As devotees of a quiet and contemplative pastime, they would be the last to make a fuss about it.
But quilters, it seems, have every right to celebrate their craft after researchers found that it is “uniquely” good for you.
A study found quilting improved well-being in ways that physical and outdoor activities could not, and offered a creativity that had been “stifled” in the modern world.
The University of Glasgow team concluded that all hobbies - “from reading to train spotting” - should be looked at for their mental and physical benefits.
They interviewed quilters and found the activity helped their cognitive, creative and emotional well-being, particularly among older people.
The use of bright colours was “uplifting”, the activity distracted from the stress of work, and quilting offered challenges such as maths and geometry. It also increased confidence and had an important social side.
Professor Jacqueline Atkinson, co-author of the study and a quilter herself for five decades, said: “Doing something that engages you and that you enjoy is key. As adults, we don’t often do enough that includes fun and play.
“We put a lot into studying the use of green spaces and that’s useful to individuals and communities. But maybe we need to say there are other things too.” - Daily Mail