Judy, I just always look for somebody to teach about quilting. I love it so much for what it has brought to my life. I want everybody else to experience it as well. It's great that you can share it with grandchildren. I hope to do that someday.

Dana in Olive Branch, MS

Dana, you'll always be young!!! It's good news that you saw younger quilters at Paducah--I can't imagine this wonderful craft dying out. I taught two of my granddaughters to hand piece and sew on the machine. I'm hoping to teach another two granddaughters how to use the machine this summer. They wouldn't have the patience to handpiece like the first two, but if I can just spark some interest. I feel it's important to pass my love of needlework down the generations. Quilting has given me such joy for over 25 yrs. and I want to pass a little of that joy to my grandchildren. They all have quilts I've made them, too. Maybe they'll make quilts for THEIR children and grandchildren!

Judy, I noticed a lot more younger quilters at the Paducah show in 2007 also. Twelve years ago, I was one of those younger ones when I first started.....I guess now I'm a middle-aged one.

Dana in Olive Branch, MS

I think the quilting industry was worried that younger people weren't getting involved in quilting and their customers were getting older and not buying as much. I just read recently, though, that the International Quilt Festival in Houston saw alot younger quilters than ever before in 2007--that's good news!

Maybe now I can contact my local PBS station about having some quilting shows. Three years ago when I asked, they told me that there wasn't enough interest in the NY metro area. :shock: Maybe I'll include the link and then they can rethink their policies.
eileenkny

"It's hard to believe that a $4 million industry is a dying industry."

I sure hate to correct you but it's a $4 Billion (with a B!) industry! That's quite a difference!

From what I've read, quilting is the third most popular hobby, the third biggest, spending wise! Woodworking has the biggest spenders. My husband is a woodworker and we sure spend money on our hobbies. He's spent more than I have on tools and machines and I've spent more than he has on materials!

JoAnne

Quilts, Inc. (the producers of the big quilt shows like Houston Quilt Fest) also has a spot about Ricky's appearance on CBS, with a link to the video! WOW what an impact!

WandaM

I just received a notice from Jinny Beyer's site about the spot on Sunday Morning. She also provides a link to the video. What a great boost for the quilting community! Marge

I had even told my mom about the show on Saturday - I guess she was thinking of some other show

Kimber that sounds like us, only we were in connecting hotel rooms. When we decided to go to brunch instead of b'fast, I figured we might catch the show, so I told George to turn the TV on to CBS in the boys' room... a few minutes later, Andrew comes in to tell ME that there's going to be something about quilting on the TV I might wanna see.... "Who's on first??"

I loved the show!! My mom called me two hours later (I'm in MI, she's in CO) to tell me the show was on. She forgot that with the time change I had already watched it

Dying art, my foot! They just aren't lookin' around!

I loved the segment. WOO HOO Ricky!!!

It's hard to believe that a $4 million industry is a dying industry. Just look at the growth of TQS in just one year! This CBS profile is a great "shot in the arm" for quilting!

Great job Ricky!

WandaM

retiredgrandma5 wrote:
I recently bought a new sewing machine, and in the classes on using the machine ten of the twelve owners of new machines bought the machine primarily for quilting purposes. The owner of the shop says it is a sewing center, but even she admits that quilters are a major part of her sales. Why else would manufacturers make machines with features such as a larger throat and even feed systems, if they weren't aiming for the quilting market? Marge in NE Ohio