This is exactly why I have never joined a guild and never will. The people that have been there a few years think that they are the best, and dont like a new "Threat" in their territory. They look down on you as if you are a pauper because you are new to a guild. It is wrong, and un social to be doing such things to new comers, espeicially when it is supposed to be a social group!!
I get together with my sewing friends (all 2 of them)once a month, and we have a blast, we dont need a guild to make us feel wanted and worthwhile, we have much more fun teaching each other new tricks and tips, and laughing at ourselves when we totally get it wrong.
As far As I am concerned why would you want to be a part of such an unsocial social group? Find another that is more accepting of new comers, or start your own little group with your friends.

i am so sorry for your experence. When I first went to my group I had the same feelings. No one taked to me and I had only made a couple of quilts. I was primarily a seamress. I will tell you why I stayed. I wanted to learn the craft of quilting. Guilds have speakers and teachers come in giving you a chance to improve your skill. Friendships developed after they learned I wasn't a threat. Seating in class with other members opened doors of over 10 years of new friendships.

Oh, that's neat! I've made some cloth dolls for my girls. I went to an Amish community in Pennsylvania and came across this neat little book with patterns for a boy, a girl, a mother and a father and all the clothes. I'm still trying to modernize the clothes though, lol.

I kind of have had the same experience. But I'm still going. I've started to volunteer to help the officers and make sure that at every meeting I initiate a conversation with one or two other members about their show & tell or something. Then when I see them at the next meeting they seem a little friendlier.

I am so not a shy person, but I had this experience. I got a little hurt and angry at first, then to do what I wanted others to do for me: welcome newcomers. I decided that it was worth staying to have the opportunities to learn and grow as a quilter. So, I really made changes: I suggested that we start a welcoming committee and volunteered to head it up. It was really easy, I made copies of the rules and a brief calendar of monthly events, put it all in small gift bags with cheap sewing gifts--needles, quilting pins, copies of free patterns, etc.--and stored them in my trunk. Each month, I give a gift bag to anyone who shows up for a meeting and decides to join the guild. When my stash of gift bags gets low, I make some more. I also make sure that I talk to every new member at every meeting. Naturally, all the new people get to know me right away and appreciate my kindness.

I know how you feel. I went to a local guild here and never felt welcome. 3 ladies chatted during the whole meeting and I couldn't hear. Then "they" were the "winners" of many awards that were given that night from a recent quilt show. I went to the next meeting and no one said anything to me. It was very obvious who the very "active, involved" members were and I felt so uncomfortable. Did we go to the same meeting????? I get more from this site. Thanks to you all out there on the Quilting Board. I have truly felt very welcome here. Such positive energy and support. Blessing to you all.

I don't belong to a quilt guild but I have a few friends that have. Both of them had really bad experiences with the members being snobby & like in a clique. That went on for a long time & they both just decided to quit. I just figured it was their area but after reading this I guess it is everwhere. Obviously there are alot of good ones out there. You just have to check around & find them. Have fun!

What a great idea! Gift bags for newcomers. I am going to suggest it to my local guild.

I was taught to quilt by a small group of ladies who called themselves "The Tuesday Needlers" They were more of a club than a guild. They invited me and my then 4 year old son to join them. Several years later when I had twins, they were welcomed with open arms. I've never heard of a quilting group or guild welcoming small children since. Most of the ladies have since passed away, and the rest are elderly. I don't know if they still meet, but they were the best teachers I could have had.
I have since moved, and tryed a guild here. I went to 2 of their sit and sew meetings. I was pretty much ignored. They were preparing for an upcoming show they were having. Several of the ladies were bickering like children over raffle tickets. After the second meeting, and more bickering I decided I wouldn't go back. Turns out this particular group had splintered into 2 groups because of the infighting.
There is another guild I have heard of, but never visited. They have to many requirements for my taste. I don't have time for my quilting, and don't need the extra stress of being required to make a donation quilt for a guild as a requirement for membership. They to make "show" quilts and are intered and accepted into national shows every year. I don't make show quilts. So, I am a lone quilter by choice.

Our guild welcomes children. During the summer most of us grandmothers have one or two to keep. We have never had a disruptive child, all have been on their best behavior. (I know what I tell mine before walking in the door!) and I think that makes all the difference having a guild like having children at the meetings.