HI Chris....being a male quilter I have been looked at oddly but I seem to just but right in and force them to help me if I need help. My wife and I have an in-home quilting business and I have been quilting for over 15 yrs. I make tops she does the quilting machine and I do the bindings. I belong to a quilting guild and the women have been pretty astonished that I seem to do better work or just as good as they do..the woman who heads our guild teaches free classes at our library. After seeeing my work and watching me work she has asked me to teach some classes that she could learn from me...so keep on trying and don't get discouraged, when you want something bad enough you have to persist. I don't get a cold shoulder from LQS in my area, if I did I'd probably ignore it. I love this board and spend way too much time here..Time I need to be quilting lol...Good Luck to you, Chris I wish you were a bit closer I'd sure help you I have taught many to quilt here in my home. I am 35 miles south east of Louisville, Kentucky, but I know that still probably too far from you.