Quiltaddiction

Well you know I had much the same experience with the first LQS I went to for classes. I felt uncomfortable (I'm in my fifties) but being the person I am I went out of my way to welcome new people that came along and soon the other quilters started to warm to me. Unfortunately the LQS has cut down on the classes and so I went to another shop who from the moment I worked in made me feel welcome. The shop owners are completely different personalities and I think that has had an impression on the students. The new shop even has classes for young ones and it is so nice to see young girls 12 and up making quilts and garments and making them really well and with such passion for what they are doing. It's a joy to be in that enviroment.

QuiltingByCourtney

Im 27, keep your chin up! keep quilting! on this board everyone is amazing! I am not in any groups but once I joined this board its all the group I need! the people on this board are soo helpful and nice, they will give advise and support! its wonderful, but I do hear you when you are the youngest in the room haha...sometimes my friends joke about my quilting but when they see my work its always "wow, you really do a great job, make me one one day!" hahah...happy quilting!

quiltjoey

I'm sorry, MissSongBird and Dolphyngrl, that you both have had those experiences. Some of the quilting groups are hard for "new" people to enter. And age doesn't really matter. When I first started my quilting journey about 5 or so years ago, I encountered some of the some experiences with younger, same age, and older ladies in different groups. I was actually laughed at on 2 separated occasions. I am 69 1/2 years old, so age doesn't matter. It reminds me of being in middle and high school and the "mean girls" attitudes sometimes. At first, it bothered me but now I realize how some women tend to stay in the "insecurity stages of adolescence" and never mature to reach out to others fully. I think it has to do mostly with trust issues in their past. My advice is for you to just keep quilting and don't let anything sway your confidence. Before you know it, you will become the "older" ladies and there will "youngins" that will need your help, guidance, and encouragement. I am in a wonderful Quilting Guild now and always enjoy going to the meetings. We all have a tendency to stay with what is comfortable to us and some people just have a harder time reaching out. I don't think it is you. You are next generation of quilters and the art needs young people like you to continue on. Please look for and find a group that you feel comfortable with for I believe there is one out there for you. With kindest regards,
JoAnn

janedee

I find that very sad that you feel uncomfortable in the quilt group - but I'm not so sure its just an age thing just that its hard to break into an established group I have been going to one now for over a year and still only a few of the members talk to me properly but I'll keep going in the hope that the rest will accept me at some time!!!

MargeD

I'm sorry that you've had such bad experiences along the way, but be proud that you haven't been discouraged and are still quilting and finding alternatives. I have had some of the same experiences, but I was a lot older than you. However, I would find 1 or 2 people who accepted me and let it grow from there. Don't get discouraged. I once joined a local quilt guild, was welcomed by most of the women there, in fact I even served as president for 2 years, but I have to say there were certain cliques that did not welcome new people. Keep quilting, keep searching and you will find a great group of quilters who welcome you with open arms.

topstitch

What a shame!. But remember this, people who ignore you are probably doing so because of their own lack of self confidence. You probably still have a full head of hair (chin hair does not count), you probable still have your own teeth and you probable do not have body parts that drag the ground ----- and then too, some of these people are just plain twits. And the next time you are given busy work speak up and say you have done your share of this type of work and would like to move on.

Daisy Dew

Does your story ever mimic mine! I didn't come from a family of quilters but at age 19 I struck out on my own now this was in 1965 - so I'm your granny! Isn't it funny - I have also found that if you do not come from a long family history of quilting there is a bit of a stand offish-ness. What is this! It reminds me of 3rd grade playground bullies. Can you believe I owned a quilt shop - loved loved loved it I'm now retired. I always catered to the young-uns. I taught several "home schooled" kids we always had a great time and I had 4-H girls take their projects to the state fair. There were times I'd be helping one of the girls pick fabric and I actually had the older group resent this. However I'm of the belief "train up a child in the way they should go - and when they are old they will not depart from it" and that works in all areas of life. As I have retired and moved to the sunshine state I visited the local quilt club and boy what a turn off. So my dear age has nothing to do with it just remember 3rd grade, smile and keep creating! My dear "quilt buddy" died a couple years ago - she was a long arm-er before it became popular and she faced the same shunning - do you think it may have something to do with the green eyed monster? Mmmm.

sewnsewer2

I'm sorry you weren't made to feel part of the groups. To me it doesn't matter your age, we all started at the same place... the beginning, no matter our age. In time you will be a seasoned quilter and more than willing to help the younger crowd of new quilters. DON'T GIVE UP!!!!!!

Many people can't even sew on a button and sewing/quilting is a great skill to learn. We (borad members) will help you all we can, just know you are welcome HERE and will not be judged.

BTW, would love to see some of your quilts!

twinkie

I have found that the ladies on this board have been super nice. Young or old, People are individuals. You just can't make some people be nice. I don't know if it is a superior attitude or a secret society syndrom or what. But, all in all, the members on the board are just SUPER. Perhaps you can find someone on the board who lives in your area or close to you so that the two of you can meet in the middle or start a quilt retreat. Good Luck Just think, you could be an old lady (70) who just started quilting a few years ago. Everyone expects the old to be smart about quilting. NOT

cactusmomma

I wonder if it is your age? I was in my late 60's and joined a Thimbleberris group. MY first quilt I'd ever made. It was an "established" group and I never could "fit in." When that particular quilt was finished, I never went back. The main leader was very nice but the other two were not at all friendly and there were definitely "clicks". I'd hoped to learn but found myself once again being self taught. So, not sure it was your age. Don't give up. I moved and now I do not have a quilt shop close enough to try again and after that experience, not sure I want to.