I am going to visit a quilt guild in my area on Monday night. It meets twice a month. I just started quilting a few months ago and I am hungry for anything quilt related.

What are your experiences with guilds?

Just started going to our local one that meets once a month and haven't joined yet, but I am going to soon. Go a couple of times to see if you like it and if they are nice. The local one here was very nice and made me feel welcome.

I'm shy in social situations and didn't feel welcomed at either guild I visited. Probably because of my own personality, but I'd rather quilt at home alone.

Sorry to say that I have not had a good experience with our local guild. The people are in little cliques and really don't want newcomers. I attended for 2 years and tried hard to become part of the group, I even went on 2 trips with them. Then at the next meeting, it was like nobody knew who I was. I quit the guild and now quilt on my own. Their loss. This group here is my guild.

I have been to 6 different guilds. Some of them pretty good size. They're all very welcoming. Today I'm taking an all day class from Linda Everhart. Her website, <http://www.quiltingamongfriends.com/>

I'm also fairly new to the area and a big part of the reason I took this class is to have a chance to get to know people in the guild.

I've been a member of my local guild for close to 15 years. While there are cliques, I have never been made to feel unwelcome. I've found that you have to get involved in order to get to know some of the people.

Our guild has monthly meetings with a range of speakers, from nationally known to local quilters. We also have BOM and charm square exchanges, a yearly challenge, community service projects, retreats, workshops, demonstrations, and (my favorite) show & tell. Every other year we hold a quilt show. Becoming involved in committees or activities allows me opportunities to work and become acquainted with members I might not otherwise get to know.

Of course, there are some who attend purely for their own entertainment and wouldn't dream of being friendly or helping someone else out. But the benefits I receive and friendships I make far outweigh any negativity.

I've only been in 1 guild and for the most part it has been a very good experience. I joined when I first began quilting and had no idea what the monthly guild meetings and members would be like, thought we would sit around sewing instead of having a business meeting, show and tell, refreshments and then a guest speaker or special program.

Volunteered to be on the Nomination Committe and when I went to its first meeting realized I couldn't nominate anyone as I didn't know any guild members. Outcome was that the committe talked me into taking one the positions, think it was membership. Have to say that is how I've got to know some members and they got to know who I was, no best friends but several good quilting friends. Another way to get friendly is to join one of the guild's small groups. They usually are about 6-10 quilters who get togther in each others homes for a special quilting technique, applique, hand quilting, beading, beginners, etc. Wish you luck with your guild.

I like my quilt guild in Waco Texas. they really involve you in a lot of different projects and I meet with some of the ladies as a quilting bee. that is really fun as well. we sew and talk in the bee and learn new stuff. good luck. you will enjoy it.

I was wondering the same thing. I am going to my first meeting tonight. I am both excited and apprehensive about it....but looking forward to going. Have fun at yours. :)

i am in 3 guilds and i'm happy with them all but i can understand when people say that some guilds have cliques.

all of the guilds i go to have cliques but i didn't join any of them looking to make friends so it doesn't bother me one bit.

everyone is polite and thats all you can ask for.

one guild i joined because of their outreach program in the womens prison. we cut fabric to help expecting mothers make baby quilts for their upcoming birth. we go to the prison with our pre-cut quilt kit and teach them how to put it together.

this guild does not do any classes.

the other local guild i joined does a large scale show every year that draws in huge crowds and i joined solely to do the shows, get my name out as an artist, and sell my works.

the final guild i joined was because they have large assets and can bring in nationally known quilt artists for classes.

i never joined any of these places looking to find friends.