DebraK

this is probably the closest to how I feel.

GemState

During my 'working' years I mostly knitted, but was always trying other creative pursuits, oil, painting, pottery, tatting, some crochet (but I like knitting better), did a lot of hardanger, (Norwegian embroidery.) When I retired I began quilting and can't seem to stop. I love putting things together and taking the challenge of seeing what I can do. I think if I had been a man I would have been a carpenter. One thing I haven't done, but would still like to, is welding.

Misty's Mom

This is why I quilt. I grew up with homemade quilts and remember the love that went into them. Maybe my mom quilted to get a little peace from 5 kids. Anyway, it's one of my fondest memories from childhood and I would love to replace all the store bought quilts and blankets with homemade ones.

ube quilting

Quilting sort of found me. From very young my hands were always my best feature. Everyone knew there was talent in them but with no focus or direction or mentor for me I was left to my own devices to discover the world on my own terms.

I have explored many creative outlets from wood working, embroidery, flower arranging, oil painting and on and on. I dabble in everything. Quilting stuck to me after I discovered Alex Anderson on TV. So much color, texture, variety and best of all it was my own. No teacher or relative telling me how to do it except for basis how to, so it became my own discovery and I do it my way and no one tells me I did anything wrong 'or right'. Just mine all mine. Sounds selfish, maybe. But that is the way it is. It gives me great satisfaction to be creative.
peace to all

sweetpea

because if sat down in my chair without something in my hands I will be asleep in no time. HA HA HA. I quilt because I can make some thing to keep my loved ones warm with all the love I put in the quilt.

Stitchnripper

Great question. For years I watched Simply Quilts while I ate breakfast before work. Never in a zillion years did I ever even have a thought of actually doing it, even though I sewed and some of it looked doable. Then I retired and out of the blue one of my sons said "now you can make me a quilt". What? He didn't live at home this wasn't a show I talked about to him or anyone really. I said "I don't know how to quilt" and he said "well, you are retired so you can learn". Put the thought in my head. Found a quilting class and my first quilt was flannel, 3 inch squares. After that made him a microfiber quilt with fleece as batting, on point, king size, using a dinky mechanical Brother machine. It was stitch in the ditch and even that was a challenge with king size. But, I got through it, he loved it, and I kept on with the class. Turns out I really enjoy making them. So I guess the answer is I quilt for my own pleasure, even though I have given some quilts away.

humbird

I started quilting in the early 60s, because my Very Dear Grandmother quilted. I grew up seeing the beautiful quilts she always had in her hand quilting frame. (which my grandfather made for her, and I am fortunate enough to own now) So, I guess quilting just came naturally to me. When I'm working on a quilt, I often think of my grandma, stitching away, and grandpa setting close by, puffing on a pipe. Quilting brings back so many grand memories.

leatheflea

Quilting saved my life, literally. During a very bad time in my life I saw a quilt show on TV that inspired me to make a memory quilt for my children. The memory being me. You get the picture. Long story short, they loved it, encouraged me to make more and I'm still here. It gave me something to do with all the misplaced emotions and energies. I guess you could say I quilted away my worries and stress. Quilting replaced the prescribed medicines to keep me sane. I'm now prescription free and what some would call somewhat sane....LOL. Years later I read John Flynn's bio and he too battled with depression and his quilting and classical music help him through it. For those of you that don't know John look him up. It made me feel better to know that I wasn't the only crazy quilter out there!

Suze9395

My gramma could do anything, including quilting. I grew up with quilts, thanks to her. But, I started quilting because we bought a new pillow top kind size bed back before the store bought comforters caught up with the oversized mattresses. After buying and returning 3 comforters, I thought 'I can fix this!'.

So, my first project was a king sized quilt. I bought three different sets of fabric, started several different patterns--the first 3 were 8 point star out of diamond type, until I finally admitted as a novice an Advanced pattern might not be the best idea! We slept under that quilt for about 15 years. I have been quilting ever since. I made a new one for our bed last year.

I quilt for peace. My peace. I love giving them as gifts, it makes me feel good! But really, it is the stress relief. In fact, I will sometimes tell my family I am in detention, this means they can't bother me. And, every now and then my DH will 'send' me to detention, which means take some time for you.

susie-susie-susie

I have always crafted, but sewing was my first love. 20 years ago the quilting bug bit and I had gotten more and more into it. Now quilting is my only love. I have always said quilting is my therapy, and it is. If I sit down in the evening to watch TV, I fall asleep if my hands aren't busy.
Sue