when and why did you start quilting?

ccquilter · Post by **ccquilter** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 1:56 am

happy new year from cape cod...let's share our stories of how we started quilting...i am a former home ec teacher...so i have been sewing for years...quilting for me started about 15 years ago...but sewing started when i was about 8 years old when a neighbor inspired me with the remarkable doll clothes she made for her daughter...grandma was a seamstress and nana made clothes for her six daughters...i have her treadle machine...she was also a quilter...how about you?

dforseth · Post by **dforseth** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 3:00 am

I have sewn clothing for a LONG time. When the kids grew up and I didn't need to sew to keep us all from being naked I started wanting to quilt, but didn't know how to choose the fabrics. One day I met a former employer who had retired and started quilting and she showed me how to choose. I like to say "Joyce created a monster", then my daughter remindes me that "Ms Joyce only opened the door, the monster was already there!" I have been quilting about 4 years now.

Debbie

Spudgrandma · Post by **Spudgrandma** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 6:43 am

I sewed when my children were growing up, made all their T-shirts, PJs, and my youngest daughters jeans (she was really long legged and skinny.) When they were babies I made a few quilts that were tied and then did not have the time or the money to continue.

When the grandkids started coming 4 years ago I started making baby quilts and machine quilting them. I have one more baby quilt to finish and then would like to start on twin quilts for them. I have so much to learn but look forward to the journey.

Susie · Post by **Susie** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 7:18 am

I started just last January when I joined this forum. I drug out an old handpieced top that my grandma made and decided to hand quilt it and once that was finished I was hooked! The people on this forum helped me so much! I am retired now so I have plenty of time to devote to it (although my DH still likes me to cook).
Susie

1quiltinnana · Post by **1quiltinnana** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 7:35 am

HI...I've been quilting about 5 or 6 years now. I have sewn clothes and crafts since High School in Home Ec. classes and at home. I made my clothes for work when I married. I made my first dress and learned that from my Grandmother in 8th grade.....then, I started looking at Quilt books one day and the magazines...I loved them. My Aunts used to make quilts from scraps...and did it all by hand. I thought I'd never learn how to quilt. Some friends got me started and I learned a lot from them and from this forum. I love to do it and am making 3 quilts now. I bought new Quilting books last week and can't wait to start a new one. My friends help a lot as they are advanced and experienced quilters. Enjoy and Happy Quilting!

Post by **Marilynsgrammy** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 1:01 pm

I started quilting when my MIL died... she left my DH some quilt tops... When he and his brothers and sisters were dividing up the treasures they leftout two adopted granddaughters....I felt bad for these two girls and bought some batting and backing fabric and a sewing machine and made them each a quilt.... I didn't tie it and didn't stitch in the ditch or anything... the only way they are anchored is by the binding..... While the siblings argued over who would get the tuppeware these two girls have something from their grandma....Then I saw a free class offered by our local college and took it.... and now I am hooked....

Chriss

MAWmum · Post by **MAWmum** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 1:22 pm

I have dabbled at quilting for years but didn't start being obsessive about it until about 3 years ago. My dad's mom was a quilter but we were never close so I never learned anything from her(I wish we had been closer but she was wierd and my dad was never close to his family long story)

maryq · Post by **maryq** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 2:05 pm

I first learned how to sew on my Grandmothers treadle machine back when I was like in 9th grade maybe? When I got hooked on sewing my folks bought me an electric machine from Montgomery Wards! I sewed quite a bit on that old machine until I got a new machine in 1979. I've sewn a lot of clothes, made most of the clothes my kids wore when they were little. My DD hasn't forgiven me yet for making her go to kindergarten in home made clothes LOL. When I ended up working full time I didn't sew much for years--the kids got into fancy jeans etc and I didn't have time to sew like I did when I was a SAHM.

When we sold our business I retired for 6 months and got the machine out of moth balls and started sewing mittens and baby blanets, just from pre quilted panels at Joann. I bet I made about 40 of them and gave them to a local shelter for women/children. Then, in order to be able to buy more fabric (and have health insurance) I went back to work full time. Last year just before Christmas I was cleaning up one of my spare bedrooms and found some Christmas fabric I forgot I had and thought... hhhmmm, what can I make for gifts out of this! So I asked my friend who is a quilter what/how to do it! Made a couple lap quilts for friends and definately got HOOKED big time. Then, surfing the net for patterns and information on how to quilt, I came across QIAD and signed up for the forum--having NO idea what I was doing!

What a difference a year makes! I've learned so much and had so fun sewing again!! I still whip up mittens now and then and made my DGS a pair of flannel jammies for Christmas. But now I'm totally in love with quilting and fabric and all the stuff that goes with it!! And my Credit Cards LOVE me too!!!

Happy New Year everyone!!!

marymargaret

sunsup · Post by **sunsup** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 3:23 pm

I needed a sewing machine and the closest place at the time was a LQS.
I ended up with a Bernina and free lessons and the rest is history.

ps the fabric in that LQS was like candy in a candy store.

LabbieMom · Post by **LabbieMom** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 3:28 pm

I stumbled upon a wonderful fabric shop in Vermont and started to buy some Hoffman fabric to cut a neck kerchief for my dog. When the store heard my plans for the expensive fabric they convinced me to buy more and make a simple lap quilt by adding some borders. I figured I could sew it by hand- I had pieced squares a few years before that.

Long story-short- I lived in Walpole MA at the time and asked a quilt shop there for help- they showed me how to use a machine. I was hooked. I was 22 years old at the time. More than 10 years later I moved up from the Jem Janome to a Kenmore and have been sewing clothes for my baby girl along with quilts, pillowcases, you name it!

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