I got involved with a quilting group when I worked in another state by asking people I worked with about guilds in the area. I found the local quilting group online, too. I tend to go do things by myself.... don't need a friend to go with me..... I made friends in the group and have since moved away. I still keep in touch with them..
I think going to classes at a local quilt shop will help you make contacts, too. The local shop here has an open quilting session where people just show up and work on a project. Reach out..... there are quilters everywhere and they love have having others to quilt with.... This site is very helpful but sometimes you just want to 'see' in person how something is done.
Good luck... let us know how things are going.