Well, I quilt because I need a creative outlet. Yes, I have my baking and cake decorating, which is fun, but how many days can you spend with shortening up to your armpits and still really love it???

I also do a little painting (I'm really not good), crocheting, knitting, used to sew my kids' clothes, and on and on and on .... but the tactile thing about quilting is that when I am done, I have something to show for it. I really enjoy the entire process from getting the idea (lately I've been getting a lot of them in church and so I sketch while our minister is talking!), to sketching it out, to drawing a rough draft on graph paper, coloring (sometimes) with colored pencils, shopping for fabrics, washing, pressing and folding the fabrics, to cutting, sewing, pressing, layering, basting, hand quilting and binding the top. I even love to create my own labels for the backs of my pieces.

I can see growth in my creative eye as the years go on. I have developed a much more accurate sensibility for color and shading. I love art quilts and have been dipping into that area a bit lately, but am really traditional in that I truly appreciate the geometric designs of the quilts from 100 years ago. And while I like the traditional stuff, I also appreciate the more contemporary work of many quilters out there, even the ones I just don't understand.

I also have evidence that quilting has lowered my blood pressure about 30 points, which is always a good thing. And although I am really competitive, I haven't entered any contests yet, but that will come.... I have learned to love the process of applique and feel that I'm pretty good at it, so some day I would like to see how my work measures up with someone else.

I think my favorite thing about quilting, though, is that when I get "stuck", I can go to my fabric stash and pull it out and eventually something will come to me. [And if it doesn't, there's always NSR* to make me smile.]

*NSR = Naked Stash Rolling (think of it as if your fabrics are $$. Ever said you'd like to take off your clothes and roll in a million dollars just to know what it feels like? NSR is better, by far!)

Giggles for today...

Odessa

It's one of my creative outlets! I *must* have some creativity in my life - it is absolutely necessary to my well being. Before I quilted I sewed my own clothing. Even as a young teen I used to draw floor plans for my "dream homes!" I played in the band and orchestra from the fourth grade through high school graduation. I danced whenever I had the chance. I sang in church choirs, the high school chorus, and college choir. I took a few years of piano classes. I taught myself to knit and took tole painting classes.

My quilting has stuck with me the longest - about 25 years now.

What's next? Maybe hand weaving on a table loom!

Teresa

I quilt to relax, especially when the other half is watching stuff on TV that I do not care to watch. Time really goes fast when I get working on a project.

I also love making things to put away for gifts, and have such a long list I will never get it all completed. At this time I challenged myself to NOT buy more fabric, but get creative and figure out a way to use up what I have. I spend hours checking for ideas and putting the fabric with a project/pattern together in a bag, ready to go.

I enjoy trying new techniques, and often this will end up being a charity quilt for my quild.

Barbara

I quilt because I remember feeling so happy when having a picnic on, or sleeping under, or cuddling when not feeling well, with one of the quilts my grandmother made. I want everyone to know that feeling. I feel her near me when I am working on one that will be given away. I guess that is why I don't own any of my quilts.

I also have to be doing something with my hands. Just can't sit and do nothing, it doesn't feel right to me.

Teresa, I still say go for the floor model.

beverly

why.........because, I like the process from fabric selection to putting in the last stitch.
I like the idea of making something another generation will use and love, of leaving apart of me behind.
I like the challenge, each quilt makes me a better quilter.
I like being able to use up scrap pieces that otherwise would go to waste, the thrifty side meets the creative.

I never set out to quilt, though have been sewing since I was a kid at a treadle. I did my first one several years ago, because I wanted a quilt and I didn't want to spend the kind of dollars one has to spend to get one. I also needed a particular design to go in my newly renovated living room. I did all the renovation, clean down to the plastering. The quilt was just the icing on the renovation. But, the first one turned out so well, it led to another one because I wanted to make one for my mother.

You know how that goes, one fait accompli leads to another, and before you know it, I'm a quilter. Not a really good one, but a productive one.

I don't think I could have been a quilter even ten years ago. The patience it takes to do a month's long project just wasn't there. It is now and when I am up in my sewing room, no matter what stage my quilt is in, I'm in a zen-like state.

I laughed at naked stash rolling. I call myself Silas Marner, because I get out my materials sometimes and just sort them like little golden nuggets. LOL. But, I love to run my hand over a quilt, to feel the poofs and stitches. I love sleeping under them. Snuggly but not fluffy. I can sit and look at one I've finished and get lost all over again looking at how the patterns come together or enjoying the cloth. It's a very tactile passion.

I quilt for me. It provides me a 'time out' from life. It eases my mind.

It simply says this:

I made a quilt for my grandson 16 years ago and my husband said I did a good job then I haven't done anything until about 2-3 years ago when grand girls wanted a quilt I am now making a KU one for my grandson and I thought that was it but now my youngest daughter once one. I told them don't look for perfection for it's not there anymore, I had TIA five years ago with bad arthiris so some of my lines are not straight and I am in my late 70's but I think the enjoyment is them asking me to make one for them and pleasure they get when they get it. I just sent off "The Braid" to my youngest granddaughter and used all her favorite colors in it. In last 2 years I made 8 quilts twin or tv Quilt. No laps

I have many of the reasons already mentioned above. I am a creative person and want something I can do on my own in my little quilting cave. Since I care for old people and must stick close to home, quilting is something I can do here regardless of weather. My CAD background makes me design things, love the geometrics of a block design, and love colors. My love of sports on TV makes me love an applique project sitting on my lap most evenings. I'm blessed with a husband who thinks this is a healthy hobby and loves that it keeps me at home - except for a retreat or class.

wow! in all the yrs I've quilted, no one has ever asked me that question - & it's a good one. Made me think & like the others who've commented before me, there really are many reasons -- the tactile part, feeling the new fabrics; the satisfaction of making something I know pleases the recipient & shows them the thought & care (& work:) that went into it; & just the creating. I truly believe women were made to be creative whether it be quilting, cooking, painting or creating a beautiful family. While making a quilt I often pray for the recipient. I find it relaxes me, eases stress & the friendships I've made around quilting are treasures for sure! I love having something to show for my efforts. A favorite is scrappy quilts, but am also simply addicted to fabric. My q-friends & I agree - quilting is a serious addiction that is fun & accomplishes something - & it's legal:):)

Carol from NY took the worked out of my mouth, the process, the idea that I am leaving a part of me to the future, the challenge, especially finding the right piece of fabic from my stash and finding a uses for the unusable.
Quilting is me--I have done all kinds of creative things but quilting allows me to sew and created and express myself.(and buy more fabric to feed my addition). I keep very little and I am always looking for excuses to make more, I guess I am in love. Jayne

I quilt for the creative outlet, and for a bit of extra income, although that's far and away a secondary consideration. I will get sidetracked at times (right now I'm on a knitting binge) but I'll always come back to quilting.

Like almost everyone else-it is a creative outlet. I had done other things in the past, but this seems to be the one that is sticking with me. Years ago I never would have stuck with it since one needs so much patience to quilt. I constantly think about designs, and think about colors, and also think about who of my friends and family would like these designs. I have given away the majority of my work, so I need to make more!

After reading all the posts (while smiling, nodding and murmuring "Oh yes...") I realize I have no words. I just have to agree with Jayne - "I am in love".

When I quilt I am content, fulfilled, my spirit soars and I am truly at peace, from the inside - out.

Susan

I don't think I ever saw an actual quilt until I was in my 20's, but I remember being entranced by the idea that one could create something out of nothing. (I'm thinking old house dresses and aprons here...not $10 a yard fabric). By the time I got around to taking my first quilt class, I got really interested in the creative part of it and how no two quilts are ever the same. The art of quilting has been like a snow ball for me, growing bigger with each completed project. Now it's a full blown addiction that I just need to do. It's a creative outlet, it's therapeutic, it's challenging, and it provides me with a sense of accomplishlment. My sister and brother are in awe of this whole quilting thing and can hardly believe how much time I spend at it.

Thank you all for sharing your beautiful thoughts and sentiments about quilting. I agree with Susan's statement and I kept nodding and saying "yeah, that's it too" as I was reading the posts. We are truly lucky people to have found something so wonderful and rewarding. And lucky to have one another to share it with, too!

Kate

I started quilting in my early twenties because it took my mind off the stresses in my life. As Kate stated, the therapy. I am a very crafty person, as I find most quilters are. My favorite is still hand quilting and the sound the thread makes as you pull the stitches through the sandwich are hypnotic.
No one I knew quilted and I bought a quilting magazine, the directions were way over my head so I bought 2 full size white cotton sheets, batting, and drew my whole cloth design as I went along.
It took me 3 years to complete and it was the only quilting project I had going. NOT ANY MORE LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I also crochet, knit, paint, and I 'put up' things in the summer.
I kept my first quilt but I always gave away the others. I haven't found anyone yet that will refuse a hand made quilt!!
After moving from Orlando, Florida I made 2 full size for company last year. I am hand quilting a full size for DH now. Like Annie I have been side tracked by knitting lately, I have made 6 'prayer shawls' and I ma working on the seventh in the evenings.
Rosa

Yes, this forum has been quiet lately, and thank you Kate for such a wonderful thread.
Every one of the comments above apply so it's hard to add anything, but I had to add my 2 cents.
The first quilt I ever made was in the late 80's and probably one of the worst designs for a beginner, grandma's fan. I made it for my mother. Machine pieced and hand quilted. It actually turned out great and I haven't stopped since. I do other things, my real passion is painting pastel landscapes. I also love gardening, cooking, flower arranging. But I always come back to quilting for comfort. Have only been to one lesson (although I'm not against them), just a little bit uncomfortable around other people. But I do look at magazines, books, and TV shows for tips. I think other than the destressing, the creativity, the comforting way it feels to work on one and then to enjoy it myself or to give it away, I always feel very connected to other women in the now and in the past, even though I'm not a social butterfly. I especially think a lot about the women in the past who didn't do this for a hobby. They did it for it's necessity, utility, to make useful things out of recycled materials, without all the innovative tools that we have now to make it easier. And I kind of doubt that there were a lot of people who stood around admiring them for their design and beauty, they probably took them for granted - especially men and the sophisticated gentry - which causes me to respect these women the more. They had hard lives from daylight til dark and still made quilts - without electric lights and sewing machines even - it was just something that they did for necessity and to keep busy. But I like to imagine that in the firelight, family all asleep, there was the hope that someone would be thinking of them and appreciating them down the line for their efforts. I know I do, and many people do. Hey, look what happened to the women of Gee's Bend Alabama when some art expert happened upon their simple, utilitarian quilts and sent them to all those museums of art for display! It must have been awesome!