I've always loved the look of quilts and been fascinated by the traditions involved in the way they used to be made. So much work and so intricate to hand-sew but the finished product is so beautiful!

As a teen, I used to do a lot of crafts - cross-stitch, knitting, crochet, plastic canvas, and I thought it'd be neat to make a quilt, but I can't cut accurately with scissors, and really, I didn't know how to go about it. So it wound up on the back burner although I did make a small tied coverlet for my bed.

Recently, a friend posted pics of her hand-quilting on another online (non-quilting) forum and I give her the credit for reigniting my spark of quilting-related creativity. It wasn't long before I signed up for lessons (of which I've had two of the six already) and the more I do, the more I find I enjoy it. It's not a bad hobby to get sucked into!

My mother made all of my clothes, including my wedding dress. Then she fell in love with quilting. After she made me 3 quilts, I became interested in quilting. I took a beginning class and the rest is history. I miss my mom so much. Each quilt I make brings memories of her.

About 25 years ago, I must have seen someone's quilt which ended up piquing my curiousity about one new craft to try (like you, I've done lots of things in the past). So, I went to a sewing machine shop and bought my Pfaff Hobby sewing machine which the shop owner assured me was a good one for quilting. He was right in that it's good for beginners but I've, thankfully/hopefully, outgrown it in the past decade! _:-)_

I didn't do much for about ten years, just played with the machine, making curtains and such. Then my sister asked me to go to a local Adult Education class on quilting. She hated it and I loved it. End of story. I've been quilting ever since and have upgraded that Pfaff several times over.

I used to sew a lot, but then the kids came and ran out of time. I had taught myself to crochet and did that since I was 15. Crocheted a lot, designs my own patterns and even had quite a few of them published. Then the arthritis started in my hands and they would just cramp up so bad when I tried to crochet. Saw a quilt at work. Every time I saw it I became more and more interested in making a quilt. Now, I'm hooked!

I went to some quilt shows and fell in love with them. I have been collecting quilt books for quite some time now and love my books.

I make other crafts and just had to get into quilting.

I was given a beautiful quilt for my 18th birthday. I took a few years to learn to use a sewing machine, making small bits and bobs, bags and the like and am now making my first.

So basically my Auntie Pat inspired me to begin.

I was an avid cross stitcher. but then my kids came along
the youngest two have diasabilities and are only 11 months apart.
very hard to cross stitch while chasing after 2 small children
So I tried quilting, everything by hand!
It was great as I could put it down and pick it back up in 15 minutes and get right back to work! no trying to find my spot on the pattern or recounting a row!
My boys will be 17 and 18 in October!

Eighteen years ago I worked full time at the local hospital and part time for my bf's cabinet shop. When we decided to get married my then bf now dh told me that I wasn't going to work for him anymore. I asked him what was I suppose to do with my spare time? (full time at the hospital was 32 hrs). He told me to find a hobby!! I told him I wanted to take up quilting so he bought everything I needed!! Been sewing ever since.

Saw a raffle quilt and thought that I could do better. Learned a lot since then. Did not realise that it was a group effort.

I started quilting after reading the Elm Creek Series. sss

Could sew & embroider by the time I was 12 and grew up watching my DM and DGM Quilt. DGM hand pieced & Hand quilted. DM hand quilts & does embroidery; she doesn't piece.

7 or 8 yrs ago my 2n'd DS went to WalMart with DH and I. I stoped to drool over the material. DS was about 9 or 10 at the time. He found some solar system "cheater panel" & was so excited. DH asked if I could make a lap quilt out of it.

"Of course I can" Where did that come from?

The next thing I knew I had a sandwich and was hand quilting one stitch at a time.

Ive been Hand quilting ever since.

I slept under antique quilts when I was a kid... love Little House on the Prairie, The Waltons, Anne of Green Gables, etc. - love to sew and create...

My DGM gave me a quilt top when I was 20 something. She said, "I don't want to quilt, but my Mum put this together and maybe someday you would want to quilt it." I put it in a large Macy's bag and dragged it from house to house. Eight years ago, saw a sign on church "Tuesday morning ladies quilt mtg..all welcome" Dropped by and they showed me how to rock a needle, around a big frame. They told me to buy a sheet for the back and I did. It took me almost two years to get it done, but I thought if she could make all those tiny stitches to piece it, I could hand quilt it!! Lone quilted for the next six years and made 40 quilts.
Jeannie in GA

I have sewn since about 5 years old when my Mom let me make doll clothes with her scraps. Made garments, home dec projects all my life. Started quilting 5 years ago while caring for my Mom who had alzheimers. She slept so much of the time but could not be left alone and I really, really, needed something to do besides TV and reading. Haven't stopped quilting since. Love it. Don't need any other hobbies.

I wanted to make one with the scraps from the nursery set I was sewing for my daughter. It's a mishmash of muslin, poly-blend sheets, home decor canvas and a flannel canvas, if you can believe that! Still my favorite.

My Ex Mil was a quilter, and I loved her quilts, so she taught me. I always loved crafting though, almost any type!

I had no intest in quilting, just sewing. I would hand sew Barbie clothes... then I got pregnant and was on bed rest. I had NOTHING to do. So my grandmother (who knew I could sew well) sent me a quilt for the baby. I layed in bed and quilted my first quilt for my son. Have loved it ever since.

Quilting is in the DNA. Either you love it or you don't. My Great grandmother quilted, so did two out of her four daughters. One of my grandmothers made my husband and I one for a wedding present 36 years ago. Always wanted to quilt but just didn't take the time. Made my first quilt 26 years ago and been going strong ever since. Have always loved the old patterns and fabrics. I now make each and everyone of my grand children a quilt before they are born. I have even gotten my mother and her sister into quilting. They are loving it. Hopefully one of my own daughters will take up the bug. Got my grand daughter a sewing machine for Christmas and can't wait to make a quilt with her.

QuiltingAddict, love your Great Grandmothers square in a square quilt, it is superb!!

I can't remember the first quilt I saw, most likely in a book but I have always loved them and knew one day when I got 'old' I wanted to learn how to do it, when I had more time on my hands.
Gal

I'm a bit like Gal...collected fabric and quilting items for years before getting started. There was always something pulling me in the direction of quilting. I have like many, been through some tough times, can't stand to be cold, travelled a lot....quilts equated to love and comfort for me, so I suspect that is what drew me to the craft. Quilts are not just beautiful, but practical...another bonus for someone like me.

I have collected quilts for years and my grandmother quilted. In addition I made a couple of baby quilts because I like the artistic end of quilting. But I started to quilt in earnest because of a death in the family. I couldn't throw away their clothes so I made a crazy quilt out of them. That was the first full size quilt I finished.

My sis and I decided to try quilting after my mom passed away. Mom had hand sewed and hand quilted quilts for my sisters son and my daughter. Hers is gone but mine was used by my three kids and my DGD was trying to claim it next. We thought it would be fun and remind us of our mom. She made a couple and didn't like it. I have never stopped. I'm hooked.

My love of sewing started only a few years ago. I started sewing my daughter's clothes and even started a business selling children's clothes. It's only been in the last 6 months or so that I moved to quilting. I made a baby quilt for a friend and never turned back! I love quilting wayyy more than making anything else!!!

I cross stitched for 17 years. Got tired of making little pictures to hang on the wall, as cute as they are. Wanted to make something to use and to keep warm.

I am so glad you found your way to quilting. At the time I got involved, I was doing mostly counted cross stitch and didn't want another hobby. But the friend who got me cross stitching wanted me to take a quilting class with her so I signed up. It has been an addiction since then!

I started quilting because I had boxes and bags of scraps left over from making clothes for myself and family. I started sewing at the age of nine on my mother's featherweight and was soon stitching just about everything. When I was a poor university student, I already had friends starting their families and I needed inexpensive baby gifts. They all got tied baby quilts made of poly/cotton broadcloth, gingham or small prints and bibs made from my overflowing scrap bin. I've been quilting ever since. It's my sanity saver and my passion.

I became interested after visiting a quilt show and seeing all the beautiful quilts displayed. I have always loved crafts and just found this a natural progression. I love it!

Hugs

Caroline

I have always enjoyed sewing since very young. Later I loved to look at quilts that were made by others. Finally the kid swere all grown, and one day going through boxesI found a quilt that I had started years ago. Finished it and haven't stopped trying to quilt since then.

You know how many times I've been asked that? Can't count the times. Everyone I meet and find out that I quilt they say "You quilt? Who quilts? Why? Isn't that for old ladies" I think at one time it was a fading art that has found its way back and I love the fact that in this busy world there are still those of us that choose out of the love of fabric and creativity to quilt. I started quilting out of hard times that left me broken. It stitched together my heart and warmed my soul after a bitter cold divorce. I beleive that every quilt I make is a snap shot in time of what was going on at the moment.

I saw a magazine in the newsagents many years ago, and thought it would be "a bit of fun for a hobby"

Too many years later, I have a studio and way too much fabric, too many books and too much fabric!!

I've been inspired by books. The more I read, the more I got hooked!

I love your story..and the quilts that come out of it, must be beautiful!

I came about it by accident. met an older lady (in her 80's) at a birthday party,she invited me to come to an open group on wednesdays during the day. I have been hooker ever since..it has been about 5 years now.
my only regret, is that i didn't start until a few months after my dad passed..and i had already taken his clothes to a mens shelter. I wish i had some of his things to make a quilt out of it..for all his grandkids. I did save his winter jacket,gloves and hat and cane. so in the winter, i put it all on and shovel the snow in the quiet of the evening..

I had a friend who quilted along with her mother and sister. Then I saw an abstract picture of our flag in a catalog and thought "could I do that". That was my very first pieced quilted wall hanging (had done hand quilting as I love detail work). I still have it and I hang it out every national holidays. Today, I get lost in the process of quilting and forget all troubles. Along with the joy of quilting I found this site and now am "hooked" on another joy; all you wonderful quilters. Good thoughts.

I started quilting with my Mom and Aunt when very small,put it away when my children were small, took it up again as they got older. Went from traditional patch work to landscapes, hand piecing and quilting to machine and back again. When I need to expedite something it is by machine my fav is by hand.

I started sewing doll clothes and things for myself when I was in late grade school. Eventually I sewed for my 4 kids. The last thing I made for myself was a jacket. The pattern was wrong and at least two others could have fit into it with me. So I cut and pieced and made several quilted vests. When we retired that was my goal, to quilt. So much fun!!

About 28 years ago a friend enrolled me in a beginning quilt class and have been quilting ever since. I love it!!!

I bought an embroidery machine and I loved it so much that I started making memory quilts. Then I joined a group that made all kinds of quilts. I have not stopped since. Still with the group and now I have joined a strip club so every other month we make a new quilt. We went into a restaurant and told the guy at the counter we were strippers. Needless to say he didn't know what to say. It is a lot of fun.

I have loved quilts for as long as I can remember (which is when I was 2 yrs old. My grandmother & aunt made quilts & my mom & other aunts all had quilts on the beds, couches, etc. I always knew I would make quilts someday & started my stash, which was added to from scraps my aunts & grandmother sent me. Stored them in a trunk for years til I finally had time to quilt. I had 4 children in 5 yrs & needless to say didn't have time or energy to quilt til they were older. I would periodically pull out my stash & look through it & dream. I'm now retired & can quilt as much as I like, & I'm loving it!

My grandmothers and aunts quilted, but I have never had the interest when I was younger. About 15 years ago I bought a precut quilt kit and pieced & hand quilted the entire thing. I would get frustrated and put it away. It took me over 5 years to complete. It wasn't a hard quilt and I only outlined the applique (a little farmer boy) and each block. But, I didn't know what I was doing. I still have it. It's folded across the foot of the bed in my quest room. Did not quilt again until the past winter. It was so snowy and I decided that I was going to get on line and learn how to machine quilt, since my hand quilting left something to be desired. I was hooked. And I found this board that has taught me so much. I'm still learning and feel more confident with each quilt, but I know that I have a fountain of knowledge here with all the wonderful quilters and how they will share what they've learned. Thank you!