Tashana

I have an angel by my side! I took a friend with me to the new guild I joined. Her name is Angel, and I like to joke and say, I know I will be fine with Angel by my side. It is always more fun doing it together with someone. Good luck!

skothing

So sorry for your hurt feelings. One of my guilds does not like new people as they interrupt the meeting and often don't own a sewing machine or know how to sew. I am not saying that is what happen with you. But being an older guild they have short timers who don't help and only there to get their wants satisfied. They don't care what was planned. It is best to call and ask what is expected for newcomers. If there is something you can do to help the guild. There is a lot of work keeping a guild running. Workers are always needed. Sitting up and taking down chairs is one area of need. Be a friend and Willing to help with the madane jobs.Everyone wants to be the queen bee but few want to be a worker bee.

orangeroom

Dear MissSongBird,
I'm glad that you are passionate about quilting. No matter what your age, quilting can be very therapeutic. I think I started in my 30's. I'm currently 42. I attempted to join a local quilt group. Long story short, I don't fit in with the snooty quilters in my town. Nor do I want to join a group of religious women who quilt. Not into that either. I am content to go on shop hops with my quilter friends from work or personal life who (incidentally are quite older than me), but who are wonderful company!
Again, I'm glad that you've found something that you're interested in and have stuck to it! May you have many happy years of quilting ahead of you!

ckcowl

unless someone has actually said something to make you think it's an (age thing) it may have nothing to do with your age...i'm in my 50's and have gone through the same things in some settings---sometimes groups have been together for a long time & they are just not real receptive to anyone new---doesn't matter if your 15 or 60...some of them will snub the new person- be friendly (pretend to accept) in the beginning- but then really not accept them into their little (click) don't take it personally & don't worry about your age...at some point you will find the right group for you- or with preserverence and time you will finally fit in (& hopefully not turn into) the 'group'. i stopped going to our local guild a number of years ago because although people were for the most part friendly enough---they were also at times quite rude---oooh & ahhh & comment on one person's show & tell- then not even look- talk among themselves-totally snub the next person's...age really was not a factor-
just keep on doing what you enjoy- show it off & try new groups, exposure...with time you will fit in like a glove when the right group realizes what a treasure you are! (our guild has memebers from 15 years old up to 80's+...they are rude to all ages equally)

Chiclet

I am in my mid 40s and have never even attempted to join the local quilt groups as they always schedule the meetings Monday thru Friday between 9 and 5! Sadly I need my day job to support my quilting habit! I have signed up for classes and thankfully have a very willing partner in my mother in law! She is also my only sewing buddy as none of my other friends sew. They are veery supportive if my quilting though. the ladies at the classes were either clique-y or there alone so we tend to talk to the ones that are there alone and ignore the ones that seem uninviting. I can honestly say it was not an age thing since my MIL is older than I am and they didn't seem very welcoming to her either. Hang in there and don't give up your quilting for anyone!

The one person who has not been supportive of my quilting hobby was my sister who once told me that I needed to find a more "age appropriate" passtime... ? Have not figured out what that means yet!

sweetana3

We have two new stores in our city that were started by young women who are so interesting and interested in good customer relations. They are out there.

21quilter

I encourage you to stick with the quilting. I enjoy having young people in the group. We need to have young quilters to encourage businesses that quilting will never die. And I even get excited by seeing young people enjoying the love of quilting. One lady in our group brings her 10 year old granddaughter.....I always make it a point to chat with her and see what she is making.

I expanded into quilting in my late 20's (have been sewing since I was 10) and I was by far the young one in anything that I attended at that point. Yes, quilting groups can be clinky but I have found so much inspiration and feed off the energy of the group that in my experience, the good outweigh the bad. I just joined a new group in 2012 and I have not made any new friends but the energy and renewed sense of getting projects done makes the group well worth my time.

I get discouraged by other people in my life (young and old) that talk about they can't sew a button on something blah, blah, blah and how nuts I am for making quilts.....blah, blah, blah. So I love to hear when young people talk about how they love quilting. I would be hunting you out and chatting with you!!!!!

BellaBoo

Honestly in my guilds and sewing groups when we get a new person, we can tell in no time if the person is serious about quilting, want to be the quilt police, play the group victim, or will contribute to the group. Age has nothing to do with it.

EllieGirl

My quilt guild has a group for young quilters your age!

pamesue

I dont think its your age..(im 54).....I only recently (last couple of years) found a group that i was comfortable with, up till then i just did my own thing. We have a young lady (mid 20's) that will join us a couple times a year and everyone in my group is just gaga over her -everyone is offering her advice/help if she needs it. We love to see young people into quilting, to know that the craft will continue and to appreciate what the older ones leave behind. Don't give up - you can join us anytime :-)