I tried to "fit in" for over six months at the guild I once joined. If cliques don't want you, they just don't want you, and have their ways of letting you know it. After the fact, I felt really stupid for trying for so long. Why did it take me six months to figure it out and get out of there? After reading some of the posts here, I feel better knowing I was not alone in my horrible experience. Misery loves company, they say! LOL

I went to a quilt guild meeting one time and the exact same thing happened to me. It was like I was invisible.

I am one of the older members of a small guild that has a great mix of old, middle and young and not once have I ever heard an older member object to paying for having a specialist come to the guild for a regular meeting or a workshop. The larger guild to which I also belong also has a number of older members and none of them object to spending money for programs. Why don't you try locating some experts and see what they will cost and try to pry some money out of the group? You might be surprised! froggyintexas

I have just started goign to a local one and not sure yet what I think, hard part is my health and the constant migraines get int he way.

I have been wanting to join one but haven't had the time. I hope that I'll be able to this winter when things will, hopefully slow down.

I'm on my own as I don't have anything close to me. I'm ok with it but some times I do wish I had some one to sew with. I do get a lot done by myself so that might be an up side of not being in a guild.

This is so right. It's hard at first, but put a smile on your face, say hi to others as you walk by and they will know you are a nice and friendly person. Make an effort and soon you will be part of the group.

LOVE your PS! You gals can come join one of the guilds I belong to any time & sit by me...I think we'd have a blast. The larger guild I belong to has over 400 members & we've got day & night meetings once a month (just so we can all fit in one place). We have programs & classes (of which 5 or 6 are national speakers/yr) snacks, show-n-tell, block of the month, fat 1/4 exchange, & door prizes. We also have overnight bus trips to great places & a couple of retreats a year & put on a quilt show in odd number years. The 2nd guild I belong to has around 100 members. We meet once a month & have snacks, programs & classes (maybe 1 national speaker/yr), retreats, door prizes & an occaisional bus trip. We also have a show in the even number years. Neither guild puts any pressure on you to really crank the quilts out & the more I get involved, the more fun I have. I also belong to a 'small group' where 6 of us get together about once a month. It takes us 2 years to make a wall hanging, but we're mainly together for each others cheap therapy session & eat great desserts.!! I also quilt with the gals from church where we make utility quilts for world relief. I LOVE all the groups I belong to & have met some great people, plus the International Quilt Study Center in Lincoln is only an hour away. How cool is that!?

I've been to one for a while, but the lady that "leads" the guild was always pushing to make blocks or quilts for a case.
As nobody would react she started saying things like we were not socialized.
But a ot of quilts were made for good causes but we have our own work to, and I hate it to pe forced into something....it's my hobby not my work!!!!
Now I come together once a week or two weeks with my quiltfriend and once in a while we meet some other women, but on voluntary base

I belonged to a Guild 20 yrs ago (when I was first learning)and never felt welcomed except when it was time for the yearly quilt show. When they needed my DH and me for some of the work. I ended up quiting to spend more time with my family & working full time. Besides that there was to many Quilt Police there. Even through I didn't know that was what they were called then. :-) I have been quilting on my own on & off since.

I'm not against Guilds I just think it depends what you are looking for & finding the right one for you. Hopefully you find one in your area.
I found what I was looking for right here on the QB. :-D

I belong to guilds

Guilds have their place in the quilting world. Just visit for awhile and decide if it's a good fit for you.

I am in two guilds, one in the same town I live and the second about 45 minutes away. the one in town is larger and I don't find them very welcoming/friendly. they do beautiful work though. the second, even though I come from out of town, has welcomed me with open arms, already taken a few road trips and retreats with them. so I say look around, try a few meetings and then make a choice.

We have two groups here in the Yukon...the Kluane's quilters guild which I just joined yesterday and the Pine Tree quilters who I'm not sure are an actual guild, they may be a group (I know several of the members on a casual basis so I'm going to look into some future meetings when the kids schedules work out that I can make it).

I joined because I think it's very important to support the local quilting community, plus it gives me a chance to meet more people, become friendlier with those I've encountered at classes and at the LQS.

And I get to take advantage of taking part in workshops, etc. The Kluane group is bringing up Sue Spargo for a workshop in the spring and I can't wait!!! They just had Carol Taylor here and while I didn't get to take part in her workshop (as a non-member I didn't have a clue she was coming!!!) I did get to see a talk she gave and presentation of several of her quilts. It was fantastic.

For the most part, when people group together those that know each other, or have personal relationships with each other tend to hang out. I know when I take some of my classes, I've signed up usually with a friend so we can do something fun together...doesn't mean we are a clique by any means, we just go as a team! And even though I'm the shyest person in the world, I do try to make the effort to say hello to those around me and ask them questions. It breaks the ice. If I'm tired or not feeling it though, I don't. Doesn't mean I'm a grumpypuss or rude, just that I'm in a quiet headspace and wish to remain quiet and hang out with my friend.

Its funny, a co-worker and I ended up at the same class (quite accidentally)...we each went in with a different attitude and you know what? the next day we each had a different perception of how the evening went. I'm a laid back, just enjoy the moment kind of girl (I know, I've been accused of being the office polly-anna on occasion) and meanwhile the other person didn't have a great time at all. I remember a lot of sighing from her area. Hearing her talk about it the next day, it sort of sounded like it had been a waste of time, effort, $$, etc. Two totally different perceptions of the same day.

I've also been a member of the local needlework guild for over 10 years...I joined a month after moving here. These women opened up life in the Yukon for me, they gave me a place to go once a month, and budding friendships (one who has become one of my bestest friends ever). While my schedule makes it impossible for me to attend meetings this year, I'm still a member, I support them, and I know they will be there when I again have the time.

I have found that a quilting bee is a better fit for me. My dear friends in my bee here in Florida meet once a week at one member's wonderful studio behind her house, we sew, go to lunch and come back and sew some more. It is informal, no dues, no "we need you do to _____", just Vitamin F (friendship) and fun chatter. Sometimes we are all working on our own projects and other times we try out a new technique together. Seven lovely ladies with different backgrounds, religions, politics, but all with a love of quilting and willingness to give of themselves in friendship. I will miss them so much when I head back to Washington this week.

I do belong to 2 quilds and 1 other group.

Talking with friend who have been with guilds longer than I have I have learned that they seem to go through phases of having some difficulties. I am with one guild to help it overcome the difficulties but may take a break from the other guild for a while and just attend as a non-member.

I have made friends with each guild and group who I dearly cherish.

ali

I love my guild! I am sort of the new girl even though I have been a member for a couple of years. I have not been too active in doing stuff except helping with our quilt show in the antique machine booth. I have recently started going to the charity sews and a bee within the guild and now I am really starting to meet people. The more things you do in small groups, the more you learn and the more people you get to know. If you want to get to know more people, sit at their table during the meeting. Introduce yourself and talk!

The guild I joined meets once a month. I like to go because it's a way for me to share my quilting progress. Last meeting, a guild member wanted my quilt to hang on the board and 5 or 6 people went up to see how I did. That really made my quilting day.

Thank you scissors Queen, that is exactly how I feel, and I am happy to add new friends.