I quilt at a local quilt shop on Wednesday's with a large group of ladies. We don't pay a regular fee, but we do shop while we are there. I am pretty sure that we spend more than it costs her for the lights, etc. that would already be on. If I had to pay to sit and quilt and help with some of her customers, I would probably stay home. I thought about joining a guild in our area when they expanded from a nearby town, but they were pretty unfriendly. I don't think they really wanted new members as much as they said they did. Went several times and even signed up for a couple of smaller groups, but never heard from them and not even one of them even took the time to say hello or welcome. I am much happier with my group of friends at the local quilt shop - we have a great time and I would say we are all best friends to each other.