I am a loner; none of my good friends makes quilts, although they kindly indulge me when I rattle on about quilting projects. One of those friends does machine embroidery (as do I) so we have that in common.
I can drive at night but can't see where I'm going, so that rules out any classes or guilds that meet after sunset. I could say I'm self-taught, but in truth I've learned most of what I know from the expertise of others, internet, books and t.v., when there were good sewing and quilting shows on the air. (None in this area any more but I have lots videotaped.)
Besides the facts that I don't drive at night and that I am a social cripple, I'm leery of paying for classes, because it seems like gambling ... I'd pay my money without knowing if I'm going to win or lose. I'm more of a "sure thing" kind of gal.
I love this Quilting Board.