Quilting Guilds
 

I want to join a quilting guild. There are several close by and I am wondering what I should expect.

I have emailed 2 and am planning on going to get a feel for the group. I also have several quilt stores close by that offer open sewing time, etc. so I could take a class or meet other quilters that way. I just hesitate to take classes because I dont want to buy another ruler!

So my question is,

What is your experience with sewing groups or guilds?

Thanks.

Kitty

I think you are on the right track to just make a visit and see how you feel. it's your journey. Enjoy.

Over the last 10 years I have been a member of 2 separate guilds. Both guilds suited me fine. I met and made friends and increased my skills. In addition, I have been inspired by the programs and by the quilts that others have shown.

Each guild has its own characteristics, so checking them out is worthwhile.

There are also charity sewing groups that are wonderful.

Go in with an open mind. I belong to a large guild and a bee (I have belonged to the Modern guild in our area too - but with my son's sports schedule, I was never able to make it to meetings). I've made new friends and had the opportunity to take some fantastic workshops to build my skills.

Cheers, K

Definitely agree with going and checking it out. The first guild I attended was not a good fit for me. It was a smaller number of people and it seemed "clique-y." I tried it for almost a year. No one really talked to me except to say hi and the leader never remembered my name. It probably didn't help that I was kind of shy at the time and didn't try to talk to people. Guess I just faded into the background! I'm sure I wasn't snubbed or ignored on purpose.

Now I go to 2 different ones, one is a regular group and one is a modern group. Most there are quite nice but I've had to make an effort to be friendly and contribute ideas and show-and-tells.

The LQS does offer classes and bus trips to shows/other shops but I haven't signed up for any. Maybe I'm just destined to be more of a lone quilter!

I belong to a guild that has between 40-50 active members. It took a while for me to feel like I was a part of it. The guild members were friendly enough but when you are in a situation where everyone else seems to know everyone it's hard to fit in. It wasn't expensive to join ($15) for a year so I gave it a chance. I'm glad I did. I've made friends and learned a lot. I think with any group you have to be a little bolder than is probably in your comfort zone initially so that you can eventually feel like family. I wish my group would do a little more with education and sharing tips but I really enjoy the show and tell for ideas. Give it a try but I'd allow more than one visit to make an assessment.

I am a fairly shy person too. My guild is huge - but the workshops are often limited to 20 people, so I had a chance to get to know folks in smaller settings.

Cheers, K

I would try both of them to see which fits best. Of my two closest guilds, one spend too much time following Roberts Rules of order, having committee reports, keeping track of who's on what committee, etc. The other (which I LOVE) is just a group of quilters who get together once a month to visit, swap stories, catch up on what quilty activities are going on around the state and have show and tell. Can you guess why I like this one? I've met wonderful people and have learned a lot.

Thanks for the input! I have to admit I am a little nervous but hearing the positive responses I am going to give it a try.

I quit one guild because the business meeting seemed the main goal of the guild instead of having a program and learning something new. I joined a larger guild that has the business meeting not part of the guild day. I like a guild that isn't stingy about paying for good workshops, at least once or twice a year. There are nice friendly members in every guild as well as rude ones. Don't let a few snot members ruin your outlook.

the guild i belong to has "circles" that allow for that small group, initmate quilting experience. check for something like that with the guild you choose. some of our circles are "arty", some groups work on the same project, some groups just get together and do their thing. i belong to the third kind of circle.

the other thing i recommend is to jump in with both feet and volunteer for something. you do not need to be president the first year, but find some small job that you can get involved with. this really allows you to meet a lot of people.

hope your search goes well and you are able to further your quilting and friendship goals.

I was a member of two different quilt guilds for some 20 years. Each had it's own quirks and flavor. The one I enjoyed the most was almost an hour drive from my home but met in the daytime. They had a covered dish luncheon every meeting. They started with a business meeting at 10:00 in the morning. They usually had a speaker or some kind of demonstration or other program each meeting. Most of the members were laid back and I always felt comfortable there. They were started by Mimi Dietrich and her friend Norma Campbell. Both are nationally known quilters at least in our neck of the woods. Mimi is a darling lady. The guild usually took two months off during the summer months. The second group was only a 20 or so minute drive from my home. They met in the evening. A lot of their members were a lot more uptight about quilting etc. Their dues were more and they had lots of stuff they more than urged you to participate in. One of the things that bothered me was their "block of the month". The girl who ran it liked to pick hard blocks and she had lots of rules. She insisted on certain colors and you were often required to purchase the fabric needed from her. The one I hated the most was that if you won you had to participate every month for the next year. As a person who likes the hand quilting part of quilting above everything else that didn't suit me. I sort of stopped going to the first guild that was the farthest away as I got older and the trip seemed longer and longer especially in less than perfect weather. The second group met at night and many times I was just to tired. The main reason I quit that one was the last Christmas Party of theirs I attended. They met us at the door with a box of numbers. We had to draw a number and sit at that table for the evening. I ended up with a whole table full of girls I only knew by face. I wanted to spend the evening with my closest quilting buddies as the guild meetings were where I saw them the most. A mixer would have been alright any other night. I advice you to go to a meeting and get the feel of the group. If they don't make you feel welcome or start making demands immediately "run".

I totally agree with jumping in to help. Our guild has a quilt show in even numbered years. There are so many tasks that need to be done - many of which don't take much time, but the sheer number means that a small group can't do them (for instance - sitting at the table for 2 hours during the show selling tickets, or helping hang the show or take-down). Gus and I have helped with take-down the past 2 shows and this helped me learn lots of member names.

For that last show, I took a day off work to help with the judging and spent the day as a Scribe for the judge - writing comments as fast as I could (there were four of us scribing for her so I learned a lot about every fourth quilt...). That was a fantastic learning experience as well as getting to know other guild members during the day.

I now share Hospitality duties with another member - I coordinate the Summer Ice Cream Social and she coordinates the Winter Potluck. It works well for the two of us.

Cheers, K

Dive right in to whichever Guild feels right for you. I would try several out and see. Joining a Guild is like joining any Social group or Church. You'll get along with some people and not with others. It's the small group settings and working together that you'll get to know members. If you only attend meetings and not join in, you may go for years and no one will ever know your name. I know my Guild has a reputation for not being friendly but when there are 70 or 80 people in a meeting, it's impossible to talk with everyone. So I belong to a smaller Bee with 24 people, those are my friends. I even belong to a group of 4 people who get together in our homes once a month.

mpspeedy, we had that one at a Christmas party too, It was horrible! We drew out of a basket a little piece of fabric and you had to sit at the table with a larger piece of the same fabric. It split up groups and I didn't even get to wish a Merry Christmas to some friends. Totally wrong party idea.

I totally agree. Go and check them both out. Each guild is run differently. Some are mor business and stuffy while others are laid back and one big happy family. The guild I belong to has a variety of activities. Sit and sew, classes by members as well as authored teachers. We do charity quilts, have our annual Christmas party and just enjoy the camaraderie. Some members just come for the social aspects while others come for the classes. If one meeting is not your cup of tea, wait, the next may be right up your alley.

Have fun and I hope you find a guild that suits you.

I could not stand quilting without the friendships I've built in the 8 or so different guilds I've belonged to over the years as I've moved around the country! Most guilds are invaluable for the information and skill imparted by the members and workshops they have, let alone the times of friendship and fellowship with like-minded people. Get involved with the show and any other programs they have, it's the best way to meet people in smaller settings. Ask if there is a membership chairperson and introduce yourself to them. Ask if there is a mentor/mentee program within the guild that can help you assimilate or suggest starting one. :)

Jan in VA

Thanks Jan. I will post back next week after the first meeting!

kitty

I am a member of Mid Valley Quilt Guild, have met so many quilters this way. I also go to my Senior Center for Sew & So every Monday afternoon. I love both!!!

Lots of good advice here -- our guild president always asks if there are any new people, they then introduce themselves. Be sure you sit at a table with others and join in the conversation! Don't expect people to seek you out because you are new but they will enjoy talking to you at their table.

Word of advice to shy people. I hope that you are participating in Show & Tell. That is a great icebreaker! You will have instant rapport. You cannot just sit there and expect others to approach you. It works both ways. A project or two for S &T will open doors.

i am an extrovert and I try to bring out others BUT if I don't get feedback...well...i move on.

sandy

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