Still Sew N

I am completely obsessed with quilts. A complete goner. I started sewing at age 9 through 4-H. Some clothes fit, most didn't turn out like they did in my head! Sewing for my kids was fun. But quilts always captivated me. I love how they feel, how they always turn out (unlike clothing!). The industry is always offering something new to try, new tool to get or inspiration from others. In the end, I can give away a truly one of a kind gift that is warm, designed especially for the receiver and it just feels good to do so. I love every aspect of the craft - I am a complete goner!

aashley333

My favorite process is designing and drawing. I started appliqueing my children's sweatshirts. Then I made 9 larger squares with beach themes that I planned out. My only regret is using flat bed sheets for the edging strips. My SIL was helping me save money, "They're cheaper than fabric!" Boy, was she right. 20+ years later, it is wearing thin on the edges.
I say that my quilts don't look like your grandmother's quilts. I don't follow patterns. I wanna make "one of a Kind" quilts.
So many ideas...so little time...

Iceblossom

I always did crafts as a kid, was a Camp Fire Girl and all that. I was born in 1960, and there was a big push about quilting because of the bicentennial, along with embracing post-hippy life style in terms of reducing/reusing, handcrafted items versus commercially produced.

Anyway, despite from having no quilters in the family, as a Senior in High School (1977-78) I decided I wanted to make a quilt to take to college and so I did. I lived in a small town and mostly I had access to what was at one time a Carnegie Library with a few quilting books, we did have a fabric/quilt store but I was rather intimidated by the little old quilting ladies. Now that I have become one myself, I find we are a pretty awesome group of people and nothing to fear, for the most part anyway... Even back then my mother declared the fabric store as too expensive, and the first quilt was made for less than $20 from fabrics I got from the Montgomery Wards catalog.

I've never been quite sure if "I quilt and therefore I am" or "I am, therefore I quilt". Whichever way it is, it is my chosen form of art. It along with music is a constant in my life. I quilted when I lived in the dorms. One of my first purchases out of the dorms was a then high end sewing machine (pattern cams, right before computers!). I've quilted as a single mother and now as a beloved wife and woohoo! grandma just happened.

I've tried many things throughout the years and by now have a style and a PoV (point of view). Mostly I work in scraps or collections of fabrics, and I believe that while an art that quilting is a craft -- that is, a useful object is my end result. Nothing against textile artists, but my old tagline was something about "it may be three layers stitched together but if you can't wrap a sick baby in it, it's not a quilt."

Started in the days before rotary cutting, loved the rulers and cutters as soon as they came out. Figured out all by myself on that first project that I could get desk blotter sized graph paper and use that to cut multiple layers at one time with big dull scissors! Still good with graph paper but always learning and trying and now use computers and copiers and other technology. At this point in my life, my vision is failing and I'm learning all over again how to do things because I can't do them the way I used to, but I still have plenty of quilting ahead of me even if my best work is behind me.

cjsews

I have always had a love affair with fabric and sewing. Since I was quite young I would sew clothes, stuffed animals, pillows, curtains - anything I could think of. After a while I had all the clothes I needed. My sister made a quilt and so I made one. Took a few years before I was totally into nothing but quilts. I still get my sewing fix and there is always someone willing to take a quilt. I have a nice stash of them now but there are charities just waiting for me to find them.

catsden

I've always been been a person who sews, but I wanted a quilt and could not afford one. So I made myself a quilt and quilted it myself. Hence I was hooked.

Quilter 53

I started quilting so I could repair a quilt that had been gifted to me and had been well used. I had to take it all apart to replace the batting and cut out some fabric that had deteriorated. Thank goodness it had been tied and not running quilting stitches or I never would have attempted it. Since I didn't have a clue what I was doing, I bought a "how to" book. It had lots of pictures, which is how I learn best, and more than one simple design to try out.
Since I spend a portion of the year sewing costumes for a Renaissance Faire, with a definite deadline, quilting can be done at my own pace on my own terms and just enjoy the process.

Cheshirepat

For me it's a number of things. My grandmother was a huge inspiration for me. She was an *amazing* seamstress and did crochet as well, so I grew up watching her work with fabric and thread, and make magic. I made a tiny hand-sewn "quilt" (really just some tiny squares sewn together, no batting no backing) for my doll at that time, and the fascination with wanting to make a quilt stuck with me. I *love* designing quilts in my head when I see pretty fabric. I try to get them drawn out with EQ8 when I can, then try to make them come to life, to see if I can make a little magic too. I just recently gave my first gift of one of my quilts to someone - something in my head just told me she needed it - and she was absolutely thrilled with it. So, now I have the additional feeling of joy of giving something I've made away. Can't say it gets much better than that.

toverly

I think I first started because I had too many Scrapbooks. I realized a tower of scrapbooks was enough to memorialize my son's childhood. Then I kept quilting because of the friends I made at Guild. I loved the lunches after Guild with the girls. Plus, I was making something that could actually be used, not put on a bookshelf. I love playing with color and the textures of the fabrics.

NZquilter

Yes! I totally agree!!

Butterfli19

Wow, reading all your replies has shown me that you all love to give. You may have started out with things for yourself, but shifted to your homes, children, families, and now you gift away. I love this. I feel selfish when I sew anything for myself, most of my sewing has also been for others. I've thought of attempting garment fitting again but omg, I really don't want that stress at this stage of my life!

Maybe I'll give quilts another chance. Your answers were so warm and comfortable, just like quilts.