Why Do You Quilt?
 

This may sound like a dumb question but I am curious what motivates you to quilt.

I love to design. It is my first priority and my obsession. I love to use color and design to create what for me is a pretty to beautiful picture. I love to see things when they are done. It gives me a high to see what I have accomplished. but I struggle some through the assembling of the quilt blocks.

I started quilting in 1980 when I was a stay at home mom with 3 kids and I was climbing the walls with boredom of being home all the time. I couldn't afford anything so I used old clothes and learned from shows on tv.

I quilt because it is my outlet for my creative side. I have to quilt to express myself. If I couldn't quilt I would be doing something else as equally creative but Quilting is my first love.

I wish I could say I do it to send quilts to charity but that is not my niche in needlecraft.

I don't make quilts for my family or friends. I know that sounds awful but I am not a big quilt maker. I got into miniature quilting many years ago and I love love my minis. I love the challenge of making small to miniature quilts.

So what motivates you to quilt?? Please share your story! Would love to know what your quilting journey is all about!

I began quilting when I retired. I picked quilting because of all the other sewing or creative hobbies this was one nobody in my family had ever done. I quilt because it stimulates my creative juices and using my hand.
I have found out it is a wonderful escape for stress or depression as it keeps the mind thinking.
Love it and I quilt for me my pleasure my challenge and I enjoyment .

I started quilting to keep people warm, myself, my husband, friends. I continue to quilt because it is an expression of my creativity. I like the comments I get from people about how I used the colors etc. It makes me feel good.

i quilt because to me it is so much fun to take a bunch of pieces
and come out with some thing so beautiful.

I started quilting to combine my love of sewing and the memories of the comfy feeling of sleeping under handmade quilts. I continue to quilt because of the satisfaction when design, color, method and completion come together. I like to make things for my loved ones, my home and others. And, in my sewing room, I get to be in charge!!!lol

I'm a new quilter, but have been sewing since I was a child. Quilting combines my love of fabric and creativity.

Oh My, I don't know if I quilt because I breathe or I breathe because I quilt. Been doing it since the mid 70's. Have never been bored with it or needed to take a break from it, my creative juices are always flowing. Of course I spend more time making quilts now ( everyday ) than I did when raising my 3 daughters. It took longer to make a quilt back then. It is my passion and I love it all, especially hand work, its so relaxing. I love to piece, applique and love to make traditional Crazy Quilts. Quilting is what I do, and who I am.

I have always loved the process of taking basic materials and create. I also weave baskets, crochet, and garden. I do not have any quilts made by an ancestor and I wanted that for my children My love for quilting is driven by the unbelievable variety of fabric and patterns. Who doesn't have a list of future projects and a need for one more yard of fabric? The satisfaction and challenge I find in my sewing room is a fulfilling part of my life.

This is a great moment to reflect... I started quilting after Momma passed, unfortunately... It really couldn't be helped. She and Daddy had moved to where my younger sister settled when she was in her late 60s and went ASAP to the local fabric store, which happened to be a quilt shop.. She got hooked right then after sewing for herself and my three sisters (and even Daddy occasionally!)... But I was teaching, our kids were in full swing late elementary and middle school. So for all those years I simply did not have time... We often talked about the quilting. Momma said "You'll love it when you can..." A friend who was in virtually the same situation and I began to talk one day about it. Our kids had all gone off to college and we took a quilting class from a woman who quilts exclusively by hand... cuts out the "old" way... piece by piece. She and I loved that process because we both love hand work... but then we stumbled across a wonderful LQS in OKC (we'd only been in the big box fabric stores until then...) where they offered a beginning quilting class. We were hooked... Just yesterday, she and I and another quilting friend spent the day in my dining room all working on something....
But this still doesn't answer the question... I quilt because it is creative... I love creating something... I'm not a designer... and not particularly good at choosing fabrics... but I know how to get help. And so far, even though none of my quilts are perfect (not by a LONG shot!), every one has been loved and cherished... I simply love every step of the process! Even going to garage sales to find 100% cotton shirts and other fabric...

Well, it's been fun to reflect... Even though there are quilt police out there... I think they really are few and far between... It just seems to be that quilters are special people...