I had a bad experience with a local quilt guild as well. The sad thing is that there are less than a dozen out of the 150+ members who believed they were superior to anyone else, but they could sure make it miserable for those they were attacking. They were critical and condescending to beginners like myself. I was informed they were "Master Seamstresses!" Several were retired Home Ec teachers, local extension agents or lifetime quilters. They may well be superior to most, but I was a beginner who just wanted to learn everything I could about this new artform I had fallen in love with. I had high hopes to learn so much from talented experienced quilters. My enthusiasm was quickly smothered, and it was over a year before I could even look at a sewing machine again. I find it sad that adult women behave so ugly and cruelly toward others. How cruel to sit in the back of the room and negatively critique, giggle and make fun of someone's show and share! Wasn't worth it to me. I quit and haven't been back since. I found a smaller guild of less than 40 in a close by community. Totally different atmosphere there.