BellaOnline Forums Hobbies and Crafts Quilting Tell me about yourself

When I sew, I have too much time on my hands to think up questions. Here are a few.

How long have you been quilting?

How many quilts/wallhangings do you usually make in a year?

Have you ever been paid for your quilts?

When do you quilt?

How many hours a week or month do you spend working on your quilts?

Who "helps" you quilt (kids, animals, ect.)?

Besides fabric, what was the last sewing related treat did you buy yourself or receive as a gift?

When you can't be at your sewing machine during trips and such, what do you take with you to feed your need?

What other crafty hobbies do you have?

This should be fun! Let's see...I have been quilting for about 2 years now, almost 3. I usually make about 10 to 20 quilts of various sizes in a year. I've stopped counting because I'm always forgetting some little project that I coooked up over a weekend. Last year I did a little commission work on some smaller projects, the round tuits. I haven't been paid for a larger quilt yet. I quilt whenever I can get a few minutes, although it's been hard since we moved as I don't have a space set up for it, so getting all of my stuff together can be an all-day endeavor. The times vary, but I usually put in an hour or two a day. Not as much lately, but that is probably the average. I get a lot of "help" from my three girls, and now a puppy too. He always wants to sleep at my feet, on the sewing machine foot pedal, while I am sewing. The last little treat I got for myself was the add a quarter ruler, and I love it. It really adds a finishing touch to my foundation blocks. (One of my guild members laughed and said, "Who sees the seams anyway?" but I really like it.) If I can't be sewing while I am gone somewhere then I try to bring books, magazines, and drawing materials to jot down inspirations. I used to also cross stitch, but my hands can't take it any more. Once in a while I whip up a garment, and I am always doing some little project with the girls. I'd like to do some mosaics, or even stained glass. The start up costs for the stained glass are prohibitive for me right now, but it's definitely in my future!

I was too tired last night to even answer my own questions. I had tried to sew but my straight stitch came out looking like a zigzag. <img src="/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

How long have you been quilting?

Just exactly a year.

How many quilts/wallhangings do you usually make in a year?

Last year I did about 9 quilts, 10 quilos (easy type) and 10 stockings.

Have you ever been paid for your quilts?

Other than a smile and a thank you, no.

When do you quilt?

I can sometimes slip in some sewing in the morning when the kids are having breakfast. But, I can only do a little because they eat fast so they can help. My most productive time is between 10 pm and 2 am. I have to watch the clock because on a good night I have gone until 4am without realizing it.

How many hours a week or month do you spend working on your quilts?

When I am feeling creative, then it is about 15 hours a week. And, when I am not, I don't touch the machine or cutter.

Who "helps" you quilt (kids, animals, ect.)?

Everyone is interested, but the youngest two are the most "helpful". Jarrett would love it if he could pull the material through the machine for me. Jaxon has more of an interest in the needles. I have to be careful not to put any in my mouth because I have seen him trying to imitate me. I would rather he not touch the needles at all, but he moves fast. ;-)

Besides fabric, what was the last sewing related treat did you buy yourself or receive as a gift?

I lost my cutter two weeks ago and was facing a deadline. Wouldn't you know, right after I opened the new one, I found the old one. And, I do mean with in minutes.

When you can't be at your sewing machine during trips and such, what do you take with you to feed your need?

I will usually grab a cross stitch to take with me. I have a little simple cross stitch that I have been carrying with me in my purse for almost a year. On the rare occation that I am waiting for someone/thing and I am kidless, I work on it. I think it has happened twice in the last year.

What other crafty hobbies do you have?

I sewed pull overs for the boys this last year. It reminded me why I don't sew clothes. I have done some cool needlepoint things, but now with four kids, keeping all of the threads and such in one place and organized is just not going to happen.