Stitch124

I plan to retire next March.

I've been buying fabric in anticipation of not having the funds available when I retire, so now there's a cabinet of crammed full of fabric nicely packaged into bundles with the pattern attached to the fabric.

Day one I plan to start my 'retirement quilt'. I want to make quilts for fun and sell the ones I don't want to keep.

I'm only 64 and healthy as a horse and so anxious to begin my retirement I can just taste it!

My biggest fear is that there won't be enough time in retirement to make all of these kits I've collected!!! All I want to do is travel to different shops and buy more fabric!!!!

Who's with me!?

Watson

I'm with you, but I've got 5 years yet!

My goal between now and then is to buy and figure out how to use a long arm.

Watson

Stitch124

I went on Craigslist and found a nice Grace Queen 2 frame. I bought a Bailey's Pro 15 so I have a LA set up for about $2500. Everything is manual, just have to take a break every hour so my feet and back don't give out.
Practicing LA free motion quilting is fun and frustrating because I want everything to look perfect....but I guess I need to give up that goal!

cashs_mom

I'm not sure when I will really be retired. I'll be 65 in Oct, but we run our own business and with my husband 6 years younger and planning to work until he's 70, I'll still be working at least part time. I'm hoping that I can work 3 days a week instead of 5 now. I actually think that would be good. I'm a little apprehensive about retiring completely and not being out there. My retired neighbors aren't really a good example for me. lol

cjsews

I have the same plans for January 2019. The countdown has started. 19 months to go. Yay us !

loisf

I worked full time until I was 70, spending 42 years with the same company. I love being retired. Quilting is one of my favorite pastimes. I seem to be busier than ever. I thought I might miss working, but I don't - not even a little. All I miss are my coworkers, but I have lunch with them every couple of months. Enjoy yourself!

popover

I've been retired for 5 years and I still haven't quite caught up. There's always another.....

lots2do

That's great! I've been retired for two years this month. The first year was an adjustment but this past year was just great.

KSellers

Stitch124 -- I only have one suggestion...Quit buying fabric now and start to set aside the money you would spend so that you have it when you retire. I bought a lot of fabric when I 1st started quilting, and as I have progressed I have wanted to try new things. You will find the fabric you have bought might not be what you want when you finally retire. But I would be aggressive about saving that money only for quilting. I know from experience that when you see something on sale or cute it's hard to pass it by, but you could be a lot happier in the long run. I hope you have a great time in retirement.

suern3

I took early retirement about 10 years ago and then I took a quilting class! I find so many ideas for quilts and great fabrics that I really love and I do sometimes think I can't possibly live long enough to make them all! But I will do my best. Obviously, I didn't buy fabric ahead of time because I didn't have any idea I would need it. I'm glad I didn't though because my tastes change plus styles change and who knows who I might need to make a quilt for. Anyway, I like the idea of having a special fabric savings account for future use so that you can get the latest trends. I know you will enjoy your retirement. And as my DH and I often say, we are so busy now, we don't know how we had time to work!