This sounds a lot like my guild. We have about 125 members and meet once a month, have door prizes, BOM drawings, charm square exchange, show & tell, and a yearly challenge. We have monthly speakers (some nationally known and some local), workshops some months, and have put on 3 nice quilt shows in the past few years. The guild sets up 2-3 retreats per year, sometimes we'll have an additional project like an ugly fabric contest, and we have a fun Christmas party every December. I have participated in a number of committees and am actually a past president. This meeting is one of the highlights of my month, if for no other reason than the show & tell and the speakers' programs.

I also belong to an 8-member bee which meets once a month, and we're all members of the guild, so we participate in lots of activities together.

I belong to two guilds - one is quite large so they usually have a guest speaker and 'show & tell' at the meetings. The other is a much smaller group - they meet every other month and usually do a project or have a speaker. On the alternate months they have a social meeting at someone's home. Everyone is friendly at both groups but I prefer the smaller one - easier to meet people and get to know everyone.

I belong to two guilds. One I started with when there were only 5 or 6 members. It has become to large. There are now over 100 members and there is kind of a herd mentallity. We have a smaller Bee that consists of about 6 members of the bigger guild that meet twice a month and then go to lunch. The second guild I belong to is also more than 100 members. Their attitude is totally differnt. Everyone does their own thing and they have a wonderful retreat that I have gone to every year for the last 10 years. The second guild was started by Mimi Dietrich it is very laid back just like her. While it is almost an hour drive from my home I enjoy it and the members much more than the other guild which is 40 minutes closer. The first guild's members act like quilting is the only interest in their lives. I have been doing this to long to take it that seriously.

I just decided to join a guild here in Bar Harbor. I am going to my first meeting April 14th. I hope I won't be disappointed. They also are having a quilt show at a firehouse here on the island in May. The lady told me to bring hand work and some things for show n tell.

I'm so glad that most of the folks here have a good experience with their local quilt guilds. I haven't had a good experience here; the one I went to was for more towards the housewife/retired section with machine quilting (no working folks or okay with handsewing...)

Hi Sue,
I noticed that you are in SoCal - what Guild do you belong to? and where? I am interested in joining a guild and there is one right here in Upland, but I don't really know anything about it. I love the enthusiasm you have for your guild!
Barbara

I belong to a quilt guild and absolutely love it. We're a relatively small group, but we have lots of things going on. We also have a show and tell time. We have an annual challenge quilt. We have a monthly workshop in addition to the monthly meeting. I'm getting ready to join another guild which meets on a different day of the week in the next town over.

Yes, I love my quilt guild, I have learned so much from the guild,

Why not organize a guild for other like yourself? Ibet it would be a hit. I live in a small town and belong to a guild. We have 20-25 members. We have 1 male. The size of our guild is good for working together and sharing.

I joined one about three months ago. I like the monthly speakers and the BOM, but I haven't found the people to be particularly friendly or inclusive. For example, they put together kits for a quilt to raffle at a quilt show. When we first talked about it, people were going to be invited to get involved by taking a kit for a section of the quilt. When the kits were put together, they were handed out only to a certain few, obviously pre-picked. As for the rest of us, we weren't invited.

I wondered if it was just me thinking they weren't very friendly, but at a class yesterday two women were talking about a guild they no longer went to because the people weren't very friendly. I asked them if it was the guild in "X" city. It was!! Glad to know it wasn't just me.

Craftybear, I joined a group at my local SR. center. After a few months of being ignored by one gal and shushed by another, I just quit going. I wanted friendship and fellowship and maybe some guidelines along the way. I quit nearly a month ago and no one has called. I don't miss the ignoring person or the person who shushed me all the time, but I do miss the others. Too bad the one bad apple applies. I'm quite happy in this forum, have learned many new things and gathered quite a few friends, you included. :thumbup: :-D

Craftybear, that group at the church sounds like lots of fun. That's the kind of group I would like to be part of. The only time I attended a Guild group was when I was working on my first quilt(and we all know how they look). they just looked at what I was working on and they seemed to stick their nose up and didn't make me very welcome. they were only interested in judging each other's work. I didn't go back.
I did quilt with about 5 ladies from our church here in Ok. we met in a lady's home who had a very large sewig room. that was a fun group but the lady adopted two babies and we had to sew at home. This quilting group has been enjoyable and I have learned lots of things in the short time I have been on here. And never once have you been unkind to anyone who has posted photos or questions to be answered. You all have been encouraging to the new quilters

I joined a group this year called CAMEO (Come and Meet Each Other), with my neighbor.They have various speakers, do charity quilting, we volunteered to go to a local museum village and quilted in the houses for visitors to see and learn from, they have refreshments and drawings. There is a schedulted retreat in April but I'm not able to attend. It does sound like a lot of fun. You should give it a try at least a couple of times before decidings. I did and truly enjoyed it. I did a BOM at a local mill and found people were not very friendly to newcomers.

we have a local quilt group because we did not want to become too organized:)

I have yet to join one... I've been thinking about it and considering it ... but just don't have the time to devote to it right now ... we shall see :)

The guild near me is another one of those unfriendly and unwelcoming clubs with by-laws, minutes, and the "clique" mentality. The first night I attended, no new members were introduced, because if we had been, I would have met another lady who is a quilter. Fate had a hand because I did meet this lady a few weeks later through a neighbor who knew we both were long-time quilters. Turns out the "clique" seemed to be jealous of this lady (who is in her 80's) whose applique ability and patterns were published in national quilt magazines.

She and I started our own informal group of quilters. We were given free space in our local high school, specifically to encourage older folks to quilt. We decided there would be no by-laws, no election of officers, no minutes, and no dues! If we teach and several of us do, we only charge for the materials. We offer all the new techniques because we have such wonderfully talented women--and a few men! We do have a coordinator who plans the many activities of quilt classes, demonstrations, visits to nearby quilt shops, and other field trips.

Someone suggested that we place a jar on the cutting table for those who can afford it, to drop in a quarter. No one is watching to see who does and who doesn't contribute. We never have much money and that has turned out to be a good thing in that it protects the group from those who try to wangle money out of us. No money, no tax obligations, no nada, but fun and encouragement to quilters, both new and experienced.

The most amazing of all is that word spread of our group and people just started donating fabrics, books, notions, UFO's, etc. They knew that we would share this bounty with those in the group who cannot afford to buy much.

:lol: :lol:

we only have one here, and you cant go if you don't have money. Penny

I live in the center of a triangle of guilds, so I joined all three.
One offers a day and night meeting twice a month(attend both), day is mostly bussiness and demonstrations. Night is more project oriented. We put on a yearly Quilt feast and have national speakers come in and take 2-3 bus trips a year.
The other two guild are much smaller and it is more like a group of quilting friends get together and we sew all day once a month.
I have a very small group of friends who are also in all three and on the off week when neither of these group meet...we meet at one of the ladies house and..... sew all day.

no I don't belong to a guild but my Mother teaches a quilting class. We're learning the fine art of hand quilting. She just taught us the tube quilting technique. She did allow machines for that...usually not! We meet every Monday evening from 5PM-8PM. Some of the ladies have been with her over 10 years. I joined last year and have learned a lot. We even have one man in our group! We're having our first retreat on April 24.

raptureready – Wow, I was a bit surprised to read there is a guild that actually doesn’t let anyone who wants join it. That really just shocks me! The guild I belong to is so friendly and we tend to embrace anyone who shows even the slightest interest in quilting. Although I have been in a guild in California that was run by a group that reminds me of the group you speak of. These women were quite the clique. If you didn’t go to all the best shows in the country or have the best machines, you didn’t belong in their group! Needless to say, I didn’t belong. Lol.

The guild I belong to here in Idaho Falls is a fairly good size, about 150 members. My guild has a free mini-class before each monthly meeting where someone gives a 30 minute demonstration or lecture. It’s been on everything from choosing fabrics for projects to what types of threads to use to how to machine appliqué. This is separate from the education segment in the main part of the meeting. There’s a speaker, sometimes a trunk show (my favorite!), and normal “meeting” stuff. Show & Tell is probably everyone’s favorite part of the meeting and it’s usually like a mini quilt show & filled with amazing quilts! There are also the standard intraguild challenges & fun projects to get involved in. Since it’s so big we don’t do any sewing at the meeting, though many of us bring hand work. We have a bunch of smaller bees going on & that’s usually where all the social fun takes place. I’m in 4 of the smaller bees so I tend to stay fairly busy. And this month we’ve got Sally Collins coming in to teach two classes and I get to take them both! 8)

I used to belong to 3 guilds but I’ve pared it down the past year since my health has really taken a nose dive and I’ve cut back to the one guild. I can’t imagine my life without the friends I’ve made through this guild!

I got the opportunity to be a guild president, though it was for a smaller guild. I usually try to fill in with some area and have been Workshop Chairman, Treasurer, and Intraguild Chairman as well. I have a lot of respect for those ladies (and gentlemen) who fill those duty rolls. It can be a lot of work and very little thanks. Sadly, it can also go to peoples’ heads and I’ve seen people change and go power hungry and ruin a guild when they take over. I think those in charge really set the flavor for the guild and it’s the people at the top that can make or break a guild.

bstanbro – Ouch. I’ve had an experience similar to the one you are talking about, where only a certain honored few were allowed to work on the raffle quilt. I wasn’t one of those honored few. In fact, there were a few of us who love to appliqué and are fairly decent at it (my g/f is a teacher at the national level for appliqué) and we were really hurt when we were told our participation wasn’t needed. Our solution was to make sure the rules were changed for the next quilt that was made to raffle off. And thankfully I’ve been able to be involved in the process for the past two raffle quilts, both with piecing, appliqué, and doing hand quilting. It’s one of my ways of giving back to my guild and helping to provide for funds to bring in some amazing teachers. In fact, it’s become quite the guild project and a real source of pride for a lot of us.

Zoe – I want to join your guild!!!

I would love to find one but I don't want a bad experience sometimes people can make you feel like an outsider thats why I like this board. I tend to be friendly enough but sometimes I think these meetings are what you make it. If you have a friend to go with it would be more fun because you wouldn't feel like an outsider.

I belong to one quilt guild with 500 members (and I also belong to 3 small groups). One way to meet people is to volunteer for a board position or help with a quilt show. I've done both and I've met a lot of great quilters.

One way have a quilt group is to start one yourself. Invite those who quilt, those who always wanted to learn how to quilt, and those who have UFO's (unfinished objects) to finish.Keep up the invites until you have 4-6 members. I started such a group and they have elected to donate quilts to local hospitals and nursing homes.

:-( I wish i could join some guild but there aren't any where I live...It seems like I am a lonely quilter.....Thats why I love this place so much....I met great friends in here and got plenty of help from them...........TY quilting board

I would love to join one but a little nervous since I know so little about quilting. I am sure most of them have been friends in the group a long time. I also do not know any groups in Chattanooga, Tn. Does anyone?

Try this website, Janet: http://www.quiltguilds.com/tennessee.htm
Looks promising!

I wanna join YOUR group, Zoe!

I used to belong to a guild but I got tired of the arguements about Roberts Rules of order and how to comduct the meeting. What does any of that have to do with quilting? I go to Pfaff club and I love that. It's very informal and relaxed and have any kind of sewing project and even some craft projects.

I'm with you, the arguing really got to me and several of us quit the guild and started our own group. Many of the members joined us and the guild dried up because the workers/teachers quit. We now have a fun group that love to work together and we argue about nothing! I also belong to a Bernina Sewing group and a Bernina Embroidery group they both accept everyone and all types of machines.

Roberts Rules of Order? What is that?

I think my favorite small group I belong to is called 'The Finishing School.' If anyone is having problems in any area, they simply bring the problem project and we all jump in with suggestions on ways to solve the problem or how to do a certain technique to help finish a quilt. Everyone is friendly, which is saying something since we're made up of all different religions and political beliefs. No one is ever turned away and everyone is made to feel welcome. I really feel I hit the jackpot with this group of gals!

Nope. Don't belong. They post people's full names and pix of them and their work online. Tsk, tsk.

I used to belong to an informal group of sewers and knitters in the old neighborhood. Informal is good. Friends with rich conversational opportunities... and made to order snacks.

Love The Finishing School. It's a stark contrast to the "exclusive" guild mentioned earlier in the thread.

All this guild talk is almost identical to FRG talk. I guess all organized groups have their issues.

There should be an option for each member to choose should they not want their private information put out for anyone to get hold of. My guild has a members list. It includes address, phone #, and email if they so choose. And if they show any quilts for Show & Tell they have to mark a box stating whether or not they will allow pictures and if they will allow any pictures to be put up on the Internet. There are a lot of ladies in my guild who teach or who make their own patterns and often they want to share but they don't want any pictures until they can get the pattern copyrighted. I think if any guild puts up photos on the Internet they should make sure they have each individuals permission. JMO

I belong to my statewide guild and it is wonderful. They are so much fun to be around, I love going to guild meetings and look forward to it each month.

I don't belong to my local county guild, however, since they don't allow men to join. :roll:

Yes. In fact more than one.
One group is fairly small, between 40-60 members most of the time. We meet once a month in the evening. Schedule is socializing, and such for a bit. Then a quick business meeting, drawing for BOM and such. Then our program, usually a speaker or trunk show or such. Short break, door prize drawings and show and tell.
The monthly newsletter is available on line, or you can request a mailed copy. A couple of times a year we bring in a "national" teacher for the program and a workshop the next Saturday. We also schedule a couple of retreats each year. And will be trying to get our quilt show schedule back on track. (Lost our venue for a while. Been researching a replacement and so on.)
We do quilts for AASK (Arizona Adoption of Special Kids) as our primary charity work. But are also doing Quilts of Valor.

The other guild is the big "state-wide" guild. It has over 2,000 members and over 40 chapters all over the state. (Tucson also has a big guild and has opted out of the "state" guild, but Tucson quilters can still join the guild.... and we have a lot of "part time Arizonans in the guild. <G>)
I do belong to one of the Chapters, not all guild members do (some are "Members at large".) My chapter has about 30-40 people in it. And I am this years Chapter Chair.
We meet weekly, in the morning. One week we have some sort of "class" taught by one of the members usually. You can also bring other things to work on if you prefer. One week is sort of "dedicated" to UFOs, one to Applique. The last week of the month is our business meeting. And if there are 5 meetings in a month the 4th is a "Charity" day. (We do quilts for several different hospitals, shelters and so on. We have also pledged a quilt to every Arizona family who has had someone fall in the line of duty in Iraq/Afghanistan. )
The big guild only "meets" twice a year, the Fall and Spring meetings. The board meets monthly to deal with business. And hosts a yearly quilt show. (Averaging over 325 quilts each year.)
You have to belong to the big guild to belong to any of the chapters. and stuff can get a little complex if you want details. <G> But it all has to do with insurance and liability and such. The big guild is a business and deals with thousands of dollars each year so the business parts are important. But not everyone has to deal with that. <VBG>
There are lots of chapters all over the state. More are being formed all the time. And a few disperse. Almost anyone can find a chapter to fit their needs/desires.

There are also other quilt groups in the area, in "Parks" and such, as well as at Senior/Adult Centers and more.

We are really fortunate here in Arizona, especially the Phoenix Metro area.

Pati, in Phx

[quote=Tiffany]Roberts Rules of Order? What is that?


Robert's Rules of Order is a way to conduct the business part of the meeting. One person would do something out of order and an arguement would start because "you can't do that right now, you have to wait til........." I got tired of the bickering that went on at each meeting. It spoiled what could have been a fun time and great learning experience. I let my membership expire and I have not gone back.

I see I am not the only one who has had a bad experience
with quilting guilds. I am now trying to find one in MD
with not to much drama. If anyone lives in MD and is a member of a great guild let me know.

I don't belong to an actual quilt guild. I belong to this group and Quilted With Love on Yahoo and www.TheQuiltShow.com. That's it and I guess I get everything I need from you and them. I've looked all over for an actual guild in my area and haven't been able to find one. I did find one about a year ago, but the people were rude and didn't seem interested in having me join. That's fine with me, I'm very happy with my virtual guilds and I think I get everything I need from them.

WHAT?!? Is this possible? Can they do that? It sounds like discrimination to me. I can relate tho. I tried to join a local group and was turned down flat. Not to mention they were quite rude about it in the process. Maybe I should try to start my own little informal group. Hmmmm? That's an idea. I'll have to do some research.

I don't belong to a guild, but I belong to 2 craft groups which are arranged by individuals not an "organized body".

One group meets weekly (during the week for a couple of hours), but does any craft. Most are quilters, but we also have scrap-bookers, knitters, crocheters, spinners, etc.

The other group meets monthly, in the weekend for about 5 hours on a Saturday.

Both groups tend to do their own "show and tells", and are quite social, e.g. people are open to sharing what they know (crafting of otherwise). Very supportive and kind people. There is no cost in belonging to either group - which is really good, as times are tough. We also get to see a lot younger people too - who don't tend to have a high degree of "disposable" income. The only cost is the craft they are working on - and transportation to the venue/s.

These groups give us a chance to talk to like-minded people. We get to focus on the projects we are working on, and socialize :)

Yes, it's written into their guild constitution:
Stunning, I know.