I procrastinated about joining ever since I got interested in quilting about 4 years ago.
I felt if I had $25 (annual fee), I would rather use it for fabric. I had alot of books and patterns downloaded from the internet. Why did I need to join a guild?
Then, in January this year, I decided to join. Wow! I should have joined years ago!
The first meeting I came home inspired in 3 styles of quilts or new techniques. Not only from the speaker, but from the member show and tell. It has been the same each meeting.
One thing I noticed that first meeting, and each meeting since, is that whether we are talking the national speaker's quilts, the professional longarm quilter's quilt, or the great-gramma, who hand quilts wobbly seamed little doll quilts that are just simple little squares all the same size - each one is oooohed and aaaaahed over. Each one is grabbed for on the way back to their seat, wanting a closer inspection of fabrics, colors, blocks, quilting - something.
Each person is praised (not like it is in the unwritten rules somewhere, but an honest appreciation), and each person comes away encouraged and inspired.
Also, the guild uses the speakers to teach classes (outside the time of the regular monthly meeting). True, there is a fee for this - but it is more than worth it! I took a class with John Flynn, and felt I learned so much, not only from the teacher (who was fantastic by the way), but from the other class participants too. I felt I now have someone I can show small issues to and ask for advice of those other class members.
Since I have joined this chat group, I feel it is sort of the same. Good friends meeting, and sharing, and rejoycing, and getting jealous of! But, it is not ever a judgement, a put down, a superiority thing. It is just great friends together.
Over the summer the guild doesn't meet, and I have been having serious withdrawls! I can hardly wait for September to come.
One other thing our guild does, is it has several small groups that meet once a month to work on individual projects and just chat over coffee. I joined one of these groups a couple of weeks ago, and it was wonderful to feel a part of a bunch of friends.
My advise is to join a guild. From my experience they are a great way to learn, share, become inspired and just have fun! Good luck finding a guild near you.