Are you in a local guild? If not, have you ever been? Do you love it? I don’t love our local guild. I’m not sure why I feel the need to be a guild member because since leaving the group in Louisiana, I’ve never been thrilled with the guilds where we’ve lived. I’m sure it’s me — my stay-at-home-be-alone personality. The guild in Kentucky was ok but I never got involved and that’s probably why I never felt a part. The guild in MO had a lot of older ladies (I know . . I’m no spring chicken!) and it seemed like a few of them came the guild ready for a disagreement, no matter what was talked about.
The guild here – the meetings go on and on and on. There’s rarely anything to discuss that they can’t drag what should take 5 minutes into a 20 minute discussion. In the almost year and a half that we’ve been here, I’ve been to either 3 or 4 meetings and they tell me that it’s only when I’m there that the meetings are long. OK . . I can definitely solve that problem! 
I’m sure it’s me and not the guild but still, it’s just not for me.
Yesterday was my turn to bring the block of the month and this is the block I made.
Summer Wind Block
It also happens to be the block that goes into this quilt!
Summer Wind Quilt
The quilt will be a Quilt of Valor to send to Alycia but in order to get the quilt to be the right size, I’m having to use 11″ blocks. That makes for some very weird sized pieces — you know . . those 3/8″ or 5/8″ cuts and I knew better than to present that to the guild so the block they’re making will be 12″. You can get the file January Guild Block if you’d like to make any of those blocks in the 12″ size.
It’s a pretty block and easy to make but it doesn’t look so great with the other blocks on my design wall!
Wrong Block!
Two more full bear paw blocks to make and those will be done. Then I’ll tackle the setting triangles and save the easy chain blocks for the last part of this puzzle.
I’ve never had any desire to join a guild. There are many things I love about living in a rural area… but one thing I don’t care for much is that there seems to be a larger need to know everything about you! Any kind of group activity seems to turn in to gossip hour and I’m not into that at all. I prefer my online quilt guild!
Nope,I’m not in a guild, either.
My problem might be my personality. I don’t always do well with the b.s. that goes along with groups.
I wish I could find a group to be involved with. I think the creative spirit is great to share, unfortunately, I just haven’t found one.
I also have difficulties with most local quilt shops. There aren’t many around, but those that have been seem to be run by “snooty” people. My feeling…if I walk into your shop, you should do your best to be friendly and helpful. Sigh…
Anyway, in answer to your question, no, I don’t belong to a quilt guild.
I thought I was the only one that felt that way about Quilt Shops. Actually, I am lucky that there are two pretty decent ones fairly close to me, but there is one that I have visited that miffs me everytime. It is ran by a woman and her daughter. They usually have at least two or three customers at a time and get involed with one and ignore the others. Irritating.
I am with Deb! Dislike the gossip! A friend on mine was in a local guild for years until she realized after going faithfully and being a part of their shows, raffles and teaching for them, that no one really knew her by name! She left abruptly! She said the friendships weren’t there.
Judy I love the block! And the colors!
I used to be, but the women were so snooty that I left and haven’t been back. I like the people I’ve met on the internet…much more friendly and seem to like the same things I do.
After many years of thinking about leaving the guild I’ve belonged to for probably 20 years, I finally made the decision to just do it this year. It’s become a clique within a clique and I just don’t enjoy it anymore. What should be relaxing is now a “stressor”. I’ll miss some of the people but not the majority of them.
I agree with all of the above, I truly enjoy the stay at home, sew when I want life. I have better things too do with my life than listen to gosipping and back stabbing.
i think we have our own little guild here–with judy as the president ;o)
well, she has the job of many different chairs. she is program director, is in charge of the newsletter, does a great job of show and tell, and….and…and…..now, if i had ever been a part of an actual guild, i would probably know what else to list LOL
i had the displeasure of interpreting for a deaf lady in a quilting class at the local community college. many of the ladies there were members (and many on the boards) of the local guilds. we have 4 or 5 in the area. anyway, the negativity and gossip just affected me sooo badly……it turned me off to ever even going to a guild meeting…….i prefer my own good company and to read online at wonderful places like here where i get great motivation, and great positive encouragement etc……thanks for all you do madame president.
Looks like I’m the odd one out. I really enjoy my guild. The people are friendly, meetings always end on time, and there’s always something interesting presented – a trunk show, or a lesson, or something. I just rejoined this year, after being out for a few due to other commitments – it seems they recently lost some members to a new (daytime) guild in town, but I like the group who are there. I’m not a social person, so I don’t know many of them outside the meetings, but everyone is always friendly and welcoming. You did remind me however that I neglected to make a block for this month. I wonder if I can do it in 1/2 hour.
Not in a guild…never been in one…no desire to join one.
I was in a terrific guild in New Jersey, my first. When we moved to Maryland, I went to 5 or 6 different guilds before I found one I felt “at home” in. And, I love it. It is so wonderful to spend time with others who love quilting, and just want to talk about quilts and quilting and help each other. It’s a shame they aren’t all like that. I am sorry for people who do not have a good one to join. But I understand. If I had had to choose one of the first 5 I went to, I wouldn’t belong to one either.
Nope, I have my online friends.. just not a joiner… in any aspect of my life.
Up until this year, I was in a guild. But the meetings are at night and I just can’t handle driving at night because of my astigmatism and the glare. I haven’t gone to a meeting in 2 years and thought why am I spending this money? I didn’t re-up this year.
I’m in a guild that seems pretty decent. The gals are all pretty nice & we do a lot of charity stuff. Going to get them more involved with QOV though.
Judy, how are you doing the bear paws? Inquiring minds want to know how you did them!
Did you design the bear paw quilt or is it someone elses? I’d like the pattern to make one.
I’ve tried over and over again to be active in a guild but it is just not a good fit for me. Last go around I paid dues for probably 7 years and never could get myself to those neverending business meetings. I would just rather use the time to sew… Guess I’m a failure as a “joiner”. I like to contribute to charity quilting and QOV’s but count me out on the business and endless committee meetings.
I do belong to a guild and I enjoy it for the most part. We have had a lot of bickering the last year and if that continues I will leave the group. I just don’t have time and energy for that kind of thing. The last few meeting have been better so we will see how it goes.
When I moved to KY in 1984 I opened a quilt shop the next year. Knowing that I needed to advertise and contribute to the local guilds in order to have customers I ended up joining 3 local guilds and 2 state guilds. I served in almost every position, elected and volunteer, in the local guilds. When I first joined I had fun, I learned a lot and I shared a lot. I meet many wonderful people. I am not sure it had any real affect on my business, but maybe it got my name out. I also know names got out of other shops that popped up and they never attended any meetings.
Over time I stopped going to two of the guild meetings. I still participated in some of the activities, but they met during the day when I needed to be my shop. They were also at least one hour away, so it was an all day affair.
The local guild that met at night changed. It became started to have clicks and the average quilter was not treated the same as those with much skill or those with status in the community. So when I closed my shop in 2002 I also stopped attending meetings. I don’t like when everyone isn’t treated the same and the average or even poor quilter are not appreciated.
I agree with the comment on clicks and the mistreatment of those who they think are not as experienced or expert a quilter. I am new to quilting and I have gotten more help and direction on how to do things from the internet connections and You Tube videos. Quilt Guilds are supposed to be…I thought…a place where ideas are shared and you learn the art of quilting no matter your ability. I am currently a member of a guild. but probably won’t renew my membership or will become a silent member because there are a few members that I love.
My guild, Trinity Valley Quilters’ Guild of Fort Worth, Texas, is a terrific guild. It is very large…over 300 members, probably half or more come to our monthly meetings regularly…we have great speakers and classes from these speakers which are open to the public. I have found them to be warm and inviting.. But my creative push comes from my smaller group..the Creative Crones of studioQ!! A smaller group..thirteen….who meet monthly to share and learn.
I do belong to a guild, but for several years find it harder and harder to feel ‘part’ of the group. I joined 10 yrs ago as fairly new quilter, and have enjoyed some wonderful guest speaker lectures and trunk shows. In any guild, there’s likely to be the ‘good, the bad, & the ugly’….I’ve come across all three! We have shows every 2nd yr, are ‘self-judged’ and I was disillusioned by the results in one I last entered so haven’t entered again (less about mine and more about a particular one that took an award – made no sense at all, so learned about guild politics!). I chaired a challenge project one year, which also left me quite disillusioned, especially when one of the guild ‘founding members’ slung a heap of profanities at me when she was asked to submit the quilt as instructed on the night they were judged! – Hah, wasn’t my fault she waited until the 9th hour to finish it!
I’m in one of my local guilds and enjoy it. We get lots of speakers, workshops for a really good price (about once a month), great people. It is a fair size guild (190) with varied ages, we meet monthly and then a stitch out night once a month. I think there are a couple of smaller groups but they are during the day and I still work.
I have never belonged to a formal guild and probably never will. I have had the very good fortune to be part of a group of quilters that started at the elementary school where I worked. We all started a BOM together and stayed after school one evening a month to work on it. Kids stayed with Moms and homework got done, pizza was ordered for dinner and lost of visiting and stitching got done. We ventured into other projects as individuals and a group. We continued over summer vacations and I organized a retreat the second summer. We have changed and added and moved and still love each other. We don’t meet once a month still but do frequently and still have a summer retreat. This has to be the best of the best for my need for fellow quilters. I also have been part of online groups for many groups that I love for many years. Reading blogs has also become a part of my quilting life. I have been retired for a few years now and need to keep in touch with the quilting world so depend on Blogland for inspiration.
I used to belong to a guild but had to drop out due to family illness. I do not intend to re-join because I just love being a home sewing and when I do want to go to a guild meeting I find one close by and just visit..
I’ve always loved our guild, and have been a faithful member for nine years. However, while their focus is on our bi-annual quilt show because we make money from it, the money is never spent on hiring teachers! We could have some great ones, but the people who make the call don’t think it’s worth spending a lot of money for well-known teachers when we have people in the guild who can teach. I haven’t been back yet this year, and I’m not sure I will. I will say, though, the first guild I every joined, in Fairfield TX, was fun and productive and busy. They even brought in Cindy Walter from Seattle!
I joined a guild once. Was fairly active until the Quilt Show, which was their big fundraiser for the year. Many people entered and had beautiful quilts, but all the ribbons went to people on the board. After that, I lost all interest. Besides, now I live to far out in the country and just do not want to make that drive at night!!
I am very happy to be a member of our local guild in Ohio. The meeting could drag on. But it’s a “business meeting”. I still go to them. But our guild has so many other things! We have a place that’s like our “club house”. It’s just a place out in the middle of a pasture in an awesome building provided by one of our members. We have tons of opportunities to Sit ‘n Sew, we have a spinning group, there’s a needle turn group, some Saturdays are devoted to kids’ sewing… We do a lot of charity quilts for the community. I’m proud to be a member!
Ahhh…guilds. I belong to two guilds. Currently I am in my second year as President of one of them.. Sounds easy…..it is not. I love the people and we are trying to keep true to the original mission statement of the guild. It is difficult at times. I also just joined one of the modern quilt guilds. I don’t know if I fit in.
I’m trying though. Nice people.
I do love a good BOM though! I might have to look up that block you did, Judy. It is pretty.
Belong to 2 guilds plus the state guild. Also have a small group of friends who meet weekly. Both guilds have lots of fun projects and members seem to support each other. Our small group produced a quilt that is traveling the country in big shows. It just won best in category and Viewers Choice in the Oklahoma Winter show.. The first time something I have been involved with actually won something. The only friction in the one group is about having “lunch” Most prefer not to eat a lot late in the evening but a few keep wanting snacks. It keeps getting voted down and then someone brings snacks and it all starts up again. The other group if you want something, a drink or coffee, you bring your own. Works out great. I’ve learned so much from fellow members. Occasionally there will be someone who tries to spark dissension, but .as a whole, it doesn’t go far. So yes, I do enjoy the guilds and especially my small group.
I joined a guild for two reasons.. 1). My sister-in-law wanted to find a guild and I agreed to check out the local one (she never joined, I did!) and 2) I had hoped a guild would inspire me, teach me (this one, it turns out, did/does neither…)
Somehow I ended up their webmaster when a good percentage don’t have a cyber clue (many don’t even have email!), and now feel I can’t leave without leaving them in the lurch.
My major objection is the domination of the programming by people who don’t want to pay for good speakers so we end up with two or three a year by the local 4-H maven who turns it into a “look how wonderful ‘I’ am” fest.. Also, meetings, at night, run way too long because of the emphasis on show-and-tell (and since they are at night, I have to drive home on rural roads— Not my favorite”)
I love my local guild. It was started about 10 years ago by a group of women who also belonged to a larger group (located about 30 miles from here). The larger group was all about Robert’s Rules of Order, a quilt show, required community service, and many other committees. When these women started the local guild, they said they didn’t want any of those commitments. So this guild has no commitments, a 15-minute monthly meeting, show and tell, and tips and tricks. Then we have a workshop, given by a member, or non-member, always at a nominal fee of $5 – $15). We have a maximum of 50 members, though most months we have about 30 attendees. It’s low-key and relaxing. When I joined the group I was a total beginner. In the usual, warm way of quilters, I was greeted with open arms and helped along the way. And, of course, just as I was helped, I now help the newcomers. I think I am truly blessed to be part of such a fine group in our very small community.
I belong to a guild and I love it. I know several of the women from my Sunday School class, so that probably helps. There is gossip, but I try to stay outside all that and get along with everyone. Even when the meetings go long or get disorganized, I think of them as an episode of Seinfeld. If you remember the TV series, they talked about the same things over and over.
I used to love my guild. But when DH got sick, I pretty much dropped out of quilting..just seemed so trivial compared to what we were facing. Now the guild has really gotten bad speaker-wise (no one that I’m really interested in) that I doubt I’ll go back. There’s another local guild in Ft. Worth that’s a day guild–would probably be more interested in that one but at this point in time not enough to go.
“a few of them came the guild ready for a disagreement, no matter what was talked about.” My reason exactly for not renewing my guild membership in MT. There is one woman in that group that is just evil! Not worth my time!
After bailing out of a larger guild that I was quite involved in we started a small one in our county – it has NO officers, NO bylaws and to be a member – everyone has to contribute by taking turns doing programs/ being meeting leaders. We gather to celebrate quilting – have a fabulous show and tell and learn new things. It is great.
I don’t belong to a guild but do have a quilt group that I meet with. A group of friends have met for about 10 years. We have projects, show and tell, have sew days and we get together twice a year to have a retreat. We meet at a church every other Thursday night. We put a dollar in the bucket each week and all the money is donated to the church for letting us meet there. We have so much fun together, motivate and encourage each other.
Yes, I am in a local guild and have been since the guild began in 1995. We started with 27 charter members and now have well over 100 members. I’m sorry to read about the frustrations everyone has experienced. Our guild’s founding members were guided by Mildred Locke, who was the founding president of Tennessee Valley Quilters Assoc. Mildred showed us how to begin and structure the guild. We meet once per month on Saturdays for the people who work. Our business meetings last about 15 minutes, which are mostly announcements of upcoming classes or projects. We have had well known teachers come and give classes and we often have our members give classes. Each year, our officers choose a charity project to work on throughout the year. Each meeting we have a potluck lunch prepared by a committee of ten (which rotates each month) and after lunch we have “Show and Tell”.
Seeing what everyone is making is always inspiring. Every year, we take a bus to the AQS Show in Paducah. I believe our guild name says it all, Friendship Quilters.
My wife and I belong to a local guild with about 100 members. The guild does both QOV’s and charity (child and nursing home quilts). It’s a pretty prolific group – there are always 15 to 20 people showing their work at the monthly meetings. There is almost always a program with a speaker from the area.
I tried…really, I did. 4 different guilds over the years and I was on committees in 2 of them. Where I am, the guilds are large. It seems that a *lot* of the members are focused on the guild show and “Show & Tell” so people that aren’t productive seem to leave quickly. When I left the last guild, going to the meeting was more like a job! I had to have something to show or be ignored. I’m just as happy at home with the internet
I always wanted to join a guild, but I work full time and commute about 2.5 hours a day, so it’s not in the cards, maybe until I retire.
I’d rather just have friends who came over to quilt with me. I have plenty of room.
I’ve never been a member of a guild until I moved here. Yes the meetings do drag out long sometimes but I enjoy the programs and most of the members nd guess that out weighs the occasional long meeting. There was a period when I went back to work that I wasn’t able to go to the meetings and my enthusiam and inspirationn dropped! Hope you give it another chance.
Love your guild block. I don’t think eighths are unusual measurements. It’s the 16ths that I don’t really like too much!
I’ve never joined a local guild. Well, I paid guild dues to one in another town for a couple of years so I could attend their retreat, but never went to meetings. Never has been time working the hours I do.
I like my guild … but it took me getting involved to really like it and feel a part of it. It’s a big one — membership runs between 200 and 300. Sometimes more in show years. I like the guild, but I love my smaller stitcher’s group. That’s the one I go on retreat with!
I don’t belong to a guild, the closest one is 90 minutes from the house in downtown Portland. We do have a group that meets in our town every other week it’s a textile club so you can work on all sorts of stuff. Sometimes I think about joining it so I could learn to knit socks!
I loved my guild in southeast PA (Calico Cutters); it was the only thing I really missed when we started full-timing. It took a while to get really into things, but we had great, interesting speakers every month and an active, talented community. I still keep in touch with my friends from guild several years after we sold our house there.
Since we’ve been on the road I’ve gone to a few meetings here and there but we’re not in one spot long enough to get to know folks well.
I belong to a great guild (sometimes). I belong to Baltimore Heritage Quilters Guild and it’s a great group – I choose to not get involved in the political stuff and just do my thing. We have a mini group called The Stitch Witches and I love the mini group. It’s very inspirational, we do our own thing, meet regularly between guild meetings for S & B, in fact we’re meeting at my house on Friday. I’ve made some very dear friends in my mini group and I go to our Come and Go Retreats where I can sleep in my own bed but I choose not to go to the overnight retreats. I volunteer for some things but not for much. Our guild is very well organized, well run, has great speakers and workshops and our President is great at keeping to an agenda and making sure we’re out on time. I’ve belonged to other groups that I haven’t felt comfortable with or even welcome to, another group I used to belong to is Friendship Quilter’s who are a wonderful group too, I keep in touch with some of the ladies from there but due to time constraints and distance I can’t get to their meetings – I miss them!!
I love the idea of being in a guild, or a bee or a chapter, or whatever one calls it. I love the thought of going and quilting with friends, now and then doing a class project together, getting together around a frame. Sadly, none of that ever seems to happen when I go to guilds. Like you, I’ve found that meetings go on forever, and the fun part is pretty short. I’ve been to a few meetings in CA, as a guest, that were fun, but it was always a special program.
I’m a member of a guild which I enjoy. It’s a large guild and people can get as involved as they want or not. We have some good speakers (and some I don’t enjoy, but others may). I enjoy our yearly quilt show (500+ quilts enter). I especially like the charity work the guild does. We also have ‘satellite’ groups which are smaller and great friendships can be made. That said, it is hard to go out at night to the meetings!
I joined when I moved here to meet people. Talk about click. Whew! Not very inviting. I tried for a few times, didn’t work for me. Then I heard a yr later there had been a big split. Gave it another try. Nice enough this time but over the top boring. They were too cheap to get speakers. They had members do the program,. Really boring. Meetings went on forever. No, didn’t work for me. Plus I had to drive 30 miles each way to be bored. Not happening again. I’ll just stay home and sew.
I think it has been 5 years now since our group started in Canada. At the beginning just a few of us knew how to quilt, but everyone was welcome and they learned! We did a simple group quilt and hand quilted it. One elderly lady in the nursing home donated her sewing machine. Other people bought their very first sewing machines and we taught how to thread them! We still do simple, hand quilted raffle quilts (proceeds to the group), but also very complex raffle quilts (proceeds go to local charities). The group has been able to bring in some teachers. We do a large show every 2 years (we have had 2). We don’t meet in the summer because everyone is gardening. Truthfully, more times than not – most of us bring sock knitting or handwork, but there are days when we tote in the sewing machines. We are very informal and I like it very much. I have been to other groups in different places and they don’t seem as friendly. Maybe it just depends on the group. Cheers! Evelyn
I enjoy being in a quilt guild. The programs are interesting and I have learned much. I also enjoy being around “quilt speak”. The sew/share is inspiring too. I was new to KY three years ago and all were cordial but distant and I felt kind of alone for a long time. I thought about not joining the second year but kept on and now I’m accepted way more. Don’t give up…keep on going. And if you’ve been in the guild a long time make an effort to speak to new members.
No, not a guild member. I live in the “boonies” for a good reason. I’m not a joiner. I want to stay away from all groups because like so many aforementioned, there’s too much B.S, gossip, cliques, and snooty people. I’ve never taken a quilting class, I’ve learned quilting from books, magazines and “my” quilting blogs, Because I’ve had enough of high powered business where I had to dress the part, I now live in sweats when it’s cold, shorts when it’s hot. I am ALWAYS covered with strings. I like it that way. Quilt shops look at me as if I had leprosy! So I buy on line. I think I have talent and I have something to give back, so when I meet someone who wants to learn quilting, I mentor them. You can not believe how happy I am!
My experience? Just try to meet with online quiltfriends
, they seem to fit better withmy personality, open-minded, efficient and friendly. Yes I’m serious.
the last guild i belonged to was basically run for the sole benefit of it’s officers–the rest of us members just didn’t count.! Another thing i didn’t like was that the dues weren’t pro-rated according to the month you joined. you could join one month before the next year’s dues started and still have to pay for the whole previous year.
where i live is at the outskirts of 3 different guilds, each of which holds meetings and shows about 1 1/2 hurs away from where i live. So no more guilds for me!
Judy thanks for putting up the alternate block for your new quilt. that was the one that i couldn’t figure out, but your new quilt is definitely on my ‘want to make’ list!
I love that quilt! The block…the colors are awesome. So bright and crisp!
I belong to a large guild -more than 600 members-and I really like it. We have nationally known speakers/workshops and offer retreats for those who like that venue. I also belong to a neighborhood bee which gathers for more one-on-one advice and sharing. The full time job sometimes cuts into my actual sewing time, but the camaraderie of the guild/bee are priceless.
I used to be a member of two chapters in my local guild. I dropped one this year for two reasons. One was time: they meet at night. I still have a teen at home and a husband that travels. I like to go to his games and activities, so no quilting at night. The 2nd reason was because I never really clicked with them. They were nice and I am sure it is because I didn’t have the time to join into many of their activities. The other chapter I am in is the long armers. I will stay in that one. It only meets every other month. It is nice to have someone who speaks the same language! My husband looks at me like I’m speaking Greek! I also sew with 2 small non-guild groups. THOSE I really LOVE. I have to be on my death bed to miss those! We have all levels and take new quilters in with gusto! Judy I love that quilt! Will you be offering the other block as well? That quilt is on my bucket list!
I currently belong to two guilds (one is a club, but is just like a guild) that have over 100 members each and a couple of smaller “bee” groups. I joined these when I was new to the area and wanted to meet people. I continue my memberships to keep in touch with what is going on in the local quilting community. Yes, business meetings are frequently much too long and sometimes the speakers are boring, but the guilds have wonderful libraries and the show and tell of members’ quilts is not to be missed!
I am a new member of a guild in a new town. I knew no one. I immediately volumetered for guild duties so that I could meet people. We meet monthly, have some programs but mostly it’s a chance for people who already know each other to visit and eat. long standing friendships have already been formed; New people are not readily welcomed into the fold even if they do a bunch of work to prove themselves..they have to create their own groups. The same people seem to run things even when they don’t hold an office in the guild. It is similar to aspects in military life. Even though I am an experienced quilter, I feel invisible and am treated as if I am inexperienced. Thank you Judy for posting this topic and thanks to all who candidly responded. I really am not alone and not crazy…. which are words I used to describe my guild experience to my sisters back home.
I am sorry for everyones bad experiences with guilds. I belong to a small guild (about 40 people) and I enjoy it immensely. I am one of the younger members (in my 30′s) most people are 60+ but I do not see this as a problem. There are active members in their 90′s and it is a joy to talk to them and learn from them. As long as I have been a member there has not been large disagreements and our meetings are not a gossip fest. There are people who join that don’t even quilt, because it is a great group of ladies. We have retreats and a yearly show. We try to go good in the community and a lot of the members are very active in other charitable organizations in the community. Last year we donated over 100 quilts to various organizations. I joined when I first moved here and felt welcome and have made many friends and I have talked to other people who joined soon after moving here and they felt welcome and accepted. I wish everyone would be able to have this experience.
I do not currently belong to a guild, as they meet at night. I’m just not into doing stuff at night. I’m weird.
Before moving to Florida I belonged o a guild for 10 years. As a matter of fact I was in the same guild Joanne Caglione just bailed from! LOL Jo and I are buds! Hi Jo!
I was very involved, and enjoyed it mostly. There is always stuff to deal with when you have more than ten people to consider, so it can make some things not fun. For the most part I look back on that guild with fond memories. I really miss the friends I made. I wish I could have the same thing here, but for some reason I can’t make myself. Age I guess, stubbornness , laziness. Probably all of the above.
I am a new member of a guild in a new town. I knew no one. I immediately volunteered for guild duties so that I could meet people. We meet monthly, have some programs but mostly it’s a chance for people who already know each other to visit and eat. long standing friendships have already been formed; New people are not readily welcomed into the fold even if they do a bunch of work to prove themselves..they have to create their own groups. The same people seem to run things even when they don’t hold an office in the guild. It is similar to aspects in military life. Even though I am an experienced quilter, I feel invisible and am treated as if I am inexperienced. Thank you Judy for posting this topic and thanks to all who candidly responded. I really am not alone and not crazy…. which are words I used to describe my guild experience to my sisters back home.
I joined two local guilds that met just a few miles apart. I stuck with one for a couple of years then left because there were so many cliques and the members would say “hi” and then walk away. I still belong to the other guild. It is warm, welcoming and I look forward to the meetings every month. My mini-group of 8 guild members have become wonderful friends and some of the most supportive ladies I know. I admire the ladies that must quilt all day long and bring quilts to “show and share” every month but I’m not one of them. I have too many interests and responsibilities to devote that much time to just one thing. But I can admire, learn and be inspired by them and isn’t that what it’s all about.
Joined a small guild last year. Have only been to 4 meetings. They are more a show and tell with snacks
though they did a shop hop in Oct. and the Dec. meeting was dinner at a local restaurant-more ladies came to that than make it to the meetings. It’s just nice to visit with other ladies that have the same interest that I do.
I belong to the guild at my northern address, but only get to attend 3 meetings and a dinner each year. I participate as much as possible while I’m there, and make quilts to be donated through our Community Quilt program, which has a quilting day once a month. The only other participating I do is when the quilt show comes along. DH and I photograph all the quilts in the show and produce a CD with all the “artist statements” and a picture of each quilt, which is sold during and following the show. I don’t work in any of the mini sewing groups that have formed, and I’m really a “work at home on my own” type of person too. I guess doing dressmaking/tailoring at home for so many years developed the habit.
I have only been to three meetings, but my guild has the good and the bad. There are about 50 members in attendance, and they aren’t very welcoming. They are friendly if you approach them, but they don’t go out of the way to greet you. If I hadn’t gone with a friend I would not have returned. So far the programs have been great, so I will see if I still want to be there when it’s time to pay dues again.
I think you know my answer to that question.
I helped with the quilt show last fall because I adore my longarm quilter and she was the chairman and needed my ranch wife muscles. LOL. I know many of the people in the guild and now they wonder why I am not a member. Jackie said that was one of the topics at the meeting after the quilt show. But, you know me, it requires a trip to town so the answer is no. I put in my time making trips to town when the kids were growing. 4-H, Church choir, music lessons, Missoula Theatre, baseball. I am done. The children are social. despite being homeschooled. 
Me, not so much.
I thoroughly enjoyed my Guild with good speakers, a great library and quilts made for our local hospital. It was a great way to meet all sorts of people. However, a few years ago, a group of sub groups with 10-12 members started and made their own rules. I joined two and really enjoy them immensely. I saw beautiful quilts, made great friendships, ate good food and looked forward every month for these outings. I would not have had this experience if I had not joined the main Guild. Every group, quilt guild or not, is different so it’s worth a try.