Jingle

I started quilting in 1965, hand quilted and was interested and always did some sort of craft. Raising 3 kids, making clothing, gardening, canning, housework, etc., etc. I only had so much time. I did make my kids quilts and Grandkids quilts and handquilting, took so much time with everything else that had to be done. When I got a sewing machine that I could quilt on and a whole lot of knowledge I really started making quilts. How to machine quilt was not very advanced then. I got a subscription to Quilter's Newsletter in (I think) Golden. Colorado and slowly started to learn, bought some books, and a bit more time, although by then I had the kids raised and working outside the home full time and helping to raise a Granddaughter. I finally started getting into it more. For the last ten years I have made many, many quilts and after a year of retirement, I'm working full time and still making quilts.

GailG

I understand. I had to do the same things with my cakes. I can no longer do the large wedding cakes. But as long as I can do the smaller ones, I can still be creative. The satisfaction is the same.

patski

I think it not only gives us an outlet for our creative side but it helps us be part of a community with like minding women (mostly) also it gives us a way to help others when we donate a quilt. I make most of my quilts for wounded warriors or other charities. Love this board and all the wonderful members that help out and show their talents

diamondee

I think because we now have rotary cutter, rulers and tools of all kinds to make things easier, Great fabrics to choose from to get those creative juices flowing, great people on the QUILTING BOARD who like to share what they have done and techniques as well as pics of the quilts to inspire everyone. Tutorials help soooooo much. Who doesn't love to snuggle up with a quilt made with love.

Nancygeddes

Like many of you I was introduced to a group of quilters, their constant encouragement and advise got me hooked and I have been quilting with them for 5 years. Our fellowship time with each other has been a blessing to each of us. We quilt 1 day a week at a local church that only 2 of the six of us are members but we surely feel like a close knit family.
Since joining them, I have made 5 quilted pillows, 4 quilted totes, three crib quilts and 2 queen size quilts, each one hand quilted. I am still a novice, that does not matter to me because of the joy I have when I finish a project.
happy quilting dear friends!

fireworkslover

I too, think the rotary cutter has a lot to do with it. I know I would not have taken up this hobby if I had to use only a scissors for cutting. Also so many Designers ( Inventors) come up with special rulers or shaped pieces of acrylic to ease the cutting of pieces for blocks. Other Designers seem to be able to come up with easier methods to piece traditional blocks or change blocks into brand new ones. There's so much information out there: books, online videos and classes, classes at quilt shops, this Board, sharing in guilds, etc. Also there are so many choices for fabrics now. I've never cared for calico prints. My favorite now and have been for a long time are Batiks and hand dyed. Art Quilting has pushed quilting in another direction that wasn't really accepted a generation ago.

NancyNC

I think its kind of like baking - we used to bake out of necessity. Now we bake things for the enjoyment of it - it's relaxing - its become a hobby. Same with quilting. It used to be something we had to do (even if we made it enjoyable by quilting with friends, ie, quilting bees) because we needed blankets. Int he 1800's every respectable bride needed something like 7 quilts in her dowry. Now, we do it for relaxation, to enjoy the creative process. And it has become more enjoyable to do with all the modern tools (rotary cutters, fancy rulers) and available fabrics (instead of always recycling worn out clothes). That's what I think.

GrannieAnnie

Quilting can be a very unique and personal way of expressing your creativity---------without a lot of expense.
And generally speaking----------the end results are appreciated by friends, family and those in need.

That is, not a lot of expense until you get hooked!

Landers

For me, quilting takes me to a world of creativity, beautiful colors. And when i go to a new quilt store, I am like a little child going to Disneyland for the first time!

QultingaddictUK

I live on the Isle of Anglesey, yes where Kate and William live, in North Wales UK and I give FOC Patchwork lessons in one of the local Community halls, and I am only one of about 12 - 20 Groups/Lessons ongoing here on the Island, and I know the reason why my little group is so popular. The major reason is the RECESSION, I am teaching my ladies how to use the hidden away forgotten Sewing machines which is saving them so much money.

As it tell them the one thing you need to know with quilting is how to sew a straight line and seam, which is all that curtains and dressmaking is! One of my ladies hadn't touched a sewing machine before last September and now is setting up a little local home business and her partner is backing her 100% in fact all the husbands are backing the ladies as they see the benefits of it. The pleasure of quilting gives their creative talents an outlet and of course answers all of their Christmas/Birthday etc. presents. I have taught them how to shop wisely and how to make a lot of use of local Charity shops and they are all becoming firm quilting addicts

Our local recycling outlets are doing a great trade in older sewing machines and I am kept busy in checking them over and giving them a new future, yes quilting is getting a huge resurgence here in the UK and I am proiud to be a little part of it.