I started sewing garments as a child and then sewed them when I was young so that I could afford to have nice clothes. Now, it's a passion and a creative outlet. I no longer sew basic clothing (too boring) but I love to make interesting jackets and tops. Using piecing techniques and embellishment gives me great satisfaction.

I've loved sewing since I was a child. Creating any kind of crafty thing makes me happy.

I've always done crafty stuff. I enjoy creating things, and the process too. Now quilting is my therapy, and I like seeing my creations enjoyed by others too. :)

Sewing
 

sewing relaxes me and I like the style of clothes you can't buy anymore. I like to make quilts as gifts to my family

I'm the 1st in the family to be a quilter, I have 1 daughter who shares this passion and we retreat once a year together. I grew up crocheting, embroidering and sewing for me and my family, never dreamed about the old ladies that quilt! Art was my passion and then stained glass when I retired. After we moved to Idaho a friend invited me to join her at a guild meeting, I was hooked, had no idea what I was about to get into. My glass sits abandoned in it's room and my stash of material. patterns, and tools grows daily. I love to see my projects grow into finished quilts, when they don't turn into UFO's. The friends I've made in quilting are amazing women, this will be a life long love for for me.

It grounds me to my past heritage. Just like weesie in Steel Magnolias who grew tomatoes. LOL! I like all the home arts, decorating, gardening, preserving foods, crafting and sewing are skills all women should have to be able to "keep" house. The bonus being, it is fun and satisfying. All of it!

Back in 2000 I was going to be laid up from foot surgery for 12 weeks so happened to stop by JoAnne's and saw the Viking embroidery machines. Decided something like that would be nice to spend my idle time with so got the 1+. Within a week I decided I liked it but wanted a larger hoop so traded this machine in for the Designer 1. Then got started with some classes given at JoAnne's and met up with some really nice ladies. We became friends and later they got me started on quilting. Its only escalated since then. I now have another embroidery machine, 2 sergers and a quilt machine. I use the Designer 1 for regular sewing, the Babylock for embroidery, sergers for clothing items and of course the quilt machine for quilting. I have my entire basement for my sewing studio and I'm down here most everyday if the gardens aren't calling my name. Am I saving money, heck no but I'm off the streets and out of trouble..........lol.

I quilt because it's creative, peaceful, challenging, social, useful, provides great gift ideas, and enjoyable. I never would've expected to pick up sewing of any sort as an interest, till I retired. A machine, a quilt class, and a new lifestyle began. Being creative has been a lifelong passion in different forms. I'd rotate my interests every 2-3 years. But, quilting is now in it's 8th year with no sign of letting up. My stash is always a step ahead of me (or a few 'blocks' ahead).

Well, you see, there is this little micro-bug that sneaks up on you and whispers in your ear "Try it, Go on, Try it." Then you make a nice little quilt for your sisters grandbaby, and you think "oh, that was neat, maybe I will try a larger pattern" and the next thing you know you are dealing with scrap boxes, and stash, and cutters, and rulers and a new sewing machine that doesn't work a bit better than the old one, and it just goes on and on, and you have so much fun you can't stop.

Reasons to sew
 

[QUOTE=bearisgray;6776674]At one time, it may have been to save money -

But it sure is not that way now!

I think I started out sewing in an attempt to get things to fit the way I wanted them to. (And that was when I still had a whistle-worthy body!) I didn't succeed very well at that - but I did learn a few things along the way.
Hi bearisgray,I think I started to quilt because I was a frustrated painter,just not good enough,but I loved fabric, the feel and the colours.Didn't put needle to cloth until I was fifty years old,now cant live without it.Letty x