I was turned on by creative, beautiful, bright, happy, artistic quilts I would see at fabric stores. I've sewn since 5, but 10yrs ago switched from garment sewing to quilts. My 1st quilt class got me hooked. I love the endless possibility I now find in quilting.

My love of history inspired me to start quilting. It started in high school, when I took my first class and made a friendship star block. I was an American history major in college, and I feel the two go hand in hand. I love reading about how quilts came to be made, their purpose in the household and community, how they were/are prized possessions, how and why we associate certain fabric colors/patterns with certain time periods, how blocks got their names, etc. etc. In fact, reading a great book right now called "Quilts From the Civil War", and learning a lot; those of you who sell at craft fairs and make quilts for our soldiers are carrying on some great traditions!

quilting goes back several generations in my family my sister has my grandmothers quilts and unfortunately won't share them with the rest of us

My back barely survived a car wreck and my active retirement life seems now to have 2 choices: sit and watch TV or sit and quilt. Quilting won because have you seriously tried to watch TV all day?

Same here! I have just reorganized my sewing room & have gotten rid of lots of garment fabric- to make room for more quilting fabric!

No one in my family ever sewed or quilted, it was just something I latched onto after 7th grade home ec. My husband's grandma made all kinds of quilts, but she called them comforters & they were all tied & finished "envelope" style. She told me I was the first "outsider" ever to get one because we weren't married yet when she gave it to me! Unfortunately a lot of her quilts didn't stand the test of time. She would use absolutely anything in them, much of it fabric given to her & not great quality. They were well used while they lasted though!

I have always sewed a lot, clothes mostly. In my younger days, they didn't make tall clothing below size 12, so if I wanted skirts and pants that were long enough, I had to make my own. Anyhow, scraps and old clothes became my first quilts, which were hardly more than 4" squares sewed together, in no particular design.

Then later, a coworker talked me into a quilting class at the local Hancock's, and I was hooked.

Back in the 70's when there was a new wave of things crafted, I saw many quilts and quilted jackets etc coming into fashion, I started a Grand mothers Flower garden. I have always sewn but more recently got into quilts now that I am semi retired.

Gal

My grandmother quilted and I have 2 of hers...hand done of course. When I was about 20 something I saw a pattern for a beautiful appliqued quilt. I bought the book and tried my best to follow the directions, but failed miserably. I still have it is a bag somewhere..I remember I bought sheets to make it out of so it may not even be cotton! Tomorrow I am taking a class in hand applique...only 40 some years later...at The Road to California Quilt show. If I get the hang of it and like it I might dig out that old book and start again.

I have made some other quilts since then, but all machine made. I really enjoy that, so I will just be expanding my talents tomorrow.

I always wanted to learn. My mom sewed some things when we were little but never had the time to teach us. A friend of mine mentioned going to a quilt camp while we were watching our children play soccer. I told her that I would like to go with her some time. She got me the info to sign up for the camp the following year. I went and was hooked. I attended four more camps with her. The expense just got to be too much. She still goes.

I learned to sew starting at 9 from my mother and many years of 4-H, but always wanted to learn to quilt. Well, life got in the way but about 6 months after retiring I saw a sign in JoAnn's about a beginning quilting class. I took the class--9 years ago this month. I love quilting. It is my passion and my relaxation.