I think $12/week if excessive. I think you need to learn more about why the amount is so high. I belonged to a large quilt guild for several years and the dues were $17/yr., but that included guest speakers, like well known quilt teachers. If you took a class after the meeting with that teacher there might be another small fee, $5 if I remember correctly. If you were a guest when they had a guest speaker, you would pay $5, but members did not have to pay that. I think I would check around about other quilting groups or even start one of your own.