Originally Posted by raptureready
I reread your post and you say that you really liked the woman that did this. Chances are that she really likes you to and felt at ease yelling across the parking lot to you. She probably didn't mean to cause you any distress. Speak to her about it. Be nice. Just tell her that you didn't realize that you had to pay if you didn't stay but that you wished she'd waited until the next time you came in and said something then because it really embarrassed you the way it was handled. But be nice, be understanding. She may have been having a really bad day.
Please don't drop out. Make a joke of it at the next meeting. Just laugh about there really being quilt police and that they'll chase you down for a couple of bucks.
Other people can only make you feel bad if you allow them too. By not dealing with it you'll only end up full of resentment. Just take a deep breath, hitch up your big girl britches and get it over with so that you can move on.
This is the perfect way to handle this. I've learned that most often people really don't mean to hurt or humiliate you, but if you carry the grudge & the hurt, then they hang around your neck like a big chain. Hold your head up, march right in & enjoy yourself sewing. At some point, make sure you get clarification from the owners or the clerk, regarding the issue of paying. Perhaps some of the other sewers have arranged a tab & pay monthly?