my grandmother cut out and turning it into a beautiful quilt to give to my mother. That day I can't wait to see the look on my mom's face when she sees it.

Stitching and quilting has always been my sanity saver. Whether I am tired, sad or upset, it is a time to sit, unwind and regain some energy and clarity for what lies ahead. When I was deep in grief after losing my parents in such a short time, stitching on quilts from scraps of fabric from home really helped me work things through. An added bonus is the "Memories of Home" quilts that I have created, one for each of my sisters and myself. My sewing is a huge part of who I am and is something that I can share with others.

my Grannie sewed. I guess it was her peace too since she worked all day in a cotton mill making bedspreads and then came home at night and sewed on stuff for her. She taught me to sew and while as far as I know she only made one quilt she inspired me. And Mortymnts I love the way your mother described sewing! Its my best friend too!

That's awesome!

I have always enjoyed sewing, making clothing for myself and my daughter. It was my outlet, what made me feel I had "worth". But one of the things that I was so proud of was sewing for my son. He had bought his first car, an old MD midget. The insides were in shambles, but he was so proud. No money to buy new seats or even seat covers , and the stuffing was coming out of the original. For his birthday I had him remove the seats, frame and all, and I carefully removed the old leather and foam, ripped apart seams, cut out patterns and proceeded to make him new seats . I used my Featherweight! Then we cut and glued down new carpet. He was so proud of those seats, and all his friends would come by and inspect what I was doing, and they all thought I was just the coolest, most clever mom in the world. Rick was 16 then, and now at 53, he still talks about me making those seats And he believes there isn't anything mom can't do with a sewing machine!! Actually, all my kids think that, and at times they really push the limits!LOL

Although my mom was a sewer and made lots of clothes, she was not a quilter. I started quilting after I retired and found it to be just wonderful. My eight year old granddaughter make her first complete block yesterday and it was a very great feeling to see this accomplishment and the joy she had with her work. Just love it.

Us younger kids would roll and tie the quilts the older girls would cut out squares for mom and mom would sew, sew and sew some more. My Mom made over 100 quilts one year and every one in family got one at the time it was 11 kids 59 gran kidss 23 great grand. this was several years ago but I still have mine. She passed away but her quilts live on and we had a great time helping her.

My story is quite different! I had never touched a sewing machine until 5 years ago. Nobody in my family ever owned a sewing machine, not grandmothers, mothers, not anyone. When I found out I was having a girl, I decided to learn to sew. My amazing mother in law taught me. I'm soooo lucky to have such a special woman in my life. She and I are closer than my own mother and I. We are very much alike. I am so thankful that she taught me to sew, it's changed my life and brought me such happiness!

When I'm having a bad day, all I have to do is walk into my studio and the stress just literally melts away. I call it my Zen...

My Grandma tought me to sew; she never quilted but I know she would love it and would have used every leftover fabric as a real quilter would do those days. I remember cold days in her bedroom where the treadle Singer machine was, sewing doll clothes or other projects.
These days, every time I am threading my machine I remember her when she asked me to thread the machine for her and after that her comment "what a sweet girl you are- Good keep your good sight" I wish I could have shared with her some of my today's projects and the beautiful fabrics and notions we have.

My Mom insisted that we all learn to sew , and by HIgh School , I had to make all my own clothes. I remember her telling me once when I was "resisting" "that once you learn to sew .. You will never be bored". She was right. If I had to retire tomorrow , I still would not have enough time to make all the projects I have in mind.

Sewing for me is a stress reliever. I take care of my disabled DH and our 2 kids (young teenagers) plus everything else that has to be done around here.. I"m the only one who drives so I do all the running of kids, taking DH to the Dr's, etc. When I get free time for just me, I retreat to my sewing area.

It so relaxing to me.. well unless I cut off a HST and it's a whole 1/4" off! :lol:

I also had a wonderful MIL. My own mother died when I was a senior in high school. When I met my future MIL I was not quite "finished" yet. She took me under her wing and taught me to crochet and cook. I knew how to sew from school, but we spent many hours looking at fabrics and patterns. She died in 2008 at the tender age of 102 and I miss her every single day. She really "got" me. Knew what I liked (and I her) and helped in so many ways. When I'm at the machine she's always near.

My dad built roads in Alaska in the 50's and 60's, so we were out in the sticks with no towns nearby (because there wasn't a road there yet) so I learned to sew Barbie clothes when I was 6 or 7. I also learned to knit and crochet for the dolls.

My very first quilt show. I was just awed what could be dreamed up and sewn together. It was fun to be around a crowd who were just as in love with quilting as I was.

Still feels the same.

My favorite sewing memory is also with my mother. I was doing some bridal consulting for extra money and decided that I could make nicer ring bearer pillows than you find in the store. Mother and I went all over town shopping for nice fabrics, ribbons, charms, etc. I bought a sewing machine (hers was broken) and we worked together in her dining room to complete the pillows. There are a few I can't part with because she and I both loved the fabric so much. She would be so amazed that I'm even attempting to quilt today.

I agree that hobbies are great friends. I have several and can always find something to do.