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I completely get what you are saying. My first few groups I tried to join weren't accepting, and in college I was "the weird girl who sews." I started out in the college costume shop ( I got spoiled learning to do piecing with 3 berninas at my disposal) with basic sewing, and then met one of the fraternity housemothers who quilted. I didn't meet someone my own age who quilted for several years. My first online group experience was a nightmare, and I didn't reach out again online until I joined this board last year, at the urging of my quilt guild president. The ladies in my IRL group are great, and now we have a lady in the guild who is younger than me, as well as a few my age, although the vast majority are older. Keep searching until you find a group that works!
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Yes, I agree it's more that you are a newcomer than that you are young. Either way tho, it stinks to be treated like an outsider. Just skip those groups and stick with the ones who are nice and welcoming, and/or do your own thing at home.
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To bad people have to react in such a manner.I know for my self I never said very much at our gatherings,because I didnt feel I had any in put being I was new at quilting.there could be may reasons why people are the way they are.We miss out on a lot,I find most quilters are warm and welcoming.some peopl just dont know what they are missing. keep on quilting
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Some people have a hard time accepting new people regardless of age. I'm 33 now and I've been sewing and quilting for as long as I can remember. I don't go to classes or sewing groups, I just have fun at home. There is so much you can learn on the internet also on here. If you ever have questions or need help with something. Don't be afraid to ask. There are more younger people that are starting to learn crafts. There is a girl I work with that just learned how to crochet so she wasn't bored sitting with me at lunch. Everyday, we get comments about us crocheting(she is 23yrs old). Sometimes they are nice and sometimes not. I don't let anyone bring me down. I have fun and that's what matters. We even had a maintenance guy(older guy too)come over and crochet a little bit on one of our projects. He was proud. :)
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I'm sorry you had so many bad experiences with older quilters......I think it's awesome that younger people are wanting to quilt again......I really thought for a while that it may become a dying art. Keep up the good work and bust through
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Ive been approached by younger quilters, i tell them to call me, let me whats good for them and well get together. Sometimes they call back, sometimes they dont. Imvery friendly and have friends in all age groups.
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As a slight variation on the topic, I am in my mid-thirties (but look early 20s, which has pros and cons! LOL) and work at a quilting shop. I have lost count of the number of customers - the vast majority of which are decades older than me - who assume that I know nothing about quilting and demand, rudely, to speak to someone who "knows what they are talking about". Umm, I've been quilting for over 15 years. My colleague may have white hair but she does not have even half the experience (and therefore I would like to think, the knowledge) that I have.
So that is definitely an age thing. I have tried quilting groups and the like, but come to the conclusion that I am better doing my own thing. Quite simply I have very little in common with the majority of the women in these groups - there's quilting of course, but the "off-topic" conversation is hard going. No-one's fault, just different stages in life. |
Originally Posted by Sierra
(Post 5753532)
Patti25314, I have had similar .....
When I show a quilt at a guild that I joined last year the reception is flat. They are looking for things they might want to do and what I have isn't what they have even thought about. I did one quilt that had 3 men say "WOW" when they saw it here at home and when I showed it to the group they hardly quit talking to one another to look at it. They simply don't see it as a quilt and they don't understand it. That's OK. Not my dream group but that's OK too. They are nice people and I want that connection. Do your thing. Try another group if the one you're in is getting painful. Snoop around and see if you can find other quilters who would like a smaller, more initimate and supportive group. I found 4 other gals using this quilt board and we have been meeting for 2 years now. They are really supportive, each strong in a different area (all strong, better quilters than I am) and each supportive and willing to make suggestions. I even have a pen pal from QB and we have helped each other with ideas when we get into a corner and can't figure out how to make something wimpy shine. We celebrate each other's quilts. It's very up-lifting. Keep trying! many great point of view here. But all i have to say, it is not your age it is people in general. Just dont let those negative ones discourage you. So sad quilt of valor sew together are like that. Are they not suppose to be doing something nice for a good cause and hypocritically turning around and being mean? I would be a bit confused too. QB secret pal sounds like a good idea. I will look into it. Maybe i will be partnered up with a young one . Lol |
I am sorry you have had such a bad experience. I for one love young folks. Just keep doing your quilting and maybe you could start your own guild for people under 25 or something. People look at me strange because I have been sewing and quilting most of my life and I still cannot turn out a quilt as nice as the ones on this board.
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Originally Posted by JulieR
(Post 5753387)
Definitely don't give up -- maybe you could start a group of your own!
As M.Elizabeth said, some people are just obnoxious in general. Maybe some others think you'll get bored and stop soon because when they were you age, they would have. Maybe they just don't think they have anything in common with you. And then we're back to obnoxious. Keep looking for the right group, or create one yourself. I bet you aren't the only person in your area to feel this way! |
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