Usually when I go out to quilt with groups, I am doing it for charity. And so I not only don't feel guilty despite my DH but I get lots done with all the encouragement. We tend to stand up to stretch and walk around. While we are up, we tend to go see what else is being made and ooh at it. And when we are finished we will stand up with our completed top and get comments on how great it is. I do try to have something planned to do especially if it is a weekend event with it all cut out. But still have not done a retreat yet. My guild is planning some short stitch until you wilt during this year and I will be able to work on my own projects then. It is almost a mini retreat for about 5-7 hours. To cut cost we will be bringing our own goodies or calling out for delivery with those involved paying for what they want. We have a nice area for takeout and delivery.

i think you get more done when alone; but i'd rather sew w/a group. although i do not have a group at this time, i'd love to join one.

I could probably be a hermit. I have a tendency to stay home for weeks on end if I don't participate in activities with others. I joined a guild to get out more. I now belong to a small quilting group. We meet twice a month. We have about 15 members but there is usually only 7 or 8 there at any given time. We sew and visit. Sometimes I get a lot done, sometimes not. I have made some good friends and have fun with them. We teach each other, get help with projects, have show and tell. There is support when we are going through life's challenges. Sometimes I take a hand project, sometimes I take my machine, depends on what I want to do.
I also enjoy sewing alone. I guess my answer is both.

All 3 of my kids are small still (3.5yr old boy, 2.5yr old girl, 2.5 month old girl) so we pretty much stay home all the time.


I also feel the same way as what you said in your post...

I feel bad if my part of the housework falls by the wayside, so I'll move dryer laundry to house, move wet laundry to dryer, and start a new load, then go sew for a bit...then stack up dishes, then sew for a bit, then empty dishwasher, start a new load, and I'm pretty much done with chores for the day...so, back to sewing...

Of course, there are always breaks to play with, watch, feed, and change the kids...

I do much better by my self. As I go from sewing machine, to another project, to the computer, answer real estate questions, make appointments all day long. (play facebook bingo - oh my, I am addicted, I need bingo intervention)

Alone definitely! Groups draw my attention away and I am unable to concentrate on anything that requires thought. I do like to be with people when I sew on binding or embroider.

I like in groups and alone. I do understand it is easy to start talking and loose track of time when in a group. But I have also learned alot of neat tips and tricks in groups.

The only problem, as I see it, is if you take your kids somewhere, start sewing, and dont remember to pick them up until after you've gone to bed...

I find that I am learning the "stay at home" method. When I first retired, I was out and about all the time, taking lessons, joining this or that sewing group, etc. Then a heart problem interfered, and I was forced to stay at home, thus learned that I really can get a lot more done alone. But missing the visiting sometimes becomes a problem, so I just look around for a group to drop in on, and have the best of both worlds, in my estimation..... Housework and neatness was never a problem with me--I am a 'don't care one way or the other' person and so is my husband, and I have a house cleaner come in twice a month who knows me well enough that I don't have to clean the day before she comes.... But right now I have a mind chock full of ideas, and no motivation to get started on them. What an I do????

DITTO on that MrsM.....I'm off to quilt camp the week after next for 4 days...I always work on a couple of projects and get so many great 1:1 lessons from my guild friends. I would not miss it for the world:):)

If I already have the quilt sandwiched, I like to take it and quilt with others. However, if it's something I actually need to think about, I much prefer being alone. I sort of like spending time with me!

i sew alone .. so when i make a mistake the whole room won't be to shaken as to what is coming out of my mouth...:o

I sew alone. Down in our basement without a window too. I did tons of swaps years ago though and it was great fun. Got me sewing which is something I don't do well when it's just me. Can't seem to get motivated easily. having to make blocks on time worked well at the time. Now i'm finishing up tops made with those blocks!!

I think that I like solitary sewing best. Did one Quilts of Valor sew day and discovered that it makes me too tense and nervous. But I am in a Saturday block of the month club at my LQS and enjoy all the comeraderie (sp?). It takes me almost an hour to get to the LQS, so that's when I shop for fabric too. They have some classes that I'd really like to take if I didn't have that pesky job that I'm supposed to go to every day. LOL!

Scissor Queen...That made laugh out loud!! If only more of this nations young ones had been raised this way!!

I think I learn a lot by just going to the group, if I get stuck they are there to help and I seem to just pick up a lot of good tips and tricks by being with them. On the other hand I like to do my cutting and really tough sewing at home when I can focus.

I like both. Fun with a group but relaxes me to sew alone.

I totally agree with you Dunster. I'm the same, even classes bug me so I don't do them often.

Too funny...never thought of that.

I enjoy both. Our group meets once a month and we have lunch and a brief business meeting, lot of quilting related talk and chatting. As a new quilter and member of the community, I'm making new friends, learning a lot from the demos and projects, and through them I am able to participate in community charity work. But I do think the personality of the group decides whether or not it is a good and productive experience. I love sewing alone as well and I don't think I would want to go to group quilting more than once a month. I'm basically a loner too and by being a group member, I make myself get out and mingle. And I'm always glad it did.

It depends in my world. I have health issues, so if I feel up to doing it, I do. Otherwise, it'll still be there when I get around to it.

If I am going to sew binding or "mindless" stuff, I'm okay in a group. I feel like I'm moving and my fave machine stays home (loved but heavy Juki) and my class machine and I aren't always on the same page which is annoying. I hate the chairs to table height ratio and am usually dead when I get home. If I am going to a group session where we are supposed to be taught something new, I'd almost rather take really good notes and go home to play with it on my own. It annoys me no end when someone (or several of them) invariably ask "huh?" or "what was that?" or "I didn't hear that, can you repeat it?" several times. I really don't mind if they can't hear the instructor, but when they are chit-chatting and just not paying attention, it is VERY annoying to me.

So, if it's something I already know how to do and am confident in my ability to sew it, I'm okay in a group. My best sewing and cutting I do at home. My best piecing I do at home -- better light, better machine, better set-up, better temperature control. And the fridge is close at hand if I want some ice. :D

I have a need for both situations. I like the convience of having everything at my fingertips at home, but the resources of more experienced quilters at a group sew. To be honest, I am one of those people that like to put their heads down and sew at group sewing, and get a little annoyed by people that talk the entire time so loud that the whole room can hear them, and they chatter non-stop on topics that may not interest people. I feel these people have a different purpose to attend sew days other than sewing, such as they are lonely or dominated at home by a husband and group sew time gives them some freedom to talk. I try to be understanding, and just smile and nod, but keep on sewing. Now that the "nest is empty" I get a lot more done at home . My favorite time is to go to a friend's house and sew and catch up on our lives. We try to to this a few times each summer

I love to sew. But I am a moody sewer. Sometimes I will sew and sew, then others I will go for days without even looking towards the sewing machine. I do better by myself, since I am just learning, and I need to concentrate on what I am doing.

I am kinda funny where the cleaning comes in though. I feel guilty if I am sewing the the house is a wreck. So, to feel better about it, I clean really good right before I know I am going to start a new project. So it was at least clean when I started. So that was the old method. I switched, and now I clean at least one room in the morning, and then I sew the rest of the day. Seems to be working for me, so far anyway. Hubby is good about cleaning up the kitchen in the evening after we eat. We all know how hard it is to load the dishwasher!!! But I do not complain as that is one thing less I have to do.

I enjoy sewing with a group. I listen (and sometimes participate) in conversations but am pretty focused on what I am doing. I do mindless sewing and cutting while I'm there. I can really focus while I'm at a group sew...fewer distractions, lots of opinions/suggestions and a ready source of great fabric!

I love getting up an hour before anyone else, sneaking into the sewingroom in jammies, turning on the radio and making my machine sing. Any other time is a mixed affair. My best friend comes over most Saturdays and we really get lots done, but are limited to smaller projects since we sit on opposite sides of the table. The girls bring eats and drinks, make lunch and clear, and we just sew. Ohter than that, some processes of quilting are fairly anti-social and I need to be on my own for them. I do a lot of handwork in order to be with the family in front of the TV, especially needleturn applique and usually 'time' my work so I can join hubby for cricket or rugby. After a quilt is sandwiched, it becomes a one-on-one affair and I don't like to share my space. However, I am a pack animal and thrive in a group - if not clowning around. Once a month we meet in a larger group, but still manage to be quite productive. So, I guess it is a bit of both.

I used to sew once a week with a friend. She and I got a lot done during that time. Soon others joined us and it seemed like all of them were constantly asking for my help on something or wanting to use something of mine. Not that I minded or anything but it got to be more of a hassle than anything. When one of the member's husband got sick, we sort of disbanned. Now, my DH and I sew together. (I got him interested and he is worse than I am now.)

2 people seem to give and take and respect each other's time more. More than two changes the group dynamics too much - we tried it. Once. I love the idea of teaching the DH and spending time with him in this way. Hmmmmm....now what shall we teach the man first......

I agree - get most done at home!

Hi Eileen,nice of you to make contact.My husband is always willing todrive me wherever I want to go,he is good like that.Perhaps you could let me have some details of the Shiremoor group.I live in Ryton so not sure how near that is.If I go to private messages, is that the way I can leave contact details ? Love Letty

Wow, this seems kind of harsh to me. Lonely? Dominated?? Perhaps these people just have a different personality and lifestyle than you, and prefer the social aspect of these get-togethers? The way I look at it, I can get a lot of sewing done at home too, but I really enjoy the company of women who are just like me - wives, mothers, and quilters.

Alone. I'd be doing too much gabbing otherwise.

Alone... I get too easily distracted even when I am alone!

I generally sew alone. And yes I can get a lot done. But I truly love getting together with other quilters. I learn so much and I get so motivated.

I am a rather quiet type person, not very talkative, so even in a group, I don't really get distracted. Sewing at home alone is more convenient because all my stuff is there.

We are a small group(3) who meet every second Saturday. We talk, we laugh, we eat, we solve the problems of the world and we try to get in some sewing. Some days are more productive than others. The social benefits are fabulous.

I did not do a very good job of posting before, if I came across as harsh. Not everyone has an ideal situation at home, some are lonely or do not get a chance to express themselves. Quilting time is an opportunity to come and be themselves and socialize, in our guild, that is just fine. We are very welcoming and tolerant of many personalities. As I said before, if I have heard enough chatter, I just smile and nod and keep working, as I come for different reasons. I, too, welcome them and are glad they can join us. Because we all come for different reasons then everyone requires tolerance and understanding, when someone is overtalking to the person that does not talk very much.

I used to go to an embroidery group the first Tuesday of every month. I loved it!

I work full time and the local quilt guild meets during the day, so I cannot go.

I think home situations contribute to whether a group is wanted or needed. I have 4 pets, 2 teens and dh at home. Even if I leave the housework and cooking, someone wants something from me. My 'Me time' is constantly interrupted. If I sew away from home I do not have those distractions.

I have not been to a quilt group, but have done a few weekends with Ron Collins an incredible sewing instructor. You work on your own project, but have Ron available to help as needed. At one retreat, I had one plan and after finding some cotton shirting printed with Hawaiian shirts, wound up making my DH a shirt, Ron was there every step of the way helping me to match the pattern across the front perfectly and perfecting the fit. Without that help, I would never have managed to make such a great fitting shirt.

Our quilt guild had a 4 day quilt retreat a couple of weeks ago. 18 of us had a blast working on our projects and visiting in a beautiful setting---The room where we sewed had floor to ceiling windows overlooking a lake. We all finished some UFOs and many started some new quilts.

I belong to a group that meets once a month to make quilts for Project Linus. A group of ladies from my church gets together once a month to sew for missions. Sewing with friends is fun.