Attitudes towards young quilters
#31
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: England Alton Towers
Posts: 6,673
I think this is true or many people from 20 to 90. Quilt groups seem to be very clickey. Certain people know each other and make a beeline for each other or come together. When you are not pushy individual then you have trouble mixing in these groups. Just think you are there for the speaker to learn the chat comes in time when your ace be omes more familiar. Offer to make tea or drink. This way you meet early every one and they all have to alk to you.
#32
PLEASE dont give up! I am in 3 groups at the moment. One group I stopped going going to due to family time conflicts and I just didnt' feel like I clicked with that group. That was more MY fault than theirs as I was not there consistently and didnt' have the time to devote to the the projects they were doing. One of the groups I started. Being an former AF brat, I talk to EVERYONE (just ask my family! You never know when you will have to up and move, so you BETTER make friends QUICK! lol) I would meet someone at the quilt shop or even in a coffee shop if I was working on a binding. You never know where you will meet someone who quilts! (Ask me how I know!!) If you find some one you DO click with, ask them if they know a welcoming group. There are alot of groups out there that are not guild related, so don't count that out either. ONly one of mine is a guild group. There are pros and cons on both sides.
Finally, you might search your area on this group and see if there are any quilters from around you that are members here. You might be able to start a local Quilting board group. (PS WOMEN are sometimes hard nuts to crack! I have been known to coccoon in my sewing room to be alone. Don't let a few crabby ones force you to quilt alone all the time.)
Finally, you might search your area on this group and see if there are any quilters from around you that are members here. You might be able to start a local Quilting board group. (PS WOMEN are sometimes hard nuts to crack! I have been known to coccoon in my sewing room to be alone. Don't let a few crabby ones force you to quilt alone all the time.)
#33
I have no plans on giving up. That was never an option. I love it far too much.
Chiclet - I've gotten the whole "age appropriate" thing many times. I'm a history lover/ student so I enjoy going to antique store and listening to really old music (plus of bunch of other things). I love to knit and crochet. I also ballroom dance and that has sometimes that's been thought of as something "only old people do". And then I quilt. I've had people my age tell me I act like an old lady. And I'm honestly ok with that. haha
I have yet to find a quilter my own age. The closest I've met face to face to is a women who had to be in her late 20s, early 30s (and I only met her once). You think it would be easy finding at least one person in a university full of people who quilts.
Chiclet - I've gotten the whole "age appropriate" thing many times. I'm a history lover/ student so I enjoy going to antique store and listening to really old music (plus of bunch of other things). I love to knit and crochet. I also ballroom dance and that has sometimes that's been thought of as something "only old people do". And then I quilt. I've had people my age tell me I act like an old lady. And I'm honestly ok with that. haha
I have yet to find a quilter my own age. The closest I've met face to face to is a women who had to be in her late 20s, early 30s (and I only met her once). You think it would be easy finding at least one person in a university full of people who quilts.
#34
Like everyone else has said... do not give up on finding a group that "fits".
I'm fairly new to quilting and have found part of the process is being with other quilters. While internet groups are wonderful, it's also good to have face to face quilting friends.
I expressed an interest in learning handquilting to a friend and was invited to join a group that that's their main focus. First time I go, I'm told in no uncertain terms "we are a strict hand-quilting only group". I'm sittin' there thinking, whoa this isn't the place for me. As I want to learn all techniques. Then, low and behold, a couple pull me aside and say.. that's not true. As I sit and do my thing, listening to the various conversations I quickly learned who was open minded and who wasn't. Still, I enjoy being with this group (the one crumudgen is a lesson in patience for me).
So consider starting your own group, but do not give up on time with other quilters.
I'm fairly new to quilting and have found part of the process is being with other quilters. While internet groups are wonderful, it's also good to have face to face quilting friends.
I expressed an interest in learning handquilting to a friend and was invited to join a group that that's their main focus. First time I go, I'm told in no uncertain terms "we are a strict hand-quilting only group". I'm sittin' there thinking, whoa this isn't the place for me. As I want to learn all techniques. Then, low and behold, a couple pull me aside and say.. that's not true. As I sit and do my thing, listening to the various conversations I quickly learned who was open minded and who wasn't. Still, I enjoy being with this group (the one crumudgen is a lesson in patience for me).
So consider starting your own group, but do not give up on time with other quilters.
#36
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: howell, Mi
Posts: 2,345
I don't think it is your age. It's been a long time since I was a young quilter, but I still feel like an outsider sometimes. It seems like forming new friendships gets harder as time goes on. I don't have a lot of quilting friends, 2 to be exact, but that doesn't stop me. I don't mind quilting alone at home, so that's what I do. Keep it up and enjoy the journey.
Sue
Sue
#37
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,165
If it is your age - it's probably not your quilting capabilities, it's your life experience! If you are not married, don't have kids or grandkids, then you don't have the experience to discuss what they are interested in besides quilts!
I have the same problem - I'm simply not interested in life experience, find most of the conversation to be gossip.
I'd rather argue about rooting a cell phone, technology, astronomy, cars, than family and life. Since I won't gossip or communicate any personal stuff, I don't bond.
I have the same problem - I'm simply not interested in life experience, find most of the conversation to be gossip.
I'd rather argue about rooting a cell phone, technology, astronomy, cars, than family and life. Since I won't gossip or communicate any personal stuff, I don't bond.
#39
Totally agree here. In our town we have a guild too, and as a new quilter I was hoping to learn from this group of women. I was close to 40, but my age wasn't the problem. It was because I was new. They were not interested in helping a newbie nor were they accepting of newcomers. I quilt going too, because I didn't feel welcome. I kept searching for help in other ways, and here I am six years later still quilting! Don't give up, there are many online groups (like this one) who are very excepting.
#40
MissSongbird, I am glad there are young quilters!! I am glad you are not going to let the attitudes of the ladies of the guilds keep you from quilting. I was going to suggest you might sign up for a guild workshop or project, but it sounds like you have already done that. If you really want to become part of the group, you might consider being an officer. That would get you involved more. (Not speaking from experience...from observation. )
Anyway, you always have us! I get pleasant vives every time I am on here....and that is a lot!!
Dina
Anyway, you always have us! I get pleasant vives every time I am on here....and that is a lot!!
Dina
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post