| This study investigated quiltmakers' levels of development, competitiveness trait, and competitive orientations in relationship to perceived constraints and behaviors of continuance or discontinuance. A total of 615 surveys was distributed by mail or in person through quilt guilds, shops, and clubs; of the 459 returned, 24 were from inactive quiltmakers.;All hypotheses were either partially supported or general tendencies were consistent with expected relationships. Although not related to age, level of quiltmaking development was related to measures of equipment, knowledge, experience level, perceived skill, participation, and commitment; each of these factors increased from beginners through experts and declined for post-experts. Although the number of leisure activities participated in was not related to competitiveness trait, number of activities decreased from beginner to expert and increased for post-experts. This study also demonstrated that level of development could vary among activities for one person.;Quiltmakers placed more emphasis on "performing well" than "winning," but both goals increased from beginners to experts and decreased for post-experts. The nature of the competitive opponent also progressed from standards, to self, to others through the expert stage and shifted to self and standards for post-experts. Additionally, an emphasis on "fun" was replaced by "work" through the expert stage and reverted to "fun" for post-experts.;Quiltmakers were not affected to a high degree by many structural, interpersonal, or intrapersonal constraints. Although type of constraint varied by level of development, beginners and post-experts tended to face the highest number of each type of constraint and were affected to a stronger degree. Although inactive quiltmakers did not face more constraints than active quiltmakers, discontinuance behavior was related to level of development. Quitters tended to be beginning quiltmakers; replacers were intermediate quiltmakers; and continuers, adders, and specializers were experts and post-experts. Finally, active quiltmakers were more competitive than inactive quiltmakers. |
