cpcarolyn

I quilt because I love the creative outlet it gives me.

weezie

I haven't read this whole thread, yet, so when I try to explain here why I quilt, it's probably nothing different from many of the other responses. I've sewn since I was about 12 years old. As I teenager, I sewed some clothing for myself and later, as a mother of 3, I made clothes for my children. When they were grown, I was back to making clothing for me. Just prior to the time my working career came to an end (mid-90's), I became interested in the many excellent quilting shows on television and was fascinated with the endless possibilities for design, color combinations and just general cuteness of quilts. I'm still just as fascinated and no one is more surprised by this than I am. That's because I hate repetition, so I do not knit, crochet, or cross stitch and the only embroidery I do is a bit of embellishment and doll faces. I never make the same quilt pattern twice. Quilting continues to fascinate me and does much to keep me entertained, mentally active and ... since I have divided sewing areas, one upstairs and one downstairs ... physically active as well. I don't need to make clothing any more, so that's one more reason that I am very grateful for the time, the tools, and the interest I have in quilting.

Jakers1

I had retired and signed up for an upholstery class. I was in the wrong class at first and found that that class was a sewing/quilting class. So I joined it. My daughter had taken up quilting while laid off and gave me some of her tools, when she found a job. My former job was very regimented and a friend of mine at the job has also retired earlier. She turned to art and is very good - I turned to quilting (had sewn a lot when I was younger) and we both found our creative sides. I make quilts I like and make some for gifts. I still attend the quilting class (at the technical college, tuition is only $25 a semester) and found a new community of quilters, and made new friends. I try to make sure I do at least 1 hour of quilting a day, seems to be right, but don't ask me when I washed the kitchen floor last!

linhawk

DH says I like to feed people and keep them warm.

AlaskaAlice

my reasons are all of the above! Sewing for my family (made all the clothes for 5 kids and H) jeans and shirts lasted and fit better and were unique..we quilted when we were kids to keep warm. and for economical reasons..then a few years (20) ago I was stuck at home so I decided to make my grandkids a quilt so..
I love to see what happens when different designs pop out..always try different things ..so I have piles of blocks ..
and patterns that I have used to figure out how to make them in different sizes, colors, and arrangements, techniques, (don't throw anything away! I can make something useful or beautiful out of it
I think I was born in the wrong class (I could use servants that love to clean and pick up after me!!!!!)sigh!!
Life has been and is like a quilt.. all pieced together.. sometimes worn, dirty, and patched.. then a new quilt is started made from scraps left from the old and then the blocks of time get set together and most of the time each one gets more beautiful and interesting. Life is good!

MargeD

I have done many crafts over the years, sewing clothes for myself (and later my children), ceramics, crochet, knitting, fabric painting, etc., but quilting has become my passion. I'd watched several quilt shows on TV, mostly Georgia Bonesteel, but when I ordered her video and her spinning spools patterns - templates and directions were included, to be put in binders for easy access. When my daughter spotted a quilt, can't remember the pattern now, she asked me to make her a quilt. We went to the fabric store and she picked out the fabrics for her pink, purple and teal quilt. This was to be the only quilt that I hand quilted - carpal tunnel prevented me from doing more; then of course my son wanted one, and of course my husband; and the rest, as they say is history. My sister once told me that quilting was the only craft I did that survived over the years and gave me so much pleasure. I love picking out fabrics and patterns, letting them come to life for baby quilts, charity quilts, raffle quilts for my church and my favorite - quilts for family reunions. I've lost track of how many reunion quilts I've made, but they have become a family tradition and everyone is anxious to see what I've made and if they can take it home with them if they win the raffle. I've even impressed one brother who isn't easily impressed, so I guess I'm getting better. I challenge myself by asking for fabrics from my family in a variety of colors - the last being a black and white log cabin quilt which will be raffled off July 4th. I'm doing what a love and passing something of myself off to future generations - how great is that?

Barbwork

Like IrishNY said: "I am a practical person, so quilting allows me a hobby that results in a useful object. I need that or I can't see the point. " This is me exactly.

I was a self employed sales person all my life - high stress, long hours, and a family who never saw me. Now that I am retired in Mexico, I started a charity group for poor infants, providing mothers with layettes. I have been putting receiving blankets in our packages (with sleepers, diapers, knitted hat and booties, etc., 40 layettes per month.)

One day I read something on line about quilting and thought, why not try ONE! Well, many stops and starts later, I've put together beginner quilts to add to the packages. The quality 100% cotton fabric you all discuss is very expensive here (must be importation fees). Available is less quality, blended fabrics that are colorful and okay to work with. In any event, I am really enjoying the processes I am learning - and I have a place for them.

Didn't grow up in a "crafty" environment. If it wasn't purchased, we didn't have it. So, this last year has been dedicated to teaching myself sewing and now quilting, which is quite a challenge; all online. No lessons in person for me -- they're in Spanish and I speak poor Spanglish, which doesn't work for learning.

I am loving the putting the blocks together part... the quilting part, not so much. Probably because I'm not very good at it.

I really enjoy this board, it's my first read in the morning, and the last at night. Thanks guys!

Phillyquilter

Just about 20 yrs ago I made a quilt for our oldest son to take with him to college. Two quilts followed for the next two children leaving for school. The oldest was a bit of a wanderlust so the quilt followed him to Alaska, Austin,Boulder. I thought that thing got lost in one of his many moves. Six years ago he returned to the area and shows up for a Sunday dinner, quilt in arms and asked if I could repair it. So repair it I did from taking the hand quilting stitches out, mending a block or two, new batting and backing, had it long armed quilted and returned to son. He was thrilled and I was honored he valued my work. At that time I vowed to get back into my hobby when I retired. Now a year into it..it is my passion. Love learning and being challenged, enjoy the peaceful time in my studio, the classes,the fabrics,the friendships.My husband cheers me along, never comments on fabric amounts or all the packages arriving in the mail. Loves every piece I make even if the seams don 't match perfectly or on 1/4 in seam allowances. This has been a gift. To have found or returned to something that makes me feel accomplished,productive and just plain old happy.
This is a great board. I enjoy reading your comments and good tips.

justme CA

Years ago I found a quilt top in a brown paper bag in the closet after my mother died. I knew nothing about it and it laid around unfinished until I retired as well. Then I needed new things to do and began writing and learning the computer, and so started writing family memoirs. I did a little genealogy as well and we traveled a lot. Combining all these I wanted to write about my mother who'd said little about her early years. I went to the Ozarks where she was raised, met relatives who filled me in on her early life and told me about my grandmother. It was a revelation for she'd been a quilter, died before I was born and she'd made that top. The next trip back there from California I'd backed the quilt top and left it for hand quilting where it started out.

In order to even know what pattern it was I went to the local Quilt Guild near my CA home, discovered it was a hand pieced feathered star, enjoyed the speakers and was hooked. That was in 1986 and I'm still at it. Now I am just making quilts for others to keep busy. I am a great grandmother, 87, but am still going fairly well. I still write, quilt (never by hand), garden some, volunteer and live alone but travel less.

IBQUILTIN

I quilt as a creative outlet and for the peace it gives me to sit and sew. Some times I find I have been at it for hours and hours and it seems like minutes. I have tried other creative things, but always seem to return to my sewing room. I design some of my quilts and some are traditional; it is so much fun to take a few pieces of fabric, cut them apart and put them back together as a totally different and beautiful piece of fabric. If I couldn't quilt, I would probably be on some kind of medicine to help with depression, but I quilt, I enjoy, and I pass that love on to others