Dyan

My sister in law went for a visit down south (Alabama), I live in Ohio, she purchased a package of pre-cut 6 inch squares there were 4 sent in a package, she purchased them very inexpensive. Well, one set matched a set of sheets I recently purchased for my daughter. I asked to buy them from her and I would try to make quilt. She gave them to me I purchased the matching solid colors and used the top bed sheet for a backing, I tied the quilt. That was about 20 years ago. I am still quilting, not the best but I manage. I have no friends that quilt and everything I have learned is self taught.

gramajo

It hasn't been just one gesture, but many. My daughter encouraged me to start quilting when I could no longer hold a needle to Xstitch or needlepoint. She has been my teacher for many years now. She answers questions, gives suggestions on "how-to", helps with color selections, encourages me when I get discouraged, says "it looks good, Mom" when it really isn't that great and best of all, she layers all my quilts for me. Thank you, Tam.

Shelbie

I loved fabric, thread and needles from the time I was a tiny girl and used to drive my mother crazy because she was afraid I would hurt myself. Finally when I was nine she said "There's my machine (a Featherweight) and all of the sewing things I have. Go and do what you have to do". I've been sewing non stop ever since. I sewed clothes for years and started quilting to use up the scraps. Over the years, I've had many former stitchers give me fabric, sewing supplies and even machines. I've turned it all into gifts and passed it on.

AnnT

My Momma teaching me how to sew when I was young. I clearly remember the very first dress I ever made all by myself, I think I was around 11 years old. It had a circle skirt that I hemmed by hand...I remember think I would NEVER get finished! Momma has encouraged me through out years with praise, advice and sometimes oodles of fabric. Also the questions and compliments from people outside my family. My children tell their friends I can sew anything. I haven't tried to discourage their opinion of my awesomeness! LOL's

DebraK

yes, this would have to be my answer as well. Aren't we lucky?

Cheshirecatquilter

Not much feels as good as having someone show confidence in your abilities (your mom) except when someone acknowledges your value and talents (your DH). Green with envy!

Cheshirecatquilter

Time -- that is often the greatest gift of all. How often we forget.

Grandma58

The first thing that comes to mind as the best ever gift, "my grandmother" told me I could not make a star quilt because they were too hard, then again maybe my Grandmother herself was the best gift. I was young and stubborn, I think she knew I would just cause she said I couldn't.

Grandma58

I love it!

Anna.425

Well, this sounds bad but the best thing my mom ever did for me was leave me alone. When I was 5 I started taking sewing lessons and sewed for about 9 years with my mom over my shoulder telling me what I was doing wrong, that the color didn't look good on me or that I didn't have the fit right. Sometimes she even took over the project. When I was in junior high school I met the girl who would become my best friend. She sewed and we both began to drag the sewing machine, iron and ironing board into our rooms and then get on the phone with each other to talk sewing and make things. Bless her heart my mom left me alone and I learned so much from the mistakes I made and the way that I fixed them that I turned out to be a pretty darned good seamstress.