Could sew & embroider by the time I was 12 and grew up watching my DM and DGM Quilt. DGM hand pieced & Hand quilted. DM hand quilts & does embroidery; she doesn't piece.

7 or 8 yrs ago my 2n'd DS went to WalMart with DH and I. I stoped to drool over the material. DS was about 9 or 10 at the time. He found some solar system "cheater panel" & was so excited. DH asked if I could make a lap quilt out of it.

"Of course I can" Where did that come from?

The next thing I knew I had a sandwich and was hand quilting one stitch at a time.

Ive been Hand quilting ever since.

I slept under antique quilts when I was a kid... love Little House on the Prairie, The Waltons, Anne of Green Gables, etc. - love to sew and create...

My DGM gave me a quilt top when I was 20 something. She said, "I don't want to quilt, but my Mum put this together and maybe someday you would want to quilt it." I put it in a large Macy's bag and dragged it from house to house. Eight years ago, saw a sign on church "Tuesday morning ladies quilt mtg..all welcome" Dropped by and they showed me how to rock a needle, around a big frame. They told me to buy a sheet for the back and I did. It took me almost two years to get it done, but I thought if she could make all those tiny stitches to piece it, I could hand quilt it!! Lone quilted for the next six years and made 40 quilts.
Jeannie in GA

I have sewn since about 5 years old when my Mom let me make doll clothes with her scraps. Made garments, home dec projects all my life. Started quilting 5 years ago while caring for my Mom who had alzheimers. She slept so much of the time but could not be left alone and I really, really, needed something to do besides TV and reading. Haven't stopped quilting since. Love it. Don't need any other hobbies.

I wanted to make one with the scraps from the nursery set I was sewing for my daughter. It's a mishmash of muslin, poly-blend sheets, home decor canvas and a flannel canvas, if you can believe that! Still my favorite.

My Ex Mil was a quilter, and I loved her quilts, so she taught me. I always loved crafting though, almost any type!

I had no intest in quilting, just sewing. I would hand sew Barbie clothes... then I got pregnant and was on bed rest. I had NOTHING to do. So my grandmother (who knew I could sew well) sent me a quilt for the baby. I layed in bed and quilted my first quilt for my son. Have loved it ever since.

Quilting is in the DNA. Either you love it or you don't. My Great grandmother quilted, so did two out of her four daughters. One of my grandmothers made my husband and I one for a wedding present 36 years ago. Always wanted to quilt but just didn't take the time. Made my first quilt 26 years ago and been going strong ever since. Have always loved the old patterns and fabrics. I now make each and everyone of my grand children a quilt before they are born. I have even gotten my mother and her sister into quilting. They are loving it. Hopefully one of my own daughters will take up the bug. Got my grand daughter a sewing machine for Christmas and can't wait to make a quilt with her.

QuiltingAddict, love your Great Grandmothers square in a square quilt, it is superb!!

I can't remember the first quilt I saw, most likely in a book but I have always loved them and knew one day when I got 'old' I wanted to learn how to do it, when I had more time on my hands.
Gal

I'm a bit like Gal...collected fabric and quilting items for years before getting started. There was always something pulling me in the direction of quilting. I have like many, been through some tough times, can't stand to be cold, travelled a lot....quilts equated to love and comfort for me, so I suspect that is what drew me to the craft. Quilts are not just beautiful, but practical...another bonus for someone like me.