I absolutely love this place. It's my go to for any question or information I may need. I am retired, do not belong to a guild, am home bound because of care giving. So this place is my therapy, my social network, my school, my refuge, my cup of coffee.

I have made a few friends via the board (heheh you know who you are !LOL) and to learn a new trick or two for quilting.

Wow, that description could describe me; and I think this lady is very misguided. Anyone who thinks that they are beyond any improvement and cannot learn any more from others, is very sad. I am in my 70's and have been quilting since 1988 and I learn something new on here every day..
Judy

I am new to piecing- just retired and needed a hobby. In addition to all of the wonderful resources and assistance, it is very reaffirming and inspiring to visit here. For example, who knew there were other people out there who have a love affair with fabric? I thought I was wierd. I love going to quilt stores now and can hardly restrain myself when I see a fabric I like. I built a stash in no time flat and really love just looking at it. Finding others who feel the same was so reaffirming. I love all of the links that are provided and am amazed at how many people respond to questions. You know the latest techniques and gadgets. I like those gadgets too. And where would we beginners be without the generous advice from experienced quilters. I would never have thought about trying to actually quilt on a domestic sewing machine, but I am inspired to think I might be able to do that one day. It is so empowering.

I come here mostly to see the pictures of what others have done and to be inspired. I always end up learning something new. It's also a way to help beginners with their questions. Many advantages over playing games! Although I have some games I like to play, too.

I come because I like it and the people on it, who lift you up when your down and in a funk and with all the help they are ready to share. It is just a nice place to visit.

I visit here every morning it's like having morning coffee with a group of friends ,there always seems to be some new info to store up for later recall. thanks QB and freinds

I like coming to the Quilting Board to look at all the beautiful quilts posted, the tutorials, ideas for projects, I enjoy all the comments made, etc...Everyone on here seems to have positive things to say and you can't say that for every group-It's just a fun positive place to spend time.

Me too. I have gotten a bunch of people to check it out, and most have joined in. I can't imagine anyone thinking they don't need to learn more about quilting. Im not quite 70, but close, and I still have soooooooooooooo much to learn. If I ever get half of the quilts done with new techniques I will have to live to be over 100 and still quilting, but I'm gonna give it a good try

I do read the board almost every day. Besides the pictures of the quilts. I am really thankful to people that give me a link to a website. I would never have found some of the URL's I have check out. I also liked following along on the sew alongs on Sundays. Although I did not sew along, it was fun reading the enthusiasm of the quilters.

I come to improve my quilting skills, learn different tricks and tips, to see other people's quilts and to be inspired. There are amazing things here.

I love this Quiling Broard, I have learned a lot of things here and I look forward to checking it every day. Thanks to all of you ............Mary C

Haven't read all the posts but I come here for FUN, FUN, FUN. When I can't get to the QB I almost go into withdrawal.

I consider the QB one of the best information sights about Quilting and lots of other things. I met a lady from Oregon
that wanted a teddy bear pattern. We have been corriponding for over 1 year now and would miss her if I didn't get
a note every day from her. QB , what a great source of all kinds of subjects. and great sewing and quilting know how.
I have sewn all my life but quilted for about 10 years. Enjoy every moment I can steal to do it.
Thank you all for all the great service you share with all the rest of us.

Flo in NNY

I enjoy this site for many of the reasons mentioned by others. There is a tremendous wealth of knowledge on this site and quilters, by nature, are very generous people; of their time, talent and experience. The pictures of quilts are such an inspiration. I wil save a picture to a file on my computer. Printing it out is a great idea!

I also really enjoy participating in the various swaps, secret pals, row robins, block exchanges, etc. It really makes me focus on improving my skills. I've been quilting for nearly 30 years and will always have something to learn.

Since I'm involved in a local quilt guild, I use some of the ideas I get from this site with my guild.

Keep up the wonderful work everyone!

Jane

I learn, I share, I grow

I come because I'm a newbie, and it's a great place to learn tips, tricks, product reviews, and tutorials. I've met new friends (local to me as well as long distance) and received encouragement when I needed it. So, in case I haven't said it in another forum, thanks to all of the board members for letting me "play".

When I moved to SC over 2 years ago, I left behind my quilting group--my sisters in quilting. I enjoyed so much the sisterhood I felt with those women. I didn't know anyone here and was so lonely and depressed. When I found this board it was a great substitute for that group of friends/women. I read what others are going through and will share if I have something to contribute. I don't want to join a guild, but would love to be a part of a women's group again and this board has been good for me. Donna

I actually swore off for almost 60 days as I felt I was spending too much time on the computer and the net in general and had joined a number of yahoo groups to the point where my email box had way too many emails each day. I missed the tips and exchange of ideas so much that I now am back, and have limited other things to reduce time on the computer and free up more sewing time.Pat

This is a good place to learn new tips and tricks and get ideas for more quilts. Questions can be answered in a matter of minutes. Great place to klearn!

I, along with many others, come to learn. This Board is obviously not just for beginners as I have seen some of the greatest quilts and quilting ever. Thank you to all who share their art and knowledge. Nowhere else have I seen a group of people jump in with assistance when a questions is asked....wonderful sharing.

I come to the board because everyone is so knowledgeable and willing to share with others. I have followed many different threads. I look at the different links that really show me how things are done. Thanks for sharing.

I am fairly new to the board, and quilting. I come here every day to learn, laugh and be encouraged. Since coming here I have made blocks that I never would have attempted before. I have attempted fmq on my dsm. I think all you board members are awesome.

I, too have been quilting since the 1970s. But I have learned more here than you can imagine. You can teach an old dog new tricks and I learned the tricks here! I love it!

I've been very active in the quilting world for 22 years now, have taken well over a hundred classes from "big name" teachers, teach quilting locally, and have made over 400 quilts (I give most to homeless families). But I STILL learn something here everyday that I didn't know before. I appreciate the people who post and the links and information given. I come every day to see what's new and who has something to say. And sometimes I can contribute some of that experience and education I've gained. I appreciate this board and the moderators do a great job. Thank you all.

I love the QB, I agree with what everyone has said, I enjoy it mostly because I can read and relax and learn something alone the way-wish I could be more often-but then I'd never get anything done and I do work outside my home.

I come to this board to learn. There is a wealth of knowledge among you, and it
has already helped me immensely. Thanks for sharing your info. It encourages me
to be more - to take on challenges that I might not have taken on otherwise. :)

I agree with everything that many others have said. However, I would like to add that this board is a POSITIVE site to be a part of. As I have read over a year or two..I don't believe that I have ever heard a negative thing on here.
And if someone is in trouble,,,there are so many others to help.

I come because I don't know anyone else who quilts...so I have to have someone to pat me on the back or smack my hands when I need it...great place to come and find out what everyone else around the world is doing quilt wise and in their normal every day lives...

I love this board also. I found this board a couple years ago and have learned so much. I was hooked when I discovered other fabricholics like myself on here. This board has been priceless for me. I have learned more in a few years on this board then some people learn in a lifetime. Let's hope this board is around for many many more years.

I am living with my husband's brother & his wife. (Waiting for a house to be built). I have very few tools, and my machine here. I read this board when I can't sew, or I have gotten so frustrated with my lack of...........
you all inspire me and keep me quilting in my heat & heart. Thank you!

You might want to suggest to her that we beginners could use some advice from her simply because she has so many years of experience.

I come to the board for many reasons - friendship, learning, laughing, showing off my work.

I totally agree. A board like this is for beginners to experienced and we can learn from one another no matter what level we are at.

One does not know it all no matter how many decades one has been quilting. There is alot to quilting from traditional, contemporary, MODERN, free form and much more. Lets not forget hand piecing and quilting as well as maching cutting fabric and machine sewing.

I am on here for the knowledge I gain from beginners to experienced and every one in between.

Someone like you mention who says its for beginners usually think they know it all and you can't teach them anything and also are not willing to have an open mind to doing things differently than what they learned. Which brings me to something that was said this evening at a local group. There is a lady who does a show of her quilts every year. She literally has a hundred or so quilts and all hand pieced and hand quilting. She refuses to accept that unless it is done by hand piecing and hand quilted it is not a quilt. She refuses to even have a discussion about quilting that brings up machine sewing and quilting.

Than you have those that are die hard traditional quilters who feel the same way as she does regarding the form of quilting. If it is not traditional it is not quilting.

Than you have contemporary quilters who are more open to trying new ways of quilting.

Than you also have MODERN quilters who are the rebels of the group who refuse to be cookie cutters and use patterns of any sort and who do there own thing in free form designs. I fall into this category.

Personally I feel there is room for everyone in this art form and we should be respectful of each others way of doing things when it comes to this art form.

We all learn from each other on boards like this no matter if what we read is from a beginner novice or an experienced person. IMHO knowledge of any type is power and helps us to do things better.

I totally agree, in this past year of have joined a quilt class of mostly retired age ladies (I am the youngest) but because of that I sometimes feel like they are treating me as an outsider and they can be a bit snarky. The teacher is awesome though and she is accepting of me. but the rest? I hope that when I get of "that age" I will be more accepting of new ways,and young people. I am a longarm quilter, but also enjoy hand work ( I have two hand quilting projects in the process right now.) I don't know it just seems they are a bit "clique". Off my soapbox

Like jcrow I have learned more from this board than from anywhere else. I am amazed at the wealth of knowledge of the members/participants and encouragement shared with everyone. I have learned how to improve quilting, love the tutorials, used tips and suggestions, bought helpful tools but most of all appreciate "I am not alone" in trying new things and succeeding. Thanks to everyone for being a part of this great group. Encouragement is a wonderful tool -- in fact it is the best tool to motivate us in our quests. God bless you all!

All of the above. Plus I have no friends or family who sews or quilts. I feel like when I come here to listen and discuss techniques and projects, I'm among the smarted quilters in the world. You ladies are my friends.

Why do I love this board. . . let me count the ways. . . Sorry I just couldn't resist. There are so many ideas, new techniques, tips,patterns, tutorials, etc, etc. then there are the wonderful quilts to see, stay current, find interesting sites, tools and the list goes on and on. It's great to help other with something I've struggled with and maybe find a better solution. It's fun to share what you've done and read the comments. There are so many reasons and that is why I wouldn't miss reading this every day.

I enjoy seeing what others are doing. And I find I can always learn something new.

Hello all you fellow quilters, ---words just do not fill all the love, support, fun learning, visiting, eating, you name it as this board does for all of us. I thank each and everybody for "learning to live" and "living to learn" as we do on this board! This is my favorite spot of the day (besides my sewing machine itself) and where I cannot miss a comment, helpful hint, ways to do things and teaching all the many ways each of you so gracefully share with all of us! Thank you and I will keep reading and learning (great way of life too). Marilyn

I get a lot out of this board - more than I can list - but the main thing is that it helps me to stay focused on this hobby rather than drifting off after the next "sparkly" as I have tended to do over the years. Not a day goes by when I don't see or read something inspiring here that makes me want to stick to quilting.

Probably your friend didn't mean that to be as insulting as it seems, but she didn't see the value in it for herself because she just has not experienced anything like it. Even a big, friendly, talented quilt guild can't come close to the kind of interactions we have here. It's an excellent example of a global village, where we are sharing our brains and our hearts and we have others to turn to with our questions, problems, joys and sorrows, triumphs and goofs 24 hours a day, every day!