Ricky Timms was the speaker at the MN quilters show banquet maybe 6-8 years ago. He told the story of his quilting journey. It started with inheriting his grandmothers sewing machine. He somehow got started making a quilt. He used whatever fabrics he could find, including clothing. His first "teachers" were women offering advice when he went shopping for fabric. If I remember right, this was not at a quilt shop type store. One of them invited Ricky to a quilt group meeting. Amazing on how one person inviting another to join the family of quilters could have such a profound effect on someones life.
I think quilting and the friendships one makes in their quilting journey are unlike any others. This idea of encouraging members to connect on a one to one level are priceless.