wow I would show that to a attorney and ruffle there feather with a note about discrimanation.Penny

Well, the way I look at is that I'm 49 years old and have lived all my life in this relatively small town, and plan to spend the rest of my years here as well. So I don't really want to rock the boat. I have to continue to live here with these people. :) However, the majority of members were unaware that the policy exists. I don't expect it to be changed, though. I know that there are some there who would not only say "No", but would probably say "H@ll, no." Life in a small town.

I know when you're a new member it seems as if no one notices you (been there, done that) but if you take part in a Sew In, make a charity quilt, show your latest quilts, volunteer to help with something or join a small group you'll find you'll get to know some of the other members much more quickly than just attending meetings and not participating in the guild's functions.

I belong to a local guild and enjoy it. We have 10 monthly meetings a year that consist of business, Show and Tell, break for coffee and then a program by a guest speaker or guild member. Guests are always welcomed and asked to stand and introduce themselves to the members. We are associated with a local historic park and have use of 1 building for our monthly meetings and a small ranch house for our stash, supplies, Wed. Bee's, and Sat. workshops or Sew Ins. Our bi-annual Quilt Show is held in all the 4 buildings on the grounds of the park. We have an annual raffle quilt whose proceeds are donated to the park as our "rent". Guild has been at the park for almost 25 years so the arrangment really works. Raffle quilt is sometimes made and donated by a guild member or made by guild members. Packages of fabric and directions are given to all members who want to make blocks for the raffle quilt and volunteers are asked to help assemble the raffle quilt. About 100 charity quilts in all sizes and hundreds of pillowcases donated locally each year but members are not required to make something and many don't. We have many "Small Groups", several members get together with an interest in common, applique, art quilts, etc. These are very informal with less than 10 members who meet in each other's homes.

From what other quilters here have said guilds vary just like anything else in life. I encourage everyone to give their local guild a try out - if it doesn't fit you then at least you tried. May in Jersey

Eddie I know the guild you are excluded from :roll: It's not you it's them. ;-)

Thanks. :) That was my thought as well. :D

I can so relate. When I got turned down I thought of raising a stink, then I thought why bother. They are the ones missing out on me. Their loss, I'm moving on.

I tend to shy away from group activities, and I also don't follow new trends. I plod away with my handquilting and on days when I have the time am now having fun with my machine (thanks to everyone here for help and inspiration). I understand how important guilds can be, but for some people I think belonging to a guild could be quite stressful, and a bit of a financial burden too. Zoe's group sounds more my cup of tea. It's been really interesting reading about how they work and I am sure for many are a really good way to meet like minds and contribute to the management and organisation.

that is true, I did not think about that. so sorry. Penny

Guilds are great places to make connections, learn the art, share ideas and like any organization their are always the controlers, the nasties and the know it alls but if you ignore the attitudes in general quilters are caring, sharing & loving people. I belong to many guilds in four states over the years, jumped in for all kinds of committees & offices and made life long friends-people who picked you up when things got bad, shared their homes and food, swapped fabric and trips to the quilt shop, watched your child grow and even chipped in for a sewing machine. I wouldn't let anyone stand in my way of making a quilt friend. My life has been very interesting because of guilds and the wonderful people in them. Moosegirl

I second what Moosegirl said!, May in Jersey

I think you and Moosegirl have been fortunate in the groups you've met. I've heard that "one must jump in and chair committees, become pro-active, make the changes from within, etc." This doesn't always work, but you are so right to keep attending for all the decent folks you meet.

Most guilds are indeed open and inviting to new and (here's the catch) beginning quilters. There are some that are not. It's as simple as that. The definition of a guild is a group with specialized talents, one where a prospective member had to serve an apprenticeship in order to hone her/his skills. Guilds of years past were exclusive and wanted to keep it that way.

I remember years ago when I timidly approached the membership table for a guild. I mentioned that I was a quilter who wanted to learn new techniques. They asked me if I were a beginner, because they really did not want nor did they have the time to teach new quilters. I stared at them incredulously, unable to understand why they (or these particular women) had that attitude. I asked them "wouldn't you want to foster the love of quilting with beginners; isn't that one of the purposes of a guild?" These unfriendly ladies had such an embarrassed look that I realized I had made my point. I walked away from them, but I followed up with a letter describing this incident to the head of their guild who, of course, personally invited me to join.

As always seems to happen with me (and I believe a sign from a just God), two other guild presidents in our state went out of their way to invite me to join their groups. Sometimes, you have to stand up to the "bitch factor" and pettiness that can give a distorted picture of a group.

Just another view of what's good and bad about guilt guilds.

Raptureready.
I just love the quilt you have pictured. Can you share the name of the pattern? Is it from a mag or separate pattern that I can buy? Thanks for the help.

you could get other quilters and just start a quilt sew day, don't have to worry about meetings etc. just have fun sewing!

One of the women in the state guild that I'm in has a sew-day on the second Saturday of each month, and we go to that. There's usually about a half dozen or so there and we do a potluck for lunch. I really like it, they are such a fun group of people to be around. :D

Hi Susan,

Yes this is a fun site and glad to be your friend!