I am in my mid 40s and have never even attempted to join the local quilt groups as they always schedule the meetings Monday thru Friday between 9 and 5! Sadly I need my day job to support my quilting habit!
I have signed up for classes and thankfully have a very willing partner in my mother in law! She is also my only sewing buddy as none of my other friends sew. They are veery supportive if my quilting though.
the ladies at the classes were either clique-y or there alone so we tend to talk to the ones that are there alone and ignore the ones that seem uninviting. I can honestly say it was not an age thing since my MIL is older than I am and they didn't seem very welcoming to her either. Hang in there and don't give up your quilting for anyone!
The one person who has not been supportive of my quilting hobby was my sister who once told me that I needed to find a more "age appropriate" passtime... ? Have not figured out what that means yet!