After about a year in a quilt guild, I clicked with a few others in the guild. And we started shopping and going to quilt shows together. Now we get together at each others homes, make lunch, sit & sew, discuss future projects, etc.
Very informal, no rules, just when we can get together.
Maybe post something in a quilt store or community center-"Interested in meeting with others interested in quilting, etc" Or take a class or 2