Drew

My sewing experience started in HS Home Ec. My grandmother taught me to hand embroider when I was six. I decided to make a quilt for my first born. Went to JoAnn's to get fabric and found an ad for Quilting classes at a nun's house in the area. Needless to say, that was all it took! She had very solid rules about quilting and (still) have a hard time bending them!! (LOL)

Lv2sew2011

Not working because of a job injury, and was bored to death, trying to find something I like doing and I remember I had a sewing machine! LOL

madamekelly

A 95 year old neighbor, who heard that I had had a stroke. She thought it would help with my co-ordination. She was a very patient person. My first project was a GFG with 1 1/2" hexagons. It was just big enough to cover the top and a little of the sides of a small round table. All hand sewn.

gramma mo

I've been sewing since I was about 9. My mom taught me on a heavy WHITE machine, that I got to take with me when I got married at 18. I made my clothes, my kids' clothes, stuffed animals, and all the crafty stuff that caught my eye. I spent one stage making porcelain dolls and my favorite part was the tiny intricate dresses. I rarely sewed during about the last 10 years when I was working, but wafter I retired I got involved in a prayer quilt ministry group at the church I started attending - mostly to make friends there. We make lap sized quilts with simple patterns. 1/4" seams and rotary cutters were new to me, but there are several ladies in our group who are so accomplished that it was like taking a class every week! After 3 years, I'm happy to say that I feel comfortable helping the newbies who are transitioning from regular sewing to quilting. I have so much to learn, still, and have a couple of patterns in the works for my grandkids. I just discovered this board recently and I LOVE the sense of community with other quilt enthusiasts!

decky

I did alot of sewing when my kids were little and would wear home made clothes. Went back to work for many years and at the age of 55 retired (company offered a great package that I couldn't refuse). Sat around for a few months and got very bored as all my friends were still working. Decided to take a class on quilting and have been at it ever since, that was 14 years ago. Gee I just told my age!!

mountain deb

Heridity...

caliquocat

I've sewn my whole life so the growing popularity of quilting just seemed the next step. I admired the hand quilting of a friend & got inspired to give it a try. Also, my daughter was getting into quilting. I've always LOVED fabric!

MaggieMeg

My DD was hoping that her grandmother would make her a baby quilt while she was able. My DD is not pregnant, and must wait three more years till her DH is out of law school. But she so wanted her future child to have a quilt made by her DGM. She fondly remembers, and still has the quilt that her DGM made her when she was little. She was very attached to that quilt. Mom had come to live with my husband and me by that time, and I tried to see if there was anything she could teach me. But as fate would have it, before Mom could make her quilt or teach me anything on quilting, alzheimers took that knowledge from her. She is 89 years old. So, I decided that I would make DD a baby quilt. I knew absolutely nothing about quilting. Zilch. Nadda. What was a quilt sandwich? Binding? So I went to the internet trying to learn what I could on the subject. I found this quilting board. And you people became my angels unaware. I read everything you guys wrote about techniques, etc. And then I just jumped in and made a quilt. I fell in love with that little quilt. All of the tears and sadness that I had poured out and became love put in to that little quilt. Because I was making it in my Mom's stead. Doing what she would have done had she been able. And making it for a child that exists in hopes and dreams for the future for my DD. It was also a coping measure and an escape to make that little quilt. It was my first encounter with dealing with that horrible disease of alzheimers that took my DM by storm. Tears stream down my face as I write this.
You all don't know, that in doing what comes naturally for you, and sharing it on this board, that you were my angels guiding me and helping me unaware. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart for being here, and being you.
I felt a part of that little quilt and of course I developed a passion for quilting. But I was not a seamstress ever. My DM was always so good at sewing that if I needed anything, she was always too happy to make it for me. So of course I have so very much to learn still.
My husband looked at the little quilt and declared that he wanted me to make him a quilt to use while watching tv or napping on the couch. That was a huge compliment. I'd have rather waited till I was more experienced and could make him one that was excellent. Surely that little quilt I had made turned out fairly well not due to any talent, but was guided by angels, and I'd never be able to do even that well again. But I jumped in and made one for him. It took me a long time to make. He picked the colors. Manly colors. It was a 'fun and done' quilt as you go method. I gave it to him Friday for our anniversary. I guess he really likes it. He's used it all weekend! It has flaws. But I learned a lot from it.
I have plans...oh I have many plans for future quilts! Stash building is already in progress. My hobby room that used to be for computer and scrapbooking is being overtaken with sewing items. Do you guys think I have the addiction ????

incoming2me

I contracted the quilting bug from my wonderful MIL about 6 years ago. :)

JanetM

I started watching "Quilt In a Day" on the PBS channel, and decided to go to a LQS in Denver on a whim. There I saw all the beautiful fabrics. So much nicer than all the calicos in the '70's.

I then found a book by Eleanor Burns and thought to myself, "I think I can do this". I really examined the book, and realized that I had a lot to learn (rotary cutting???? cutting mats???? rulers????), but she does such a great job of taking a project and breaking it down piece by piece so that a novice understands and can be successful.

I recently attended a 3 day retreat with Eleanor Burns and told her my story. She really appreciated hearing it and asked if I am now hooked? We both laughed, of course I am!

I had done garment sewing years earlier, but Eleanor Burns got me quilting.