Why do you quilt?

[Cokie]

I've been looking at my stash of fabric and all of my UFOs and wondering why I do this. I started quilting because it's something I have always wanted to. It provides me with a connection to both my grandmothers, who both quilted, and I know the craft goes back further in our family. I wanted a connection with those women in my family, even though I never met them. My mom sews a little but never wanted to quilt. I thought it would be nice to create some quilts that maybe someone someday would view as an heirloom and want to keep.

I took a few classes and always came away with an unfinished project, which disappointed me, so I quit taking classes. I can make enough UFOs on my own. I have finished some small things, but after making things for myself and for my family, it seems like they don't appreciate or see value in "homemade" things. I know there are groups I can donate to, and I have, but I feel discouraged because part of the reason I wanted to quilt in the first place doesn't seem to exist any longer. I don't have any daughters to pass the craft along to in my family, and my granddaughters live across the country and have no interest in anything like this.

Sometimes I just wonder if it's enough to quilt because I like to quilt (or scrapbook, or cross-stitch, or anything). I'd love my husband and sons to have more interest in this, but they don't. Does anyone else ever feel this way? I guess I really have the blahs today and just wondered if I'm crazy thinking like this.

Sorry for the whining, and if you've read this far, thank you. Just needed to get that out.

[Claire Hallman]

Re: Why do you quilt?

Just enjoy it for your own pleasure, nothing else is necessary.

[Iris Girl]

Re: Why do you quilt?

I quilt because I like it. It gives me peace. My hubby could care less, but both my sons have in put in my quilts. I quilt for us and donate. I am also a clothing maker and do that for the family also.

[Yanna]

Re: Why do you quilt?

I love to quilt. I have made so many quilts for my family it is unreal. LOL They are happy to get them. The grandsons even make suggestions. I make baby quilts for my friends daughters, daughter-in-laws, and friends of friends etc. I don't charge for any because then it would feel like a job. I think I will start getting them to pay for the material. In the last 3 month I have make 7 baby quilts and fours throws. I do have a few UFO's which I plan on finishing soon. hahahaha I started to do everything by machine in the last year and a half. Hand quilting takes to long and can't afford to send them off to be quilted.
Cokie make baby quilts. They are small and so easy to complete. Give them to friends who are expecting a grand baby. They will love it. I have one I made this week that I am bringing to the young lady that works at Hobby Lobby in the material department. She is expecting her first baby this month. I know she will love it because she ask me what I was doing with all the baby material.
Well I've went on long enough. I never type more than a sentence at one time on the forum.
Ceana

[PrettyCurious]

Re: Why do you quilt?

I quilt because I need some quilts.
I make insulated curtains, because they don't sell what I want.
I make bags, tool holders, work aprons, ect, because I need them, and don't want to pay a child in china pennies to sew it for me.
Plenty of people would love for me to make them a quilt, but they don't really know what goes into one, and I have many things to sew for this house yet. I alternate beteen "Have to's" and "Want to's".
I have 2 prices: "Free if I want to, and I get to pick the design", and "You can't afford me, so you may as well pick the design"
Right now I am doing a free one. I always wanted to try a Disappering nine patch, so that's what they're getting. Out of scraps, plus a daily deal charm pack. When I finish this, I'll do a "Have to" or two.

However, I have never taken a class, and have no UFO's since my first try when I marked over 200 squares to make HST's and the ink disappeared before I could sew them. I put that thing in a project tote, and maybe one day I'll do it. Or not. LOL
If I did take a class, and didn't finish it before the class ended, I certainly would finish it by myself. What's stopping you? If it's partially sewed and you no longer have an intrest in making the quilt, is there enough of it to make a set of placemants, or handbag out of it? It's YOUR project. Do what you want with it.
Sew for yourself. Then you won't be disapointed.

[quiltingaway]

Re: Why do you quilt?

Sometimes I just wonder if it's enough to quilt because I like to quilt (or scrapbook, or cross-stitch, or anything). I'd love my husband and sons to have more interest in this, but they don't. Does anyone else ever feel this way? I guess I really have the blahs today and just wondered if I'm crazy thinking like this.

For me it is certainly enough to quilt just because I like it. I love quilting, all aspects of it and it has helped me through some low spots in my life. I've met so many wonderful friends through quilting, women I know who will be lifelong friends. Don't we all need something to do for no other reason than that we enjoy doing it? If you feel like classes just give you more UFOs rethink taking them. I used to start one project and finish it, then took classes and often they would turn into UFOs. If I take classes now it is more to learn a technique rather than a quilt. My husband doesn't care to hear every last detail of my quilting but he is always supportive and appreciates all that is involved with the process. If you enjoy quilting, quilt!

[bakermom]

Re: Why do you quilt?

I quilt because it gives me peace, keeps me sane and connects me with my past. I come from an area where quilting was/is a big thing. My grandma was a quilter, and in my mind everytime I make a quilt then make yet another from the scraps I am honoring her as well as the talented ladies I grew up around.

[shirleyknot]

Re: Why do you quilt?

I have always loved the creative aspect of working with fabric. It used to be clothing; sometimes designing one-off outfits for a local boutique, sometimes just for myself. But you can only wear so many nice clothes, especially when you live on a farm and spend your time with horses. So, I learned to quilt. Its just as satisfying, just as much color and style, and you really can't have too many quilts.......right?

[shirleyknot]

Re: Why do you quilt?

it is certainly enough to quilt just because I like it.

TRUTH! Absolutely.

[Carlie Wolf]

Re: Why do you quilt?

I quilt because I like it and just love working with colors and texture. I'm lucky that my sisters love and do appreciate things I've made for them and they do pass on the info and do brag fests on occasion that brings me in an order. But it does bring with it a lot of emotions both joy and frustration. That's part of life though isn't it? No matter what we do that happens anyway :-) I particularly love it when I see a fabric or get a certain idea that just screams it belongs to someone I know. I give them as gifts and it turns out that although it may be sad if they don't appreciate it, the joy (and I mean real joy!) was in the fun of making it. I LOVE doing that.

That said....ultimately some day you will see me on the Hoarding program with every inch of space filled with quilts and quilt related things. You'll say "Oh, I knew her on the internet, I wondered what happened to her" as they pick my dead body out of a ceiling high pile of quilts with a sign that says "She died happy".

[jjkaiser]

Re: Why do you quilt?

I quilt because I like fabric and all the colors and it is fun to put my own spin on patterns. (I keep my patterns simple out of fear of if I pick anything too challenging I will never finish it or it will take the fun out of it). I hand quilt because I know how and am pretty good at it, and it turns quilt making into a portable project I can do on my lap while I watch TV.

[cmhquilter]

Re: Why do you quilt?

I also quilt because it challenges me creatively but is also relaxing. I give them as gifts but would still quilt even if I wasn't giving them away.

[grammaterry]

Re: Why do you quilt?

I think we all wonder sometimes and sometimes we obsess but we do it because we enjoy the process of creation. We create babies to love and to nurture eventhough they are lots of work and we create crafts to fill our empty souls and nests. We want a few ooohs and ahhs from people who don't quilt because who doesn't want to shine for a moment. And when we give a gift we want the recipient to accept it with the same love we gave it in and when that doesn't happen, of course we are going to be crestfallen but we will do it again and again and again. I seem to be at a place in life where I need something to do just for me but I don't really need the object and I really can't afford to make the items unless I have a purpose so it seems I justify In donation.

[SuzyQue]

Re: Why do you quilt?

I use to sew all my clothes.....then all my kiddos things....then I took a long break to educate our children and live our lives. When I had time, energy, and desire to sew again, I had grown lumpy and bumpy and my patterns no longer fit. After some disastrous looking fitting attempts, I tried a quilt. I knew that shape would fit any shape body. I was quickly hooked! Quilting has seen me through many deaths, rough years, and depression. It was the light that kept me going. I quilt for me. I quilt for others if I want to, but it won't be a job for me unless it has to be......long down the road. It is my creative outlet, my hope, my love and my joy. I intend to be able to always view it that way!

[corgimagic]

Re: Why do you quilt?

As most say I quilt for the pleasure it gives me. I quilt because I have memories of helping my grandmother quilt. I quilt because I need something that is about me. I have the support and sounding board of my husband and when he is home my stepson, I have friends and family who appreciate and admire the quilts they are given and even though I am 50yrs old I still get a catch in my throat when my father says he is proud of my creations. I quilt because I am me.