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I pretty much agree with what everyone has already posted. In my experience it has more to do with being new rather than age. At least that has been my experience. Maybe you can find a friend close to your age that wants to learn to quilt and start a group of your own. Or, the other option is bring a friend with you to the events. You'll be surprised how things change when you're not just on your own!
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Its not your age...don't feel alone...I stopped going too....its that they already have their quilting buddies....
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Patti25314, I have had similar experiences and I'm in my 70s! I don't do "block quilts, can't follow patterns (seems like there is a term I don't know, or two interpretations of things...) it just doesn't work for me. To make 60 or 120 blocks of the same pattern is something I can't/wont' do. So I let designs develop; let the fabrics direct me; do what seems to come next, keep the intended owner in mind. Happily my kids and Gkids all really like my quilts and I always have a list of quilts that have been requested. My skills are poor (I have pretty bad arthritis) but each quilt is for someone who wants it. Yes, I do quilts for shelters and church drives and I just presume that the fact that I tried to make them pretty and that they are warm will make them well received. (Wish I could meet some of the people who have my quilts!). Some relatives simply don't want home made quilts, and that's OK. Others say, "When do I get mine!?" I've had extended relatives tell me exactly what theme and colors they like. So far, within the year they have a new quilt. Love them all.
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! |
Like most groups, people have their little cliques and are not always ready to welcome newcomers no matter their age. It is nice to have a group to quilt with in person but you have the next best thing, us.
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Don't give up. I to feel that it has more to do with being new to the group more than age. I am 60 and do not belong to any groups for this reason. I guess I do my best work alone. Would be fun to belong to a group but not fun to get involved in the politics and petty coat wars!!!
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keep persisting keep looking---look around there is very little mixing of generations in normal life so in quilting it may reflect this --but quilting will eventully win out ---i found asking advice makes people feel wanted +good try the simple lines of communication--but if they show no warmth move on
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I have found that the quilters seem to not want someone who does things differently. As Sierra said, they don't appreciate quilts that do not have a label, that they don't recognize the pattern name; if a quilt hasn't been made before in some version they do not seem to be very interested in someone who can design it and make it. There are a lot of "quilt police" out there that don't like people who are new, young, different, and who always think outside the box when defining and making a quilt.
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I am 64 and I love being around young women who are either just learning to quilt or have been doing it for awhile. Their enthusiasm inspires me, and the newbies are so hungry to learn everything they can. About 30 years ago when I first moved to In. I was like you, looking for a group of Quilters, I joined 2 different Guilds, with much the same out come as you. Finally I joined a group at our LQS and I loved it, there were women of all ages. Like some of the others said, start your own group, we need you young people to keep the art of quilting alive. We're not going to live forever!
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Sorry you have that 'stuff' going on in the QOV group. Keep in mind, though, that there are cliques of people in every walk of life. Quilters are no exception. I belong to two groups and both have very different group personalities. One is more social, the other is social and more active with charity quilting and classes. You just need to find the right group or groups for you!
Keep quilting! |
Me, too! My then 7 year old niece picked two fabrics that I didn't feel went well for her first quilt. It was a big 4 patch, a cat fabric and a pink zebra stripe. I gave gentle direction, but she persisted with her choice.
In the end, she was right! The quilt was very striking! I loved it! She taught me a lesson that I won't forget that day! |
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