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This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and quilting message board “Sew What’s New,” which was retired in August 2007. It is being provided by “Sew What’s Up,” which serves as the new home for many members of “Sew What’s New.”
From: MaryW
Date: 04-15-2005, 01:35 PM (1 of 7)
Who or what inspires you to quilt? Is it a person, a pattern or fabric?

My initial inspiration is Joanne. When she began lessons on this site, they seemed to draw me in. I am not an avid quilter but I really will always think of Jo whenever I see a quilt or wallhanging.
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005
Total posts: 2542
From: kellyquilter
Date: 04-15-2005, 10:48 PM (2 of 7)
I don't know what really inspired me to start quilting. I had seen quilts at county fairs, and used to have a friend who quilted, and I just wanted to see if I could do it. Then of course I found this site (thanks Mary! :up: ) and Joanne's lessons, and got hooked. It's been over a year since I've been here, but the other people I talked to on the site really helped me appreciate the art and passion of quilting. Now I've got more fabric, and UFO's, than I care to mention...... oh well, my hubby says there's worse things I could be addicted to.

Happy Quilting,
Kelly
United We Stand
User: kellyquilter
Member since: 11-11-2000
Total posts: 66
From: Julia's Nana
Date: 04-16-2005, 04:51 AM (3 of 7)
My inspiration for quilting was the desire to leave something meaningful behing when I die. I have done crafts or needlework all my life. I put a lot of work into things that after awhile got thrown away or did away with because they had served their purpose and people moved on. I threw alot of them away myself as they became worn or soiled. I noticed one day that quilts seemed to be treasured no matter what their conditon and age. My mother in law has one that her mother made that she treasures. The antique stores we go to have them with large price tags, some show lots of use and others abuse but they are still HERE and useful to someone. Hopefully when I go I will leave behind something that someone will treasure...........and if they don't treasure it, at least it will provide some use to someone.

My mentor is Joanne.............she gives so freely of her knowledge to all of us. That in itself is inspritation to help others move forward to increase their skill.

I have always loved fabric.............and I can't think of anyother activity that allows you to buy it without having a use for it right away and get away with it. The person who thought up having a "stash" would be a mentor in my book also...........LOL
User: Julia's Nana
Member since: 08-28-2001
Total posts: 361
From: Magot
Date: 04-16-2005, 07:07 AM (4 of 7)
I don't know what made me first start quilting - i wanted a long project (little did I know) and started my first quilt at college - 1978 and finished it in 1981 sheesh - it hung around as a UFO for about 12 years and I remember thinking I am never sewing another 1 1/2" hexagon AGAIN! Then I saw a quilting magazine which had pins wheels and triangles and 'sew it on the machine in a long chain' sort it thing and out came all my girl's lefftovers and a quilter was born. I really enjoy putting the fabrics together and seeing what I can get - the secondary patterns fascinate me - so many different things from one pattern. Then I started reading, finding books and fell upon this site. At the time Mary had some blocks and Jo some lessons on the site, and I followed those for a sampler quilt but it was too small for me. I rooted around untill I found some more and it ended up twice the size. I lurked for about a year before I came on board and now I am seriously hooked!

At a church camp one year both my daughters, having set up their tent, came out and paraded around wrapped in a quilts that I had made. My friend Lizzie not to be outdone rushed into her tent and got the one I had made her - and I got the one for my bed. It was then I realised how hooked I was. These things wre getting out of hand!

I love looking at contempory art quilts and dreaming - I think my stash is WAY to small to even think of doing a teeny tiny hanging but one day I'll get there. I've tentatively started something using Tony's old shirts (many shades of blue) - maybe someday I'll be able to show you.
love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us
Cells a Speciality
DNA to order.
User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002
Total posts: 3626
From: Susy
Date: 04-16-2005, 09:35 AM (5 of 7)
My daughter inspired me to start sewing clothing a few years ago, she actually hates that I have taken up quilting as I don't sew much since I started trying to quilt. I had promised my husband I would never get in to the quilting but after reading on this site for a couple of months, I started mucking around and I think I will stay seriously addicted to this. I got an illness a few years ago that had kept me fairly inactive so I knitted and and crocheted until I couldn't stand looking at another set of needles so this is my latest. My biggest problem (cheap, maybe) is that I feel like I should always be making small things and using up my fabric so I am having trouble collecting a "stash". Oh, well, hopefully this too shall pass.
User: Susy
Member since: 02-05-2005
Total posts: 39
From: esrun3
Date: 04-16-2005, 10:30 PM (6 of 7)
I've been sewing for as long as I can remember. My mother used to quilt also. But my grandson Justin got me into quilting. He saw a quilt in the fabric store that he liked and asked me to make him one. So....I signed up for the class and he chose the fabrics. I loved quilting and was very pleased with the way his quilt turned out. So was he! Now it seems I'm forever buying quilting books/magazines and finding a new pattern to try. I always enjoyed seeing others quilts but never really did any until Justin asked his grandma to make him one-who can resist? :wink:
Lyn
User: esrun3
Member since: 12-02-2004
Total posts: 2345
From: beachgirl
Date: 04-17-2005, 11:07 AM (7 of 7)
I have to " blame " my mom so to speak for my starting quilting or even sewing for that matter. She never taught me either one but she was always either at the machine or doing quilting by hand. I was 25 & 1300 miles from her when I got my first second hand machine. Taught myself to sew with a Singer sewing book. Then later decided to try to make a quilt. I decided to start small so I made a toss pillow with a quilt block. It took off from there. When I'd get stumped I'd sit & picture my mom working on what I was trying to figure out & it would just come to me. You don't realize what you learn without thinking about what your watching. Years ago when I made my first tumbling blocks I did it on the machine. Later I was watching a quilt show & the gal said you couldn't do it on a machine. I was stunned. Now they are doing it on the machine all the time. Goes to show you that if you aren't told you can't do something, you can. I like to try things just to see " if " I can do it. I love quilting & home dec the best. I've sewn for kids & adults but can't fit myself for the most part. Love the machine embroidery plus still do some by hand. The only thing I haven't tackled is fitted slip covers for a couch. Not afraid to but don't want to maybe mess up the expensive material. :shock:
User: beachgirl
Member since: 08-31-2004
Total posts: 615
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