Hi dunster,
I have one living family member who still quilts (she lives on the other side of Canada) and one person I know who is just an acquaintance I could ask questions, but no one I could just pick up a phone and get answers from asap. Everyone is so busy or working, etc. I have seen, from going into a couple of the (smaller) local quilt/fabric stores in my area of Niagara region, Ontario, that the women who run the stores are so pleased to see new blood taking up this art form. It's like being welcomed into someone's family with no questions asked, no judgements. (one woman gave me a hug!) I've also had some kind of negative experiences in bigger stores where they just don't seem to care for my questions or are not happy I had to bring my young boys shopping with me. I know the 'stink-eye' when I see it.
That's why, for me, a forum like this in invaluable.... some of those 21 million quilters are on here!
And I have to add - you quilters in the States are so lucky to have access to such amazing fabric selections. I have to order most of what I love thru Etsy. Even with major Canadian cities fairly close to me, I still can't find Tula Pink or Kate Spain, Sandi Hendersen (Secret Garden I'm using in this rag quilt), etc. Maybe one or two pieces in a collection, but not the whole thing. And fabric is so much more expensive up here. Very frustrating.