I'm mostly self taught...loner. But my husband encouraged me to join the Thimbleberries club. He thought that I needed someone besides him to talk quilting to.

I'd say that I learned from a book and tv. I work mostly alone, but I have started meeting with some teachers at the school my daughter goes to and we work on projects that we need to finish ufo's.

Susan - I'm guessing you are asking about the quilt shops? There is one in Kingston, in Carriage Towne Plaza called "Stitched in Stone." Another in Barrington called "My Fabric Garden" and down the street from there in Northwood is "Checkerberries." Also in Hooksett down the street from KMart heading towards 101 is "The Chestnut Quilter."

It's true!

Hi Eileen from North of Atlanta. I'm in Douglas County, the Alabama side of Atlanta ... too far away, dang it! We at least have the "too stubborn to give up" trait in common. Weezie

My fabric garden the lady that owns it was my brothers 8 grade teacher. There is another one in Barrington I think it's call the little lamb shop.

I started out signing up for classes, but found that with the 2 or more day ones, i would go once and never go back...the ones that you did in one day was better but not everyone sews at the same pace and some people just....don't listen, interupt and hold up the class...i decided that although it's nice to get together with other quilters and 'share' and always great to learn a new technique i am much happier buying a pattern or book; or going to someone who knows for individual help. the expense always is a consideration too...the shop always wants you to purchase everything from them along with the price of the class and that one tote bag or baby quilt can wind up costing $100 you were not prepared for.
so little 'sewing-quilting groups' yes, yes, yes...paying for classes...naaa

My aunt (only a year older than me) is in Montana and I am in Honolulu. She started quilting 3 years ago and I started a year later. She raved about all the classes she was taking and all the fabric stores in her area. I had always wanted to learn, but she gave me the push.

However, beginner classes are nonexistent here. I did take several that were project-oriented and were great fun. The instructor was surprised that half of us were total beginners and was extremely helpful and patient with our questions. There are 4-5 stores that carry a limited amount of traditional quilting fabric instead of the tropical stuff and 3 of them offer classes. Two of them hold classes only during the week.

With that, I have learned more on my own with books, videos, and the internet and my aunt, bless her! We do a lot of trading patterns and comparing notes mixed in with lots of laughter. This Quilting Forum has been a fountain of information and support, so bless you, too! Am I a lone quilter? Yes, but not really.

I am a very friendly and social person, but when it comes to sewing, I'm a loner. I took a beginners class, but after just two lessons found it too confining and distracting. I wasn't learning anything new that I hadn't learned from my books and the internet. I also hated lugging my machine and related tools around. I just joined a guild and love the socializing part. I especially enjoy the Show and Tell part. We have a meeting once a month and a workshop once a month. I tried the workshop, but just couldn't get into sewing in an unfamilar environment. I think taking classes is just something I'm going to have to ease into.

I've been taking classes to get to get the in's and out's of different quilting blocks and finishings. Everyone has their own idiosyncrasies and it's good to have choices. I'm a visual person, so once it's demonstrated, I'm on my way.