Hi, anyone out there part o a guild? What do you get out of being part of one?

Worth the time and money? Is it just about meetings or more?

Guilds don't work for me b/c they've been way too big. But that's just me.

Same here. My guild grew (rapidly) from 20 to 85. No comaraderie, just a very structured "meeting".
I want to socialize and stitch with friends who are not in competition, who show and tell without expecting to be considered the "best of show", who know everyone and without being asked are right there for the support and/or comfort of the members.
In January, I plan to start up a small group in my home. No name, no agenda, no dues. A gathering of friends with no expectations. They will have room to stitch, chairs for rocking and an empty table for snacks if they so desire to bring them. If not, thast's OK too.
I'm through with guilds.

I joined a local guild back in February, but I haven't made it to a meeting since then. If I don't just plain forget the meetings, they fall on a day in which I have too much to do to get away or I've got company in or something.

Our guild does a LOT of stuff - there are always all kinds of activities going on - road trips and classes and swaps, guest speakers, etc. Every guild is different, but I think most of them will do whatever level of activity that can be supported by the membership.

I think all of them will be happy for you to drop in and attend a meeting as a guest, too. Try it and see what yours offers. I'll bet people will be friendly and welcoming. :)

Welcome from Minnesota! I belonged to a guild for a while but the "meeting" part of it was just too much for me.

Hello, and welcome from Idaho! I don't go to meetings anymore, because I couldn't afford it and the gas.

I belong to a guild (20 or less members) & love it - so much so that since I relocated a year ago, I travel a hour to get there (how crazy is that!) We always have a group quilt in some stage of construction, do a challenge every year, have mini lessons at meetings, quilt for charities, share projects & tips, bounce ideas off one another ....

The guild where I now live is quite large from what I hear so I never went - small groups fit me well. Cost is minimal - 15/yr. & we get State Newletter, VIP discount from JoAnn's, materials for group projects and friendship. One of our members is a longarm quilter & she gives us 10% discount.

I don't belong to one because I hate structure!

I love my guild. Meetings are once a week, business meeting once a month with show and tell. The rest of the time will be classes, charity quilting, or just doing your own thing which always includes lots of chitchat. We have hand and machine quilters as well as art quilters. Its nice to have the diversity. You should give a guild a try, some like them, some don't.

I belong to a small guild and I love it. The ladies are great. We have a meeting once a month and show and tell. We have a day retreat once a month where we learn a new project. Everyone helps one another.

Mine was not nice at sharing. Or allowing new members in. I love this group because I have learned so much more than any guild could have taught me!

Thank you all. I think I expected too much for the guild I joined. Only meetings, no sewing together or friendship. So I think I'll stop going and enjoy sewing with my girl friends!! Much more fun and I can save the $$ for fabric :)

I have been in a few. The bigger the guild the less I liked it. Too small boring. I finally found a medium sized group. We have good speakers, road trips, sew in, etc. I have enjoyed being a part of this group.

I'm in a guild - about 120 ladies (although actual attendance varies with the weather :) ). Business meeting once a month, show and tell every meeting, sewing days after meetings often, coffee and delicious treats each meeting, 2 parties a year. Speakers, "how to" demonstrations, 'garage sales', and trip coordination.

A small amount of dues is collected at the beginning of the year. All other things are optional.

I'm sure there are individual groups within the guild who get together and do more things on their own.

Have you thought of heading up something new in your guild? Include your girlfriends and a member or two from the guild. The more the merrier.

I belong to a guild with about 135 members - even joined the executive (newsletter editor & webmaster).

The executive meets once a month, the main meeting is also once a month, a couple of weeks later.

The main meeting always has a program and show & share - speakers have been wonderful, from Cathy Miller (the singing quilter) to Superior Threads speaker to just 'mixer' activities.

There are subgroups that put together comfort quilts, etc. I haven't been able to join those as they take place during the day.

Our fees are $35 for the year, which I consider to be a very reasonable cost for the chance to learn all kinds of things, to share the guild library and all the fun stuff we do.

There are all kinds in our guild - those with perfect, exquisite work; those with beginner skills who are also cherished; organizers and followers; doers and workers and yes, those who just plain will never be pleased with anything.

I'm having fun with this group!

I belong to a very large guild--more than 200 people. We meet monthly and often have national speakers, who stay a 2nd day for a workshop. (There is a fee for these.) We support charities, making quilts--and other items-- for sick children, veterans, and abused women. A beginning quilter when I joined, I found amazing encouragement and friendship. Though cliques are inevitable in big groups, almost 10 years later, I still find inspiration, especially in show and tell. For me the best part has been joining two small bees (one with 10 members, the other six.) Maybe others view those as cliques.The ones who gain the most from a guild jump in with both feet and participate. I see a lot of comparisons to this board--the inspiration, the encouragement, the friendships, the tutorials and otherhelp.. Guilds may not be for everyone, but they can be wonderful. Wordy..sorry.

Ditto. I don't go to either a local group or the State guild anymore because of unfriendly members, secretive members who were willing to share ideas / patterns etc and it had become so 'clicky', I always felt as an intruder. Prefer now to sit at home and sew by myself and of course, I too have learned so much from this Board. Much more welcoming and pleasant.

I belong to a guild, I am the treasurer. We just Louisa Smith for a trunk show and workshop. A few months ago we had Eleanor Burns sister, she was great! We've also had Carol Doak and others I don't remember names.
We have over 100 members but not everyone show up each month.

I belong to a small group. We limit our group to 20 members. We meet monthly and have a yearly project, show and tell,"problem children" (things that are giving us trouble and we give and get help), demos on techniques or new products, Secret Pals, and of course dessert! twice a year we have a sew day. We are all very close, all of us are at different skill levels and have varied areas of expertise. I joined the group as a beginner (you have to be recommended for membership adn voted on)and I have learned so much. I've gained 20 new friends, I love it. no egos in our group so I think we are very lucky.

I do belong to a guild. The meetings are very formal and the attendance is usually around 200 people.
There isn't much camaraderie among new people. The old guard is a pretty tough clique to crack.
I even served on our quilt show committee to try to fit in but all we got was grief from the 'old gals.'
And yes, there are a few with the 'Queen Bee' syndrome.
The reason I still go is because I'm exposed to new things. We often have guest speakers that have a new take on quilting art. Some are absolutely beautiful, and inspiring.
I would not know about a lot of techniques and would not be challenged to try new things if I didn't go to my guild.
NOW, I also belong to another club.
There, we laugh, a lot.
It's a senior's group. But they adopted me, even though I'm not 'legal' as a senior. LOL
We sew. We stitch 'n bitch. And we laugh.. We support each other and we ooh and aah over each other's projects. We even 'do lunch.'
There is no comparison of the two.

Now that I am retired, I am thinking about joining a Thursday one. I know the group works on children's charity quilts in the morning, breaks for lunch and works on their own things in the afternoon. I'm sure there is some kind of a business meeting.

I belong to a small group. I go for the fellowship. We have workshops most months - on Saturdays. The link is to a pic of the ladies at my Mariner's Compass workshop in September. We had fun. Tomorrow night is our annual Christmas party - it's all about the food! Pot luck and fun.

Most of us quilt in solitude, so getting together with other quilters every once in a while is good for our souls. We also have an annual quilt festival at a museum where our quilts hang for a month!

http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-65456-1.htm

I also had a bad experience when I was going to join a guild.It was so big, you were on a list & was supposed to join as an opening came up.A friend told me, they chose ppl from the list they were buddies with,that your name would be on there for yrs before you got in, if you ever did.
Not for me.My name describes me very well.I'd like the speakers & show & tell, but the Queen Bee syndrome is alive & well. Would love to have a small group of quilters such as you describe, but don't know other quilters.No prob tho, I'm used to it & gain so much from this board.

I am in the melbourne modern quilters - what a fantastic group - supportive, sharing, not cliquey and open to all comers. I also sew with two other friends, just locally. If I couldn't find a group I liked, I would have started one.
Cheers
Rain

I belong to a guild associated with the local Extension Office. We have a Chairman and a Treasurer, that is pretty much the end of our structure. We meet once a month, have at least four UFO days a month. We talk alot, laugh alot, support one another, trade fabric, give each that piece of fabric needed to finish a project. Membership fluctuates, some join for a specific project and come to some UFO's, but we may never see them until another project interests them. There are ten to twelve members who are active most of the time, and at least nine who are active all the time. Because we are part of the Extension Office, information about us is included in the Homemakers monthly newsletter and we setup our UFO schedule two months at a time. We work on projects at our meetings and UFO days (9:00 to 4:00). We shop together, take road trips together, retreat together, we are the best part of being a family and friends. It is alot like this board.

Sounds like what all guilds should be.Lucky you.

I go just to see the sharing time. The quilts motivate me to get moving on my own projects (sometimes they motivate me, lol). There have been a few presentations that blew my socks off - and others, oh well - not into the artsy quilt bit.
So - yes, even if a guild is large (and the one I go to is large), and if inexpensive enough ($20 a year for mine), I think it's worth it.
Ever thought of starting your own quilt club? Just to have a few quilters get together every month to sew & chit chat???

There are groups out there for everyone. You need to try different ones until you find what you like. Guilds and small groups are wonderful. Some are friendlier than others. It's always fun to quilt with friends, so keep looking until you find a group or guild that suits your needs.

I love my Guild. We have a business meeting on 1st Wednesday of each month, with show & tell after the meeting. Sometimes in the afternoon we have a class, but not often. Also sometimes after meeting someone does a trunk show.
Then on 3rd Wednesday, we have 'Sew-In' where one of the guild members teaches us a project. We make quilts for charity through out the year, someone donates the fabrics, including the batting, or we can use our own fabrics.
We take trips, have 3 parties a year, a quilt show every other year. Our dues are only $15.00 per year.
All in all we have a great time, everyone is friendly & helpful.
Did I say I love my guild? LOL

I belong to 2 guilds one small local the other around 130 that I drive 90 miles for the one here is active for a
small group we have retreats where we just get together and sew and also classes sometimes local teachers sometimes we bring in name teachers the large guild has many activities
with small groups every other year we have a large retreat with name teachers I have found that guilfs are what the members want and what they put into it I enjoy them both and have learned lots from them

Guilds all have their own flavour. Some are open, friendly, welcoming and encouraging while others are not. Go and try out your local guild and make up your mind after a few visits. Many guilds have smaller more informal sub groups that may just be the right fit for you (Stitch and Share or Community Quilts). I love my guild and the enouragement and support they provide.

I belong to two locally, plus our state guild. For me its seeing what everyone else is doing, and getting help when I have something that's not working. Plus the programs and classes offered by the guilds is a great place to learn new things. Am signed up for a dying class in January. Should prove interesting.
The guild also has a library so quilting books are always available to check out.
One guild also has a "workday" which is come and bring your own project OR there will be a class of some kind. Usually taught by a member and only costs $5. People take turns bring in some new technique or some cool design to work on.

I belong to a guild but it is so big, over 100 members, and I find them to be unfriendly. They are all divided up into their little sewing groups, a new person doesn't have a chance, especially a shy one. So I rarely go anymore. I like the show and tell and the tips you often get from the program, but I would prefer a small group of sewing buddies, which I hoped to acquire from this group, but didn't happen.

I belong to a Guild with 150 members - it does vary with snow birds. It offers demonstrations, speakers, show and tell, a Quilt Show every two years, etc. Our fee is $25/year. I enjoy going. You meet new quilters and I learn a lot. Two pluses I wouldn't have if I didn't belong.

All guilds are not created equal. If its too "business-like" join, or START a GROUP! - Just the fun without the %$#

I am one of the co-presidents of our local Austin Modern Quilt Guild. It's lots of fun. A small but committed group that meets once a month to share projects, learn new techniques, holiday swaps, etc. Just a lot of laughing, eating cookies and visiting. I'm actually super bummed out right now because I was supposed to be going to tonight's meeting but my oldest woke up with a fever so I can't take her to a sitter tonight :(

I am the President elect of our local guild. We have capped out guild to 50 ladies with a waiting list for members. I love our guild. Our fees are $30 a year but that includes membership to our guild and membership to the TVQA.

We have challenges, provide classes and instruction, go on field trips and shop hops together and we also meet a second time in the month for our Charity Quilt Day. On that day we make quilts for two charities we support.

I think a guild is well worth your time. Making friends who share a common interest is awesome. I've only been quilting for two years and the awesome talented ladies have been so helpful.

I love my guild friends. Two other quilters and I started our guild in January 2000 and we average at least 30 gals per meeting with an overall high membership of 60. We've put on 3 quilt shows in these 10 years and they've received rave reviews. We meet in my church's Fellowship Hall and our quilt shows are held in the church, filling up every room and space in the church. Our craft room sales finance the expenses of the shows and no entrace fees are collected. Our raffle quilts have provided hundreds of funds for local charities. If I hadn't been involved in this guild, I wouldn't have met so many wonderful gals and made such wonderful "quilty" friends, and would never have become the quilter I am. Love the sharing of ideas, techniques, and exposure to do patterns and quilts. Everyone should give a guild a chance and reach out to the quilting community.

Our guild is wonderful! We have about 23 active people. We are always doing something - round robins, challenges, pincushion gift exchange for Christmas, pro bono quilt this year is for the local Lioness group.

The gals are all very nice. We have a show n tell just about every meeting (twice a month) and there is a LOT of extremely great talent here.

Everyone is helpful and shares and willing to help someone solve a problem. We pay $20/year dues. We have a Christmas and End of Year party. Everyone makes food for both and we have excellent cooks among us. Most of all, WE CARE ABOUT EACH OTHER.

We don't meet in July and August because we meet at the local High School and it is closed then. I miss it a lot when we are not in session.

I am all for guilds! I just found out about another one on the island which meets on a different day and during the daytime. It closes for the winter and is open through the summer so I am planning on checking that one out. It meets at a Church I love which is another plus.

[quote=plainpat]I also had a bad experience when I was going to join a guild.It was so big, you were on a list & was supposed to join as an opening came up.A friend told me, they chose ppl from the list they were buddies with,that your name would be on there for yrs before you got in, if you ever did.
Not for me.My name describes me very well.I'd like the speakers & show & tell, but the Queen Bee syndrome is alive & well. Would love to have a small group of quilters such as you describe, but don't know other quilters.No prob tho, I'm used to it & gain so much from this board.

I love your attitude and wish you lived close to me. I'd sure get together with you for a small group. Maybe someday all of us on this board could look at where people are from and write to those who might be close to us and start something like a small guild. I've been looking but haven't found anyone close yet but watch out if you are; I'm coming after you, LOL.