Originally Posted by Ruby the Quilter
Wondering what the benefits are of being part of a guild. There are several quilting guilds here. I have thought about attending a meeting and checking them out. What should I look for and what questions should I ask? Is this something that will take a lot of time?
Ruby the Quilter
Decide what you want out of it and than start checking them out and find one that suits your needs.
I made the mistake last summer of attending one after a friend invited me to do so and than about 3 months into it I realized they did not offer what I needed.
I did not take the time to ask them to read their constitution and by-laws, what they offered, etc. and wish I had. I ended up leaving them.
I got smart and started visiting other guilds in neighboring areas and found one that suited me.
At the first visit they gave me a welcome letter and info as a guest and also a copy of their constitution and by-laws. Someone immediately took me under there wing so to speak and invited me to join there sew group on Wednesdays which is outside of the monthly quilt guild. The next month I went back and joined that guild and I've never regretted it.
They are very professional in how they manage the guild of about 36 members and growing and have alot to offer there members. After our monthly meeting at the library we go to lunch and than meet at a church for a "sew after" if we chose to be a part of it. During the month as I mentioned above many break up into small groups and meet at each others house and sew, quilt, embroider, applique, fabric paint, whatever they want to do.
This group is also very good about teaching new folks that may have neve sewed or quilted the ropes and pair you up with someone who has similar interest as you do.
It's hard to tell you what to look for. Best thing is for you to decide what it is you want out of it and ask them if they offer what you are looking for.
Our monthly meetings are the second Tuesday of each month and they meet in the morning at the library and again that night for those who are unable to attend during the morning session.
They also have members who teach us something each month at the meeting. After the business part of it is done the person who has volunteered to teach does so and than we also have a show and tell of what we have done the previous month.