quilting guild
 

Going to a quilting guild tomorrow for first time, don't know what to expect and am a little shy. One of my friends is going with me. What do they do at one ? Any reply will be greatly appreciated.

Ours has a social hour for the 1st half hour then we get down to business. After that there is a demo of one thing to another. They are fun, great way to meet other quilters who eventually become friends.

and you might want to take something small...either a WIP or something finished...most guilds share, with everyone just showing what they have worked on...

My guild in Chester Co, PA, does coffee and snacks before the meeting for about a half hour. Once the meeting starts, we do brief reports from the officers and committee members, then show and tell by the members, then there is a brief break and the second half of the meeting is a speaker's presentation. In the winter when it's more likely that the meeting may be cancelled due to snow, we often have home-grown programs so we're not making a speaker travel for a missed meeting.

Generally people are friendly and happy to see new faces; I think you'll have a great time. If there's contact info on the notice that led you to the meeting, that person can probably fill you in on what that guild does more specifically.

Ours is a very large guild with over 200 members. 130 at the last meeting so it is not possible to know everyone. but still a great way to meet others with same interest. First part of meeting is lecture or talk then show and tell (without a lot of talking). show and tell is volunteery. Then quick business portion to discuss "stuff". this spring the guild is sponsoring a "quilt college" so info about that is presented during this part of meeting. There is a swap table in the back where you bring scraps, mags, etc and take whatever you want, even if you didn't donate anything. Have fun.

We usually have a short business meeting to discuss fundraisers, opportunity quilt, upcoming quilt show, etc. Then we usually bring in a speaker (someone who shows off their quilts, technique, talks about different types of batting, applique, etc.) Last night was different because we had a School House where we had about eight different guild members showing us a different technique, block, stitch, etc. We moved from table to table on our own. That was a lot of fun and I learned so much, like: a one seam flying geese block, twilling, embroidering with ribbon, a neat quilt as you go block, tips on working with bias, rouching, different prairie points, etc. That was really fun.

Hope you enjoy your first meeting. It will be nice to go with a friend. I went by myself the first couple of months and then a few very nice older ladies took me under their wing. That has made a big difference. I have met and made a lot of friends. Quilters are usually very friendly, but women can be cliquish at times.

I work three days a week and it seemed all the guilds in this area meet on the days I work..I made a few phone calls today and found out about a small group that meets weekly (on my day off) 2miles from my home... YEAH!!!:)

We start out with the business meeting portion, then fund raisers or other events we are involved in. Then we have a show and tell time so feel free to take something along to show off. I did at the first meeting I went to last fall. Then we usually have one or two demonstrate a technique or quilt they are working on.

They also have a sit and sew time all day prior to the meeting and time afterwards if anyone wants to stay and sew some more.

Have fun and let us know what you think.

Phyllis

Our Quilt Guild is small, only about a dozen people. We have a meeting, show & tell and demo's. We inform each other of shows that are in our area, help each other out when necessary, go on mini shop hops and work on charity quilts. But best of all, we have become good friends.
Go to the meeting and ENJOY !

You will find wonderful benefits from a quilt guild. It presents opportunities for learning, sharing resources, and making friendships.

If you are shy and still want to connect, you might look carefully at the people and their quilts during show and tell segment. Choose one that looks interesting and afterwards go up to that person and compliment her on the quilt and ask questions about it.

Also, find an officer or other obvious leader and ask her questions you might have about the guild.

There is no easier way to start a conversation than to be interested and ask questions!

Have fun!

Dayle

I belong to two guilds, one is small and my best quilting friends are members. The other is very large, I don't know but one or two members there. I joined the bigger guild for the workshops and classes from well known quilters. I'm never nervous in a group of people and speak up with questions if I'm confused. That breaks the ice better then anything. But it gets me on a lot of committees. Groups really like people who show an interest and will put you to work fast. LOL Give the guild a chance before dismissing it as not for you. It takes about five meeting before I feel part of a group.

Guilds have different ways of operating. Some have a social time either before or after the meeting, and others don't. Almost all of them have show and tell, which is usually the most popular activity. Most have a short business meeting. The size of the guild has a lot to do with whether you will be recognized as a new member. I also belong to both large and small guilds, and I enjoy each for different reasons. You may not feel that you are welcome at first in a large guild, but it is not because the other members are unfriendly - it is just that there are so many members that they don't know them all, and they may not even realize that you are new. In a smaller guild, the members will probably try to make you feel at home, but remember that they may also be shy. I hope you have a good experience at your first meeting. But if you don't, then give it several more tries and you're sure to make friends and enjoy going.

Our guild has 2 meetings a month. The first one is a business meeting first and then show and tell, and if there is time, a short presentation by a guild member. The second meeting is a doing meeting. This is where we work on a specific project that is usually taught that night. There are supplies to bring for that meeting.
If you have a LQS, usually someone there knows about what is happening in the guild, you might want to check with them. If that's not an option, just go and relax. I am the current president of our guild and try to get visitors to tell a little about themselves.
I do think that most guilds look forward to new members. I think they bring a new perspective and interesting ideas to the mix.