HPiner, it's lovely to hear that you like creating your own designs. I think you're lucky if you have that in your nature. Some quilters are just happy to use other people's patterns - I guess it's horses for courses.

cheerio for now

Both of my grandmothers were quilters and I loved to watch them work. Then while I was in high school and started helping the women's quilting group at my church. They taught me so much and I loved it. But I had to wait until my children were older (the last one in high school) before I really go to start quilting. That was 20 years ago and I haven't looked back. I love all the processes. Especially taking 2-3 patterns and putting them together to make my own quilts.

I am like so many of you. Don't be around me when I haven't sewn much! I am not a pleasant person then.

You made me laugh Galloping Butterfly, it took me a while to get my husband to realise that a no sew day for me, was a no go day for him! Nowadays, he checks to see that I've got some time for sewing!

Cheerio for now

A love of crafts and sewing, My mother, grandmnothers and great grandmother all were wonderful seamstresses. I have fond memories of sitting making dolls clothes with both my grandmothers, in particular a blue checked dress for my favourite doll. My parents never had a lot of money, so often clothes were made from dresses from my grandmothers or others that were given to Mum, and any scraps of material were sewn together to make outfits. I still do this today, using up all scraps. I had my first "patchwork" lesson back in the late 1980's when my youngest son was at preschool. A few years of lots of patchwork and quilting before off farm income was needed. And now after semi-retiring I have started again in the last 2 years. Although currently not doing anything much, as my other obsession family tree research has taken over. But one or other of these loves or my new find of scrapbooking and card making occupy the majority of most days for me. I once told a good friend I would need to live at least another 100 years to finish all the projects I have in my head to do with these 3 hobbies, let alone anything new or a new hobby I might want to learn. I tend not to go to classes or groups anymore, as I have few enough hours in a day as it is, instead I sit and sew, or research or glue, and am happy to pass the time with my ever growing family and circle of friends. Unfortunatley, I still have not made myself a quilt to keep. I have made over 20 single bed size or bigger quilts in the last 2 years, and given them all away. My grandchildren, love it when grandma produces another quilt, their dilema is which one do they put on the bed? And when I have made dolls cot quilts for my granddaughter to match her quilts, they cannot be used for the dolls, but are just right for quilts to go over the pillows, so now I make pillow quilts to match the bed quilts for the grandchildren, as they like them better then a matching pillowcase. So I guess a love of sewing and craft and growing up being frugal, with an artistic leaning, but not tallented enough to draw led me to quilting.

Well Rosely from Sao Carlos, BRazil. I always love to see patchworked quilts or bags. When I married, 35 years ago, I met my husband's aunt (in fact she hosted us for a week while looking for a house) and saw that beautiful log cabin quilt over her bed and got hooked as you say. After retirement, a friend of mine Sonia taught me how to do a nine patch square and I am here, writing to experienced quilters. I must add that Judie's newsletter helps me a lot keep going on this world.! Cheer to Judie and all quilters!

This may sound like a sad story but it really isn't. It is a story of a friend who had the courage to reach out to a woman in need. Several years ago I had a bad year. It started with the death of my dad and ended with my diagnosis of breast cancer. At any rate, my friends at work knew I need help but didn't know what to do. A dear woman decided that I should learn to quilt. She was with me at classes; hovering over me as I worked and helped me with color and fabric choices. That was almost 15 years ago. I still work on quilting but also do other sewing. I will be forever grateful to this woman who introduced me to fabric arts. I had sewed when my children were young but this was different. She also introduced me to groups of woman quilters. Spending time with them is like no other.