I’m often asked that question, mainly by non-quilters. I find that sometimes others (i.e. non quilters) just don’t get it. Why would a completely normal, sane person buy beautiful fabric, only to cut it up and then spend a long time sewing it back to make a whole piece again?

It does sound a little loopy, I agree, but unless you’re a quilter, you simply won’t understand the almost mega-addiction that quilters develop whilst practicing their passion.

I’m one of those quilters who really need to stitch each day. It doesn’t have to be much, but I really need to do it just like I need to drink water to enable my organs to work and eat food to sustain me. Quilting sustains me too, but in different ways.

If I don’t get a chance to have a needle in my hand each day, then I can sometimes manage by having a browse through a Favourite book, or some publication that has to do with patchwork and quilting. I have to say it’s not a good substitute, and as my darling husband and friends will agree that it will only substitute for a day or so.

So why do I quilt? I’ve poured the following responses out of my head, and some responses have come completely and only from my heart. I must admit, I’m pretty surprised at some of my responses. But it’s an honest outpouring of the reasons why I quilt.

I quilt because it makes me feel good
I quilt because I feel I can be productive, often in a seemingly non-productive environment
I quilt because it’s something I can enjoy alone or with a hundred other quilters
I quilt because I have a drive to create – even neat little stitches, all the same, all in a row
I quilt because I go to another place in my head – and forget the troubles of the day
I quilt because I want to make warm covers for my family to wrap around themselves
I quilt because I can speak through my creating – say things that I might not otherwise say out loud
I quilt because it allows me the time to mull over problems, not always solving, but making time to think
I quilt because it’s all about me, not family, career, or others expectations, just me
I quilt because I love to play with color and I’m a hopeless painter
I quilt because I can amaze myself with what I’m capable of creating
I quilt because it absorbs and diminishes the various bumps and bruises of a busy day
I quilt because it’s my lifeline - without it I just might go insane
I quilt because of the friendships I have made and continue to make each and every day
I quilt because my knowledge grows and grows with each quilting experience, and that boosts my self esteem
I quilt because I’m in control of the input and the output – no one else gets a say
I quilt because I encounter the most interesting people, with the most interesting stories
I quilt because it allows me to give and share in the generosity of spirit that is found amongst quilters.

I wonder why you quilt. Would you be prepared to sit down and have a go at putting in writing why you quilt?

I’m going to set up a forum with this very questions and I encourage you to go to the forum and let us know what motivates you to quilt. See the link below.