Go Back  Quiltingboard Forums >
  • Main
  • Quilt Guilds - What are your experiences? >
  • Quilt Guilds - What are your experiences?

  • Quilt Guilds - What are your experiences?

    Thread Tools
     
    Old 08-02-2011, 06:10 AM
      #11  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: Sep 2010
    Location: Jacksonville, FL
    Posts: 1,029
    Default

    Several years ago my girl friend and I walked into a quilt guild. We were treated very poorly, like we don't have any more applications to join, we over crowded as it is. Funny thing, we did not join, but her daug went on to become head of that guild and then in charge of Quilt Fest in Jacksonville for several years running...
    My friend has health issues now and I joined a newly formed quilt/crafty group at our library 3 yrs ago.
    QuiltingJaguar is offline  
    Old 08-02-2011, 06:21 AM
      #12  
    Super Member
     
    Olivia's Grammy's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Oct 2009
    Location: Fayetteville, GA
    Posts: 2,879
    Default

    I've been in 3 different Quilt Guilds and always had unpleasant experiences. I am a proud member of ASG and that's always a good experience. We have members that do different things so it's an interesting mix.
    Olivia's Grammy is offline  
    Old 08-02-2011, 06:43 AM
      #13  
    Senior Member
     
    Join Date: Jun 2011
    Location: Long Island, New York
    Posts: 996
    Default

    I like my guild. I was asked to join shortly after I began quilting. Great women and I have made many new friends.
    nyelphaba is offline  
    Old 08-02-2011, 06:48 AM
      #14  
    Super Member
     
    Jennifer22206's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Sep 2010
    Location: state of confusion
    Posts: 4,541
    Default

    I joined one guild and it was an absolutely MISERABLE experience. I went to 4 meetings and then never again. There were so many cliques, and so much backstabbing I just didn't want it.

    When I joined, I was just 22 (I'm now 28) and was told by the president of the guild that "it'll be a waste of your time here, you don't really care about quilting, you're too young." Another member of the guild told me that I'd never be as good as some members. To which I replied, "You're right, I'll be better because I'll have been quilting longer when I get to your age."

    The ladies at the show and tell were totally snobby, making snide remarks, and they really were the Quilt Police. I showed off one quilt at the second meeting (I went back because I thought the coolness of the first meeting was because I was new) and there was so much criticism I went home and cried for a few days.

    That said - THIS website is MY guild. I don't want to go anywhere else. HERE is HOME.
    Jennifer22206 is offline  
    Old 08-02-2011, 06:53 AM
      #15  
    Senior Member
     
    quilter41's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Sep 2009
    Location: N Indiana
    Posts: 518
    Default

    Terrible to say the least. To many cliques and very political. Never introduce the new people and didn't seem to want the group to grow. I would rather quilt with my friends and forget the guilds.
    quilter41 is offline  
    Old 08-02-2011, 07:01 AM
      #16  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: May 2011
    Location: Pacific NW
    Posts: 9,443
    Default

    Too political, too judgmental, too demanding. Nuts to that. Now I belong to a loosely-organized group of quilters that has no requirements, no rules, no membership.
    Peckish is offline  
    Old 08-02-2011, 07:41 AM
      #17  
    Senior Member
     
    sandybeach's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Sep 2008
    Location: Ridgecrest, CA
    Posts: 886
    Default

    Originally Posted by ShowMama
    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.
    Same with me. My sister drug me to my first meeting. I don't really have "friends" in the guild (my choice), but everyone has been very nice to me. This year I volunteered to do the "Challenge Quilt" and someone has always jumped in to help if I get stuck on something. Perhaps the LQS can pair you up with someone else who might want to join but is reluctant and you can go with her/him for the first couple of meetings. If they have a guest speaker that night you may have to pay a small ($5) fee to attend, but once you are a member ($20/year) you don't pay any fees.
    sandybeach is offline  
    Old 08-02-2011, 07:56 AM
      #18  
    Senior Member
     
    Join Date: Nov 2008
    Location: Minnesota
    Posts: 862
    Default

    There are good guilds and not so good guilds. You just have to try them on and see what fits.

    I started a guild about 15 years ago for childless quilters (i.e. women with infertility or lost a child and have no others). Most of these gals left other guilds because they would be depressed at every meeting (discussions floated around kids and grandkids, not quilting). I left 3 years later because I moved too far away, but the group continues. The group continues today and is a little larger (25), but the only rule that applies is no discussion of children, grandchildren or infertility treatments - you are there to talk quilting.

    My current 'guild' is at the local quilt shop and is mostly a sales pitch about new classes, new products and a show and tell. It's fine and stays very focused on quilting, but I'm not really getting to know other quilters as most people leave as soon as the meeting breaks.

    I was just in the process of starting a new group to meet at the local Borders store, but since those stores are closing, I'll have to rethink a meeting place. I just want to get together with a group of quilters, while we work on some hand projects, and gab about quilting outside of a quilt shop environment (I'm trying to go no-buy on fabric). So, if you find nothing that works for you, consider setting up your own little group. Nothing larger than 8. Once you have more, it becomes too complicated, IMHO.
    IAmCatOwned is offline  
    Old 08-02-2011, 07:59 AM
      #19  
    Super Member
     
    dungeonquilter's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Aug 2007
    Location: Ontario, Canada
    Posts: 1,006
    Default

    I enjoy my guild. The workshops offered are a lot less expensive than at a quilt shop, although I have taken classes there as well.
    Can always ask questions about patterns or techniques and get any help I need from other members, and we have some great ones.
    Always enjoy guest speakers and show and tell is my favourite part of the evening.
    dungeonquilter is offline  
    Old 08-02-2011, 08:02 AM
      #20  
    Super Member
     
    Gramie bj's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Dec 2010
    Location: Riverside Washington
    Posts: 1,508
    Default

    I joined a guild and love it, very friendly, lots of knowledge to draw from, everyone very willing to help a newbie. 200+ members we have retreats, classes taught by guild members and guest,work on donation quilts for several organizations, we have a quilt show in the fall, we all work on that, (its almost here!) The only drawback for me, it is a 2+hr drive for the meetings, on the good side it is once a month and they keep in touch by e-mail
    Gramie bj is offline  
    Related Topics
    Thread
    Thread Starter
    Forum
    Replies
    Last Post
    RJLinkletter
    Main
    19
    06-06-2018 02:29 PM
    quiltybarb
    General Chit-Chat (non-quilting talk)
    4
    06-05-2018 07:36 PM
    QuiltnNan
    Links and Resources
    8
    10-14-2016 10:45 AM
    Marjpf
    Main
    139
    02-21-2011 03:44 PM

    Posting Rules
    You may not post new threads
    You may not post replies
    You may not post attachments
    You may not edit your posts

    BB code is On
    Smilies are On
    [IMG] code is On
    HTML code is On
    Trackbacks are Off
    Pingbacks are Off
    Refbacks are Off



    FREE Quilting Newsletter