quilt guild etiquette
 

I joined a quilt guild and was wondering what is the etiquette for bringing your own quilts to show off in show and tell? Should you wait until you have been a member for a while or can you do it on your 2nd meeting? I have 2 quilts that haven't been delivered yet and I was thinking I could take them to the meeting Monday while I still have them. Also since one of the reasons I joined was to help grow my business shouldn't I be taking something to every meeting?
Vicki

Take them to ANY meeting. Show and Tell is for everyone whenever they want to show something. We love theshow and tell part of our program every month. Gives us lots of new ideas and a chance to admire the work of others!

Unless your guild has published "rules," I'd say it's up to you. From a personal viewpoint, though, I hesitate to show quilts I've quilted for someone else. I'll gladly share anything I've made myself, but not something made by another quilter. I'm not saying it shouldn't be done - it's just that I'm not comfortable doing so. I would suggest that if you do take quilts that you've quilted, you should get permission from the quilt maker to show it, particularly if they live in the area. They may not want the rest of the world to see their finished project before they do!

Thanks for that insight, these are actually quilts that were pieced by me not someone else. I agree I would need their permission to show their quilts.

I belong to 2 guilds and we don't have any rules about Show & Tell. We all just love to see whatever members bring. Certainly take your quilts.

Of course you should show them!

If you are new to the guild, showing you quilts will let everyone know, that you really want to be a member by taking part in one of their activities. Its a great way to "break the ice" and be part of the group. Show and tell in our guild is one of the highlights of the meeting, and gives each member a chance to speak and gives everyone else a chance to get to know who she is through her quilting.

Yes, bring them. It is a great way to start conversations and meet the guild members. My first show and tell was great. After the S&T anyone who was interested in looking closer at the quilt and ask questions and v-v was really cool. A great way to see how others work and learn new tips and techniques. Best is the friends you make along the way.
peace

I agree, if it's YOUR quilt, bring it to the meeting, whether it's your 1st meeting or the 50th. We're always happy to see quilts, even from visitors, maybe especially from visitors.

However I agree with EIQuilter that the quilts you've quilted for others shouldn't be taken to guild meetings. (And I realize this isn't what you were asking about, but her comment got me thinking along those lines.) For one thing, those quilts probably aren't finished (bound) yet, so they won't show to their best advantage. Even if you get the owner's permission, it creates problems. Other quilters may hesitate to bring their quilts to you, thinking that you will be carting them around to guild meetings before returning them, or that there will be hurt feelings if you ask for permission to show them and they say no. Best to keep it entirely professional.

I totally agree with dunster and EIQuilter about never showing quilts that you've quilted for others, for pay or not. I 'fired' my first longarmer because, without asking permission, she posted photos of my original design quilt on her website in a gallery titled 'quilts I have done'. I was furious. If it's your own personal quilt, go for it!