Judy L's questions

1. Why do you quilt?

Quilting gives me a feeling of accomplishment, it keeps my mind thinking. I love the feel of a quilted quilt. I love the feel of fabric. I love quilts, to look at, to snuggle under and to decorate with.

2. How long have you been quilting?

I think I started quilting in the 70's. I couldn't devote very much time to it then because my kids were little and I was busy with them, so it kind of went by the wayside until my oldest was in college. So I guess I started devoting more time to quilting in the 90's and it has been non stop since then. I bought a Gammill Classic in 1999 and began quilting for others.

3. What made you start quilting?

We always had quilts in the house. My Grandmother was a quilter so I grew up having them. When I was newly married I belonged to a Home Economics club. One of our guests was a quilter. She showed so many beautiful quilts, much prettier than the utility quilts we had when I was a kid. This lady gave classes so I signed up. Although the classes were hand piecing and hand quilting I fell in love with the process.

4. What sewing machine do you use mostly for piecing?

Bernina 440

5. What machine do you use mostly for quilting

HQ16

6. If you could have any sewing machine you want -- money isn't an issue -- just get anything you want . . what would you get?

I would buy exactly what I have, the Bernina 440. I would buy an A-1 quilting machine or an APQS if I had the space.

7. When you buy a sewing machine, how long do you expect you'll keep it? Til a newer and bigger and better model comes out? Til the old one refuses to make another stitch?

I have a Bernina 153 that I dearly love. I would not have even thought of buying the 440 if it had not been for the quilting sensor foot. I sold my Gammill when I moved to North Carolina a few years ago and thought the new Bernina 440 would satisfy my quilting needs. I wasn't going to quilt for others. I soon realized that wasn't the case so I bought the HQ. I am happy with my set up and unless I get a bigger house the HQ will stay. I can't imagine any feature making me want to replace my Bernina.

8. On a scale of 1 - 10, how much do you love your stash? (10 means you LOVE it! 1 means you'd get rid of it all today if you could!)

Maybe a 7 or an 8.

9. Why do you have the stash? How did it come about? Why is it the size that it is?

I started a stash just about 5 years ago when I worked at a quilt shop. I could purchase fabric for 50% of cost so I stocked up!! Then it kind of became a habit. I realize now that I have way more than I will ever use and really watch what I buy.

10. When we talk about "stashbusting", what are your thoughts? Use every crumb of the stash? Use as much stash as you add? Shop the stash first but don't feel bad if you have to go buy additional fabric for a project? Don't mind buying for a project but not buying just for the purpose of having the fabric . . with no project in mind?

Use what I have first but if I see something that I just have to have I don't feel guilty buying it as long as I have a project in mind for it.

Carol