I think it's because it's such a rewarding hobby. The quilt you make is uniquely you. Very few of us ever duplicated a quilt exactly the way the pattern shows. Our fabrics are different, we make a different size or the quilting is different. I have also found quilters - for the most part- to be nice people and fun to be around.

For me, it has been a reach back to the past and my silly belief that life was simpler then. It really was not, but the women seemed calmer when they quilted and I wanted to feel tied to our creative history. They were "green" and their quilts were utility, but they seemed beautiful to me. Of course we can buy quilts cheaper, but quilting, piecing and making a stash is truly relaxing, though I need to stop buying!

For me it's being able to make an entire quilt by machine. I would never have made one if I had to do any hand sewing. I don't mind hand sewing, but much prefer to use my machine whenver I can.

For me .... it's all the gorgeous fabrics out there .... and the easy use of the rotary cutters/mats/rulers, etc.

I quilted about 30 yrs. ago. We had a small group meet once a week (everything done by hand ~ piecing, appliqué, quilting). And it was so *not fun* to: make your template, trace around it and then cut it out (times by many, many times). So I quit and found other hobbies: *counted cross stitch *needlepoint *knitting.

And then while browsing Etsy.com for a quilt for my soon to be born first granddaughter, I stumbled upon Rag Quilts. And thought to myself, gee, I *could* make one of those .... well that was last April. And I made the baby quilt, made a queen size rag quilt for our BR, upgraded to a Janome 6600 and a 1961 Featherweight for classes.

And now I am soooo loving *all things quilt* ... especially the gorgeous fabrics out there .... oh, and all the pre-cuts too!!

jody

[QUOTE=Briarberry;5379228] Sure a lot of young people quilt too but when I go to quilt shows most of the folks there are older and they are the ones with the time and money.

This is off the subject, but when my DD and I were in Shipshewana, she made the comment that she was one of the youngest there. She's 48. lol

Well I'm still a long ways off from retirement, but for me it's a lovely way to try to recapture what I think is a very valuable skill that is getting lost in my family. Both of my grandmothers were dedicated sewers; both made quilts for every one of their children & grandchildren. NONE of my aunts or uncles or either of my parents kept that skill alive. Zero. I don't think any of my cousins sew either, and my sister certainly doesn't. I really really wish my grandmothers were still alive so I could learn directly from them now, but I spent lots of time watching with curious eyes and "helping" out when I was a kid so I feel I got a benefit from their experience in an oblique sort of way. And of course I've studied quilts from each of them that I own in great detail.

I'm a creative/crafty person so I'm always trying new things, and I often try to "recapture" skills that I know my grandmothers had & that my parents sort of let go of. Embroidery is another skill I made sure to learn. Cooking, of all things (I come from a family where everything came from a can and/or out of the microwave). Soapmaking. Basic things like that, that were necessary skills in my Grandmothers' days, but are considered luxuries now. Store-bought quilts/food/soap just aren't as good as the best I can make on my own. Cheaper, in most cases, but not BETTER. ;-)

MOST of the quilters I've met are at around retirement age, but there are a lot of us "younger" crowd (I'm in my 30's) too and that makes me happy. Quilting is going to be around for a very loonnnng time.

I agree that it is a big bump of baby boomers, I also think it is part economy, back to your roots, the recycle and use it up......Now that I am retired, I have my simple summer garden going, been learning to can all over again, dehydrate my herbs, sit and read in my garden, work on my cross stitch samplers and make quilts for other people (Quilts of Valor, Linus Project, Homeless shelters and Local military Hospital) what in the world could be more satisfying than that !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! well perhaps a good glass of wine ;)

I use to draw. I drew for my high school paper and then took up the arts in college. After college I kept up with different aspects of the arts constantly. Finally, I tired of it after so many years. My sister introduced me to quilting. I took to it right away, just like the arts. It was the same sort of outlet. I got the same satisfaction out of quilting as I did from doing artistry. I don't do artsy quilts yet (y.our e.ligible t.oo) but maybe in the future. I just love creating something with my hands.

I think that all of us, including men are born with a talent. A lot of people will say "oh, I could never do that", like painting or other arts, but when we find quilting. Ahh, we can do it. And we do, and it grows into a full blown work of art. My husband , when I put a quilt on the longarm with a pantograph, said I can't do that, but he did. And pretty good. If I ever learn how to put pictures on here I will.

So true, I see all these beautiful quilts and have the money, but sadly do not have the time to spend on quilts so I end up doing like one or 2 a year because of time constraints. I still love it though