I was invited to join a Wednesday afternoon quilting group a year ago but was never able to attend as I worked full time. All that changed in October when I was laid off. Meeting every Wed afternoon to sit & sew has been a life line for me. I've met some absolutely wonderful women.
When I first joined, the group coordinator sent me an email with the "rules" - basically they were: we don't discuss politics or religion. That really seems to help keep the peace.
We do meet in a church basement and each session everyone puts in $1 that goes to the church. Everyone works on her own project. Everyone brings her own lunch (we meet 12-3) and sometimes people bring treats to share - but it's not required.
I'm actively looking for another job, but will miss my Wed afternoon "sewing with the ladies" when I start working again.
Sewing bees are still around because they do fulfill a social need - I would recommend restarting but with rules and a different format. Your friends (at least the true ones) will want to help and will support the new format.