I visited a local guild for my first time this week. It was strange to walk into a room of about 20 people and not recognize a soul!!! I was unsure to answer the repeated question "So, are you a quilter?" since I have actually only completed one quilted wall hanging, one large quilt, and one quilt top. However, everyone was very friendly. A few minutes later two of the members from my American Sewing Guild came it and pulled up chairs next to mine. Then, a woman that I had chatted with at a fabric store came in and immediately recognized me----I was feeling better and better!!!

The program was on channel quilting which I enjoyed learning about. The show and tell was very inspirational. This guild does a block of the month which was fun the see the completed blocks using the same pattern but different materials. The guild is going on a retreat in October and I am planning to go, too!!!

A great experience that I would encourage others to try??? Yes! :P

Wow, it looks like you have found a great group. The retreat sounds wonderful. Let us know how it was.

Good for you Eddie and congrats on your win! I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoy mine (which is very large). When my sis and I decided to join, she was out of town and convinced me (the shy one) to go by myself. I walked in, not knowing how big it was, and was overwhelmed by the size. But I soon discovered that most of the people are warm and welcoming. I have learned so much in the 2 years that I have been there from the guest speakers and have made quite a few friends. I have joined the outreach program, mostly teaching kids at risk. Then I joined a small group that one of the ladies from there started. I can't wait for all 3 to start up again next month. And yes, we have several men in our guild.

Good for you. I'm too chicken. I'm not that good and many do quilts for shows. I just do mine for love. I bet you'll enjoy it tho.. Let us know how it goes

I'm glad you found a group you enjoy! There are so many negative posts about guilds; it's really sad. I belong to one I like very much; a friend and I joined about three years ago. As we don't meet over July and August, I've been missing it and am looking forward to seeing everyone in September.

Mine is a mixed group - some are very talented, some use mostly cheater panels, some are traditional, some contemporary and some a mix of everything. A few are a little snippy, I just steer clear of them and focus on the friendly, helpful ones. A guild should provide a place to get together with other quilters to share and learn - everyone started as a beginner at some point!

Bev, don't sell yourself short. Perhaps you could go as a guest to a meeting and check it out. That's how I got started. I paid $5 to go as a guest and found many friendly people. The guest speaker was great and I was sold. We have all levels--yes a few do show quilts and get in quilting mags, but even they are mostly friendly and welcoming. Afterall, even those that do show quilts were beginners at one point!

Eddie---I am so glad that you had a positive guild experience and that you were welcomed as a male in the group. Congrats on winning a door prize!! Keep us posted on how the meetings go.