JillD

Hi folks,
For those of you that belong to guilds, do your guilds do classes or workshops on items or other things that are not true " quilting" projects? Our guild does mostly quilted items and quilt workshops, but we have offered a handful of textile-based workshops. Some deem to be crafts and not quilting. Many of these have come directly from other quilt guilds. I have no opinion on this either way, but the original members of The guild wish to keep it 100% quilting only and newer members like the variety. I would just like to know what's happening in other guilds in relation to this because I'm sure discussion will be coming our way within our own guild. Thanks for any feedback

Onebyone

Honestly the quilt programs given by known quilt instructors are too expensive for more then one every other year or so. Once the 'seasoned' members saw what the workshop/class fee would be to even break even having these known quilters (if they would even travel) that they felt was what a guild should have, they decided it was best to have locals. We use as many local artists as possible for workshops and classes. The local art group has wonderful workshops on stamping and ink. We had workshops how to make fabric jewelry, painted quilt designs on wood, origami using fabric, crochet edging for fabrics and really any other interesting workshops that local people are willing to do.

dunster

I would say that both my guilds have quilt-related workshops only. I only attend if it's an instructor with a method that I'm really interested in. The cost to members is only $40 for one guild, and I'm not sure what it is for the other. The guild pays the bulk of the fees from income from dues, opportunity ticket sales, quilt raffle sales, etc. but sometimes the instructor charges a hefty "kit" fee. I have noticed that neither guild has had truly well known speakers in a long time.

JillD

Thank you for getting back to me. Yeah, the expensive workshops is really really crazy these days. Our guild has gone to the local county for a folk art Grant and that actually gives us some money for these more expensive workshops, but you need to keep our members busy and doing interesting things throughout the year so the local artists and craft ideas keep the interest going but not everyone looks at it that way. I really appreciate your getting back on this

JillD

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Our guild offers a lot of workshops by our members as teachers and they're offered for free to members. Our member instructors are paid but only $50 for a half-day workshop which is more than reasonable. We have folks that begrudge them even that much if the subject is not 100% quilt related. They honestly don't realize how lucky they have it to be having free workshops and they're free to attend or not. Some of these are for tote bags and things that are then donated to the guild for their fundraising sales. Folks are also free to take them home. I appreciate getting input from outside guilds.

Onebyone

Talking about guilds. How much is average yearly dues? Ours is $25 which haven't changed from thirty years ago. I suggested the dues be raised to $50 per year. You would have thought I suggested Social Security cuts.

peaceandjoy

We've had a little bit of a crossover in that there was a successful floor mat class (decor weight fabric that was raw edge appliqued on. Most people planned to use them as wall hangings or door decor rather than on the floor.

The education committee also offered a wooden flower painting class that only a couple of people signed up for; it ended up being cancelled as there just wasn't enough interest.

BonnieJP

My guild has a member whose does an education presentation at each meeting. She mostly does demos on quilt blocks etc. But occasionally has done demos on making fabric bowls and other items as well.
Workshops by "famous quilters" always are on quilt topics.

toverly

The classes in our Guild pay for themselves with the expenses divided equally in a class fee. So it isn't an expense for the Guild. People who want to do only "quilting" can't complain, it isn't costing them anything. There have been barn quilt painting, fabric dyeing, the teacher payment (varies).

eparys

While most of our presentations are quilt related, occasionally (such and last month) we have local artisans whose crafts are fabric related. Lat month we had a local gal who hand dyes silk and cotton from natural dyes.