truth #2 - quilting isn't just for old ladies

ah, truth #2 - quilting isn't just for old ladies seems to be a hard stereotype to break.

quilters come in all different shapes, sizes, colors, genders, and ages.  they also have styles that range from stark, minimalist, modern quilts to newly completed quilts that look like they have been handed down through generations.

i'm rapidly approaching 40, i am happy to call myself a quilter.  i tend to heavily favor modern fabrics over reproduction prints (this is probably the understatement of the year), but i'm just as happy with making some of the traditional pieced quilt blocks as i am with designs from the the modern quilt world.  i like, appreciate, and understand that the two styles can exist together.  unfortunately, this isn't true for all of us.  there will be more on this subject later.

fortunately, i live in an area that has a pretty good amount of shops that offer classes on quilting.  when i go to the shop that carries more modern fabrics, the class attendee demographic skews lower (people in their 30s and 40s mostly).

i do not want anybody to get the impression that i am ageist.  i really don't care if i'm in a class with an older group as long as they are nice and don't look down their nose at me for using less traditional fabric.  i have met some incredibly cool ladies in those classes.  chronologically, they probably do fall into the old lady category, but they certainly don't act their age.  many of the quilters that i know are just happy to be around other folks that have a common interest.  it is a pretty inclusive group.  i also have friends that are in their 20s, 30s, and 40s that are making quilts.

the bottom line is this... quilting isn't just for old ladies.  like all hobbies/passions/whatnot, it is incredibly important to cultivate the interest of people that are new to the quilting world no matter how old or young they may be.

p.s. here's a list of some of my favorite quilters/pattern designers/fabric designers:
julie herman of jaybird quilts
tula pink
camille roskelley of thimble blossoms
vanessa christenson of v and co
elizabeth hartman of oh, fransson!