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I agree with sueisallaboutquilts. I would insist everyone work on their own project, including you. When something is not fun anymore I don't do it. Rotating locations would not be an issue with me. This way you are not left cleaning up alone each week. Have everyone bring their own lunch. Bet no one forgets. The hostess provides coffee & dessert. Explain that this is a social time, not a free classroom and lesson.
Been there-done that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by #1piecemaker

For several years a group of us ladies got together every week and spent most of the day sitting around quilting, visiting, helping each other and having lunch together. We had a lot of fun doing this. And then it started going sour. We started out piecing our quilts by hand and quilting in hoops, each working on their own things. Then we set up a frame. We took turns quilting on quilts for each other. Some of the ladies would just show up to quilt when theirs was in the frame, then they started bickering about the correct way to do it. They would forget who was supposed to provide lunch that day. One of the ladies showed up drunk and fell off her chair and we had to call an ambulance. All of the meetings took place in my home so I had all the mess to worry with each week. I never got any work done on my own stuff because I was always helping someone else. I didn't mind that at all. I enjoy helping someoneelse. But, with all the desention, it got to where i was dreading quilting day. So, I called it off until further notice. Now, they are all wanting to start the group back up. I have serious reservations. But, these are some good friends and I do enjoy them. Just not all the hastles. What do you think? Should I get the club started back again???

......".One of the ladies showed up drunk and fell off her chair and we had to call an ambulance." ........

Intense....!

I agree with the rest about rotating locations but if you are happy to host it all the time then do so with a few rules. Do lunch as a pot luck covered dish sort of thing and let it known that all will work together on all things or this cannot be done. These should be brought out up front.

I also belong to two mini-group quilting Bees...one has 6 members and one 7. We rotate homes ( meeting places) by alphabetical last names and we started about a two years ago to brown bag our lunches with the hostess furnishing coffee, drinks and dessert. It has worked out very well for us and we all get along very well. Most of the time we work on our own "stuff", but occasionally will do things for charity or make sampler quilts by exchanging blocks.

OMG!!! One lady showed up drunk and fell out of her chair??? Too funny!!! but that's just me...snort, gasp, giggle

I would try it again and have the first meeting Rule Setting so everyone has a part in how things will work. Rotate homes or ask a church if you could use a room.
Have fun.

Quote:

Originally Posted by quilter1943

WOW! What a group. Why don't you find a church fellowship hall or library room, some place other than your home to meet. Set some guidelines. If you're close to one of the ladies, maybe you could do it together.

My group meets at the senior center and we eat lunch at the center. on a rotating basis, we each one will bring a snack that month and pay for a carafe of coffee. We start at ten and end at 2pm. They let us have the room for free but usually we make a donation tot he center once a year($100) Our dues are $5 a year, due in January and our newsletter is $5 a year, due in July. We are open to anyone who wants to come and we try to get others to come and join us if we think they would fit in. Jan

I think you should spend more time writing and less time with your "club"...at least until you have enough material for a book. I sure loved your query. I was weary from rearranging furniture and I recognized all the characters you described, except for the drunken quilter. Sometimes friends will drive us to drink, sometimes they drive us home. Hang in there.

A different home each time would be good and how about fewer times a month. Our group meets at a different home every other Wednesday. Except for July August and Sept. Seems to work well for us.

I would think long & hard about it.. what is it they say, leapords don't change their spots.... I would have a list of rules & if they don't like that then don't come, maybe only meet once a month & if you can find an alternative place to meet that would probably be for the best... if you go ahead & have at your house, no matter what the rules are there will still be those that do not follow them.. BUT then again there will be plenty that do & you will enjoy yourself... hard decision to make... good luck with them