QuiltingJaguar

Several years ago my girl friend and I walked into a quilt guild. We were treated very poorly, like we don't have any more applications to join, we over crowded as it is. Funny thing, we did not join, but her daug went on to become head of that guild and then in charge of Quilt Fest in Jacksonville for several years running...
My friend has health issues now and I joined a newly formed quilt/crafty group at our library 3 yrs ago.

Olivia's Grammy

I've been in 3 different Quilt Guilds and always had unpleasant experiences. I am a proud member of ASG and that's always a good experience. We have members that do different things so it's an interesting mix.

nyelphaba

I like my guild. I was asked to join shortly after I began quilting. Great women and I have made many new friends.

Jennifer22206

I joined one guild and it was an absolutely MISERABLE experience. I went to 4 meetings and then never again. There were so many cliques, and so much backstabbing I just didn't want it.

When I joined, I was just 22 (I'm now 28) and was told by the president of the guild that "it'll be a waste of your time here, you don't really care about quilting, you're too young." Another member of the guild told me that I'd never be as good as some members. To which I replied, "You're right, I'll be better because I'll have been quilting longer when I get to your age."

The ladies at the show and tell were totally snobby, making snide remarks, and they really were the Quilt Police. I showed off one quilt at the second meeting (I went back because I thought the coolness of the first meeting was because I was new) and there was so much criticism I went home and cried for a few days.

That said - THIS website is MY guild. I don't want to go anywhere else. HERE is HOME.

quilter41

Terrible to say the least. To many cliques and very political. Never introduce the new people and didn't seem to want the group to grow. I would rather quilt with my friends and forget the guilds.

Peckish

Too political, too judgmental, too demanding. Nuts to that. Now I belong to a loosely-organized group of quilters that has no requirements, no rules, no membership.

sandybeach

Same with me. My sister drug me to my first meeting. I don't really have "friends" in the guild (my choice), but everyone has been very nice to me. This year I volunteered to do the "Challenge Quilt" and someone has always jumped in to help if I get stuck on something. Perhaps the LQS can pair you up with someone else who might want to join but is reluctant and you can go with her/him for the first couple of meetings. If they have a guest speaker that night you may have to pay a small ($5) fee to attend, but once you are a member ($20/year) you don't pay any fees.

IAmCatOwned

There are good guilds and not so good guilds. You just have to try them on and see what fits.

I started a guild about 15 years ago for childless quilters (i.e. women with infertility or lost a child and have no others). Most of these gals left other guilds because they would be depressed at every meeting (discussions floated around kids and grandkids, not quilting). I left 3 years later because I moved too far away, but the group continues. The group continues today and is a little larger (25), but the only rule that applies is no discussion of children, grandchildren or infertility treatments - you are there to talk quilting.

My current 'guild' is at the local quilt shop and is mostly a sales pitch about new classes, new products and a show and tell. It's fine and stays very focused on quilting, but I'm not really getting to know other quilters as most people leave as soon as the meeting breaks.

I was just in the process of starting a new group to meet at the local Borders store, but since those stores are closing, I'll have to rethink a meeting place. I just want to get together with a group of quilters, while we work on some hand projects, and gab about quilting outside of a quilt shop environment (I'm trying to go no-buy on fabric). So, if you find nothing that works for you, consider setting up your own little group. Nothing larger than 8. Once you have more, it becomes too complicated, IMHO.

dungeonquilter

I enjoy my guild. The workshops offered are a lot less expensive than at a quilt shop, although I have taken classes there as well.
Can always ask questions about patterns or techniques and get any help I need from other members, and we have some great ones.
Always enjoy guest speakers and show and tell is my favourite part of the evening.

Gramie bj

I joined a guild and love it, very friendly, lots of knowledge to draw from, everyone very willing to help a newbie. 200+ members we have retreats, classes taught by guild members and guest,work on donation quilts for several organizations, we have a quilt show in the fall, we all work on that, (its almost here!) The only drawback for me, it is a 2+hr drive for the meetings, on the good side it is once a month and they keep in touch by e-mail