Gannyrosie

First off let me say that being on this board for a short time I have found everyone here to be helpful, friendly, honest with their advise whether good or bad. I think I'm in the middle rang of the age of most of the women on this board (55). Quiet honestly their are not many Guilds here locally in New Orleans,La and if there is I don't have time to attend. With that being said, I have noticed that the Quilting community is largely in the upper states where it was a necessity due to weather conditions. Okay to the point, when I would visit my daughter in Boston for her spring break while in college she would take me around many different places. I remember one day we were riding on the "T" and as I was looking around at the people she looked and me and put her right and left index finger on her lips and pulled a smile. Being from the south we tell everyone hello, we make friends with complete strangers, but my experience in going up North it's not the same. ONe day we were walking around and I told many people passing by "Good MOrning" and you could have sworn I was about to rob them. I am not saying that all northern people are this way, please don't get me wrong. I am saying that people in general who live in areas where there is more inside activity due to weather verses outside activities, they just don't relate to people in general. It's not a wrong thing, you just have to realize where their coming from and I do. I think about them being confined to their homes due to extreme weather situations and they don't venture out unless necessary. When people of that type do venture out and find someone who shares their interest, they set a bond, one of necessity. BReaking that bond or joining it requires some very smart reverse psychology. Next time try to just praise them, not anything more, something like meeting an older scared dog for the first time, let them make the judgement of whether or not you are there to harm them or put them out. You will see a difference. But never, never, never, let anyone's else's behavior change your dreams or needs. Okay I'm off my soap box.
Once again, I hope NO ONE on this board takes my opinion personally. You have ALL been the most helpful group any young or beginner quilter could ever hoped for. Thank you to the Seniors, we need you.

NJQuilter55

Try another shop or guild. My Modern quilt guild has many younger, newer quilters and I really like their fresh outlook, enthusiasm and creativity. I left my old guild of many years because I felt they were very cliquish and close minded to new ideas. The new one is much better. Google 'the modern quilt guild" and once you find the website, there is a link there to search if there is group near you that you could visit. Good luck and don't give up just because of a few unfriendly quilters!

annesthreads

When I started to quilt a few years ago I tried 2 local groups. One of them was unwelcoming to inexperienced quilters, the other couldn't cope with me because I'm single. As soon as they'd found out that I didn't have husband, children, grandchildren (their only topics of conversation) I was ignored. I tried very hard to find common ground (I do have neices and nephews), but they obviously just couldn't cope with this exotic "different" person. Quilting groups are thin on the ground around here, so since then I've worked on my own, with this board and Leah Day's site as my companions. I can imagine that a young person wouldn't have been welcome in that group either. Some people are just very insecure and easily feel threatened, or just too narrow in outlook to take an interest in those who are different from themselves. I'm 59 and have friends in every decade of their lives from 20s to 90s. I learn so much from both ends of the age spectrum.

pollyjvan9

Well, I'm on the other end of the spectrum. I am 73 and enjoy doing new things. Many times I am the only "great-grandmother" in the group with the next oldest may in their 30's. If they look at me funny or ignore me, I just let it roll off my back and keep going. Hopefully, they will be old someday.

QuiltingHub

I have set up a blog with the goal of educating shops and brands the importance of using Social Media to attract younger quilters. This is a monumental task (as is indicated by all the comments to her post), so I am looking for anyone who would like to help in the mission of growing quilting into the next generation.

This would involve:
1) If you are a brand, shop, guild or industry professional who is using social media today to reach out to the younger generation with success, you may be able to post on the blog to encourage others.
2) If you know of a brand, shop or guild that should be using social media, you can send them to QuiltingHub.BlogSpot.com to see how others have used it for success.
3) If you are a brand, shop or guild that has not started social media, I would be happy to help you (for free) to figure out which one would be best to start and how.
4) If you would like to give me guidance, tips or advice you think would be useful or join the mission in any way, contact me through QuiltingBoard or reply here.

Together we can grow quilting and make it more welcome for the younger generation.

Feel free to reach me or reply. I would love to hear your thoughts and ideas.
--Paul

petthefabric

Paul. I think you have a great idea. I don't participate in much social media....part of my generation where statistics show low participation. For your target group the statistics are very high....so great idea. I think the web videos are very helpful for people with full schedules, they can watch on their schedule.

tuckyquilter

I'd love to have my daughter be interested in quilting. AND we NEED young quilters, both male and female, to carry on the age old traditions. SHAME on those quilters. They should have embraced you and made you welcome. I'm also a QOV quilter, but very new at it. Will be sending my 1st quilt to a LA gal this week. Hang in there and keep sewing/quilting.

DonnaPBradshaw

Oh my heart goes out to anyone who has felt unwelcome! It is very hard to keep going when you don't feel accepted. I'm happy that maybe you can find friends here on QB! I have and it's been a marvelous experience! Keep looking for guilds that are accepting and make you feel welcome! They are out there for sure!

cashs_mom

I had this experience with one guild here. It wasn't my age. I was well into my 40's but they definitely weren't welcoming to newbies. I did all the stuff that supposedly helps you fit in but I didn't. I finally just decided this wasn't the group for me and went looking for another. I found one that was great. The ladies helped me with my projects and I learned so much from them. Some groups are just more welcoming than others. Keep looking and you'll find one where you fit.

I'm not sure it's always narrowmindedness or insecurity. People like people they have a lot in common with. That's pretty normal. It makes conversation easy. I'm past 60, don't have children and thus no grandchildren and love to show cars. I don't find many women that I have a lot in common with. But it's all right. I can sit and listen politely and make the correct responses and enjoy other's company. The world doesn't have to fit me and what I like for me to to enjoy myself. I've also learned over a lifetime of being decidedly different than my contemporaries that I sometimes have to be the one to find some common ground between myself and others.

Tiggersmom

As a past president of a large guild, I've found all types of personalities in guilds [and every other "womens" groups].... some are just jealous of your age/beauty/knowledge or they wish they had learned when they were much younger, etc. Some are jealous because your talent outshines theirs...........sad but true, women should support women [and some due] but I've found a lot of over-bearing women [I won't use the term 'ladies'] I've also found some life-long friends. My best advice for what it's worth, going through life you will find maybe 5 true friends you can count on........the rest are all in the 'acquaintance' category. Enjoy yourself with those you like and ignore the others attitudes or it might start rubbing off. Treat any new quilter, whatever their age, with how you would like to be treated. [actually any old quilter either.............kill them with kindness]. hugging you, Jennifer