Excellent Advice Sandygirl! I've never thought of it before but bringing a Show n Tell does open up opportunity for people to talk to you about your quilt.

Check them out with an open mind like shopping for a car. Hope you find a group that you fit into. So many times, the women have already established their friendship circles. Good Luck !

Raise Your Antennae High!
 

In my opinion, quilt guilds are ALL about the programs and the people. One without the other is not good. Yes, you definitely want to visit, perhaps a couple times, to get a "feel" for the group. Are you approached and welcomed by the members? Do they encourage you to join? During break time do they comp up and engage you in conversation? Are they just plain friendly?

And then what do they do, and what do they offer? Do they schedule a variety of speakers, and have a season's worth of quilters printed so you know who and what to expect? Are the speakers varied (traditional quilting, modern quilting, different techniques, perhaps color theory, etc.)? Do the speakers offer classes?

Does the guild make charity quilts? Quilts of Valor? Quilts for babies and seniors in nursing homes?

Does the guild schedule Sit & Stitch sessions and retreats that are affordable? (And by the way, are the classes affordable?)

I hope I've given you some ideas of things to look for when considering a quilting guild. The guild I'm in now is absolutely WONDERFUL . . . however, I had to go through three bad ones to get there! Good luck!

I also belong to a small group - eight of us until two weeks when one member died very unexpectedly. It hit all of us very hard as we have become close. We get together once a month and just share projects, ideas, and have a nice visit. One of us usually brings a snack/treat. We also get together usually once or twice a year to have a quilt day where we each work on one of our projects and share a potluck. Sometimes we swap fabric and pick a pattern to make with the swap fabric - it's amazing how different yet similar each project is. We've made donation quilts. We have no business meeting nor do we have dues. It's a very casual get together but one we all enjoy. Go with a group where you can be comfortable. Good luck.

If you can go with someone that is a big help. I didn't have that, as girls living close by were officers for the next year, and had to go an hour early. I felt pretty 'strange' sitting by myself, but then some women from our church came and talked to me and that made it better.
I would say to take it slow and just enjoy meeting the girls. It will get better as you go more, and maybe you show something. No doubt you will learn a lot, as everyone is always really helpful to answer new people's questions.

Good luck and enjoy!!
Mariah