Marcia

Everyone's comments about guilds have been interesting to read. I have had a positive and a negative experience.

In VA I belongs to Quilter's Unlimited. http://www.quiltersunlimited.org/index.htm It is a HUGE guild with over 1000 memebers, so it is divided into 12 chapters. There were day and night meetings on different days of the week, in different locations and each chapter was totally different. The chapter that I belonged to met on Tuesday mornings-the first week of the month was a business meeting, the third Tuesday was a program meeting, the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays were sit-and-sew. There was show and tell every week. They had guest speakers, block of the month activities, classes, demos, workshops, retreats, and bus trips to area quilt shows, etc. Everyone was really supportive and willing to help. I found that the more I attended and met people, the more fun I had and the more I got out of it. It was a great group of ladies and I had a good experience. The guild even has a big non-juried quilt show every year and all the quilts in it belong to guild members-they have LOTS of vendors, too-it is a fun show.

So, when I moved to GA I knew I wanted to find a guild to meet fellow quilters, make new friends and have that same companionship I had in VA. My closest guild was 30 miles away, but I joined and attended the once a month meetings. There were about 75 members and most of the ladies were in their 70s and 80s (no offense to anyone here :D ). They had all been friends for years, were very set in their ways, and did not care about sharing their love of quilting with "an outsider". Even though I did not feel very welcome, I decided to keep attending (we have retired here and I need to make the most of this) and even volunteered for a job with their upcoming quilt show. When some family problems arose and I was not able to attend meetings for several months in a row, no one called to find out why and when I returned, no one even noticed I had been gone. I found this very disheartening because they spent part of every meeting talking about this person and the other's health, etc. I finally gave up and quit.

That is why I turned to this message board. You are now my guild. We may not go on retreats together, but the show and tell is great and you cannot beat the support.

Still, I would encourage anyone to try a guild, if they have the opportunity. Most quilters are wonderful and would welcome you with open arms.

cookiemonster

Guild! Fun, lots of good friends to meet.. Share same common bond.. Inspiring, networking.. can be challenging for newbie to join in those quilt gangs, who might seem to you as criticism but are just trying to help you learn.. Our guild has huge book/tool/rulers borrowing all created by members. We pay a yearly fee, attend mthly, have small garage, craft sale by members, exchange with Grand forks quild, put up a huge show every 2yrs. Show/tell is everyones'favorite and the workshops.. Our guild is non-profit with over 300+ members huge group.

Onebyone

A great guild will have fundraisers to have workshops and programs from many different instructors. Lots of challenges and projects for members to choose which ones appeals to them to be part of. The board members will decide the running of the guild, no voting what to do by members which will cause bad feelings. No one is Boss, a President will keep the meeting flowing smoothly. Dues should be high enough from members to cover the basic expenses. A good website or Facebook guild page to read the newsletter and see pictures of Show and Tell from each meeting. I have left several guilds due to cheapskates, computer phobias, and tired programs. The guild I am in now is perfect for me. Over 100 members and everyone gets along!

Jane Quilter

I did not join a guild, because I dont have the time or schedule flexibility to contribute. But our LQS started a hand sewing club (you were not allowed to bring machines). And we started each making a Dear Jane. It was the best club around, we moved from Dear Jane to Applique.....funny hand quilting never caught on. But we loved show and tell, the encouragement, and the ability to shop once a month for more fabric. The LQS closed and most of us dispirsed. My 2 daughters bought homes/farms on both sides of Hubby and Me. So my days are now filled with grandchildren and family. So, guess what, this forum is my new place to see what others are doing, and a place to ask questions. I was not prepared for all the support and kindness that abounds here. You guys are the greatest.

cjsews

I belong to a great guild. We have different programs. Some months classes by members. Sometimes classes by known teachers. Other times we just have a sit n sew. Always have show and tell. Encouragement is for all levels of quilters. That is what we are there for. To encourage and assist anyone that takes an interest in this fabulous art. Not all guilds are equal. You just have to try them out and find the one that fits you. And I hope you can find that special place

sewbizgirl

My group isn't a "guild" but rather a charity quilting group funded by the local Baptist church. Minimally funded. Mostly we make quilts out of our own stashes and fabrics that have been donated to us. The church buys some batting and lets us take the vans to quilt shows and shop hops. The group has dozens of members but only about 15 actually participate regularly. We make quilts for chemo and transplant patients, and children in hospitals and group homes. It's wonderfully rewarding.

We have two meetings a month and show and tell... you can bring your personal stuff as well as donations. No charge to join, you just have to be willing to donate at least 3 quilts a year. Most of us do at least ten times that many. Four times a year we have a "Quiltathon" where we all work on a project together for most of a Saturday. I am so happy to have found these ladies and have a great local group to share my love of quilting with. No clicks, just friendliness.

quiltingshorttimer

I belong to 2 guilds--my local, large general guild--we have lots of charity opportunities, monthly meetings (day & repeated at night), programs at all meetings, almost monthly workshops--usually taught by members but sometimes big names, an annual show, activities to introduce sewing to kids, beginner classes free for the membership (our other workshops are usually free or minimum fee) and just a great group. We are also one of 15 guilds that organize a huge regional show in the KC area. My machine quilters guild is mostly long arm quilters, but there are others in the guild too--we meet quarterly and have a charity project once a year. the focus is only on the machine quilting--the programs are mostly big name quilters (Dusty Farrell, Pat Barry, Angela Walters, Kris Viera, Janet Stone, etc) and very helpful--probably about half are professional quilters and all are very helpful to each other.

With any guild, the more you contribute and attend meetings, the more you get from the group. Go for it!

Claire123

I belong to a quilting guild and really feel I get a lot out of it. It is a great way to meet wonderful people, have fun and advance your quilting skills. There are many activities going on - you could not possibly participate in everything.

Jordan

I joined a guild for just one year and felt like an outsider. Everyone had established friendships and had their tables to sit at already made. I had just moved to this town so was looking for people with the same quilting interests and some social time. The guild did not work for me but eventually I have met about 6 ladies with quilting interests and we meet every Monday in one of our houses. We rotate who will host and we have so much fun. The ladies give opinions and advice if asked and we have show and tell too. All in all we just meet to sew together and have laughs and tons of fun.

tessagin

I was invited to a guild potluck for introducing new members. When I left after some snide remarks, I knew it wasn't a place I wanted to be.