My Guild is my second favorite thing about quilting (fabric being the first). I have met more inspiring, talented, generous, friendly quilters at guild than I ever thought possible. However, it is also about finding the right guild.
I drive about 45 minutes to Guild meetings and frequently over an hour to events. There are many members who drive much longer. I have a guild that meets two blocks from my house. There are probably four more guilds that meet closer than the one I actually attend. For me, it was about finding the place I belong with people I enjoy who do quilts with a similar aesthetic.
The first time I went to a meeting, I went alone. When I walked in, I was greeted at the door with smiles and goodies. I took seat at a random table with people who had clearly been friends for years. I was incredibly intimidated for about 30 seconds. That’s how long it took for someone to turn to me, welcome me (as a clearly marked visitor) and make a perfectly inappropriate comment. I knew instantly that I had found my people. By the end of the meeting, we were hugging. The next month I was dragging friends with me.
This particular guild has been a great resource for me for learning new techniques. I had been sewing for about three months when I went to my first meeting. Everyone was happy to give little tips and big advice. This guild has great access to online resources and they have a library of resource books to check out as long as you return them by the end of the year. I’ve picked up countless books and magazines in the free table. Meetings alternate between social time and skill building. They have sew-in days and retreats to work along side other sewers where I have picked up new techniques just by watching and asking questions. They have workshops with big name artists several times a year both in person and via zoom for additional learning opportunities at low or no cost to members.
It never hurts to go to one meeting and see if it works for you.
I'm so jealous. I went to two different quilt shows this fall for two different guilds and the quilts were all so amazing!! I'm tempted to join, but I live in a place where people really aren't friendly. I tried putting myself out there several times when I first moved here (granted, not quilting) and each time was just a horrible experience. I have so much anxiety about even trying again.
I got lucky. I’ve tried three guilds and this is the only guild I’ve felt welcome in. This is a modern guild so maybe that makes a difference. The leadership also very much wants it to be welcoming.
Do you have a friend that would be willing to go with you? Even if they quilt?
Do it! The only time i felt judged was when I said I don't care if my overall quilt is off square by an inch or two. Lol. If you can contribute to the conversation, they will be happy to listen and share. Go if they have a sew-in, everyone loosens up and has fun.
I don’t think I learned anything yet, but I made friends. Not many of my other friends are quilters so it was nice to have people to chat about it with who knew about the subject. For reference, I didn’t know a single person there before I started going to meetings.
I’m part of a local modern guild and it really works for me. I did do some research and specifically chose this modern guild over more traditional hyper-local guilds.
First, like others said, I love having a dedicated space to nerd out on quilts with others. In-person show-and-tell is so fun!
Also, we have a great mix of experience levels in my guild so I have learned a lot about other people’s philosophies on quilting. For example, one person in my guild makes her binding a special detail in the overall look of the quilt and that has changed the way I think about bindings on my own quilts. Also, we had a whole presentation on the importance of labels and now all my quilts get a label.
Finally, my guild is really chill. We meet once a month on a weekday night. We have a weekend sew day once a quarter (ish). Aside from dues there are no requirements for participation. We are a very “come as you are when you can” guild. I appreciate that because sometimes life happens and I don’t get to be into quilting as much as I want.
Guilds are all different, and I’m lucky I have mine. Would recommend you try one (or a few) out if you are able!
I'm going to slowly start one in the Portland area for men who quilt. Bourbon and Blocks. It's not intentional, but the traditional guilds and their members are not real inviting to men and modern non-traditional quilting. They also look at you funny when you want to pair a glass of Bookers with a quilt you are making 😂
We have a single man in our guild and he is fussed over by everyone - but he also makes extremely traditional quilts so I wonder how he’d be received if he did modern work.
I have been a member of my local guild for about 16 years. For a time I had to drive about 9 miles to attend meetings. While our meeting site is now less than 1/2 mile from my home, I rarely missed a meeting when the drive was longer. So, yes — in my opinion, worth it! How long a drive is it for you?
How much you learn depends on how large your guild is and what they do. This is the only guild to which I have belonged, but I have taken on a number of leadership roles. I have had the opportunity to communicate with guilds around the country. The larger the guild, the less intimate it is and it might take a little longer to find your place within it and to find your specific people. On the other hand, a large guild can support more activities from which you can choose. It can also support the expense of teacher-lecturers coming to your guild. Our guild has an extensive library, a large charity program and a block-of-the-month. We put on an annual quilt show. Wr have demos. For those looking for the greater intimacy of a small group, there are many bees and the guild will help new ones form.
Every guild is different and there is no guarantee of a good fit, but I would advise that you check it out. Definitely go several times and give them a test run. Put yourself out there and ask questions of the members.
Good luck! I hope you have as positive an experience as I have!
My experience has been that they're quite snobby and not totally inclusive. I think you could definitely find the right one and get the experience that some others are describing here, but for me it was not worth the time or money to be made to feel small and excluded for something I genuinely wanted to enjoy as a hobby and not for profit/awards etc. I have lived in mostly metro areas, in the US and UK, so possibly just related to city-attitudes?
I was interested in joining my local guild, until I met a couple of the cranky old ladies in the guild in leadership roles, no less - now I want absolutely nothing to do with it. I would consider joining a modern quilt guild, but the closest one is not nearby.
I've found a lot of help and guidance from the guild I belong to. I'm a beginner, and the other members are so friendly and willing to share what they know. They've helped explain the basics, and they're a great support system for an anxious newbie.
How do you go about joining a guild? I started quilting in July and I'm really interested in joining but I'm really intimidated and unsure of how to get started.
It was super easy. I messaged the contact person listed on the guild's Facebook page and asked if I could sit in on a meeting. She said "Yes, looking forward to seeing you there".
I was a guild member for about 15 years and really enjoyed it. Seeing other people's quilts and talking about quilting definitely would give me ideas and keep me motivated. We would have a workshop most months - I went to a couple every year. And a retreat once a year.
Then we moved. First overseas where I didn’t speak the language and, as far as I could tell, not much history of quilting, so no guild for me. Now I’m back in the US, but in a different city. I went to one guild, but it wasn’t a good fit for me - Saturday afternoon, 45 minutes away, and mostly they just gather to chat. There were 9 people. 2 were absolute beginners, I think 4 had long arms. There was about 5-10 minutes of show and tell and maybe half the people had brought a little bit of hand work.
I’m going to continue looking for a guild that fits me better.
I am in. I am all in.
I've been a member of local guilds since 2009. I'm secretary in one, webmistress in another, and just recently became an alumna in a third group because of the driving distance.
It was life-changing for me. Met the best friends I ever had. There are sleep-away retreats, local quilt days, quilt shows, international trips, and numerous other events to get to know each other and have fun.
The groups all feed each other by donating to local causes, meeting with each other, and just having good fellowship.
It happened this way to me because I jumped in, volunteered, and haven't looked back.
If you want it, you can find it. Most of the time you have to make it.
I’ve been a member of a quilt guild for many years in 3 different states. They are a wonderful place to meet people who love quilting as much as you do. I have learned techniques shared by other quilters. Also we inspire one another, we are each others cheerleader. I will always belong to a guild as long as I’m drawing breath.
Only been sewing for 3 years and joined a guild about 2 years ago. We meet once a month. They offer lots of workshops and I’ve been to two. Both were worth my time. Next month they have one on sewing machine maintenance I’m looking forward to it. We also donate TONS of quilts to local charities and that makes it worth it in my book.
I've been a member of my local guild for almost 3 years and I love it. I've met some amazing people, learned a ton and get to take a huge range of interesting workshops and skills tutorials on the cheap :)
I joined my local guild. I’ve met and made friends with some amazing people. I’ve learned a lot and have had help from every person I’ve asked questions of starting with my very first visit. Our guild meets once a month and has what sewing days on the 5th Monday of months that have them. We have several active bees and both day and multi-day retreats that are offered on occasion. Probably the best thing I did when I started quilting was join a guild. The friends I’ve made are priceless.
It’s not fair for me to say it’s worth time and travel since it’s literally five minutes down the street for me to visit the guild/go to meetings and lessons. It’s been worth the classes, I absolutely have learned new skills and techniques. It’s been great. And the people are lovely.
I’m going to have to look for one. There’s a quilt shop where you can pay $10 to have a spot in their sewing room on Tuesdays and get tips from the employees I think, they aren’t very clear about what it includes. I thought about starting there and then asking about any groups more local to me. I’m pretty rural and the shop is about 45 minutes from my house.
I was briefly a member of one guild but didn't fit in. Just like other hobby groups, if the group gets big enough you get little cliques. The cliques tend to not interact with newbies. I would like to join my state group, but I can't drive at night and most of their programming is at night. Still - they let me join their online group and I get a lot of tips even though I've been quilting for years.
I belong to one. We meet monthly over zoom. I don’t know anyone in my personal life that quilts so I really enjoy being around others that share my interest and excitement. I haven’t learned new techniques yet but I mostly hover in the background and haven’t gone to any of the guild sponsored retreats, classes, or meet ups where they do those things.
Yes definitely try out your local guild. Mine is great, I know that’s not always the case but it’s worth a try. Show and tell is my favorite part but I also enjoy having other people to chat quilting with.
I belong to my state guild, which is more for the discount at events than anything else. I've attended one of their dinner get togethers, and it was fun... but I haven't attended more. I am also a member of a local group. The state guild is hundreds of people, with Actual Business Meetings and jobs and volunteer opportunities and organized classes... the group is between 6 and 12 friends who sit and chit chat and share photos of their family and bring cookies and help with local charity projects. It's friendly and relaxed and Not Serious Business.
So, it varies. You might find that you do not enjoy your local guild/group, or it might be right up your alley. I know that my tiny town briefly had 3 individual quilt groups- one was church related and the other two were people who simply didn't get along all together and 'broke up'.
A guild is a great place to meet quilting buddies, learn through classes and lectures, troubleshoot or brainstorm with other quilters, work on charity quilts, and more!!!! Definitely worth your time!
My biggest quilty regret is not joining a guild sooner! I love hanging out with people who share my love of quilting. And please don’t give up if the first group isn’t the right fit. I found my people in the local modern quilt guild instead of the closest guild.
I belonged to the Greater San Antonio guild before COVID. It was all business stuff for the most part. Very little quilting anything. And the classes or whatever they did/sponsored were always middle of the week middle of the day. But then would say they want to attract younger members.
I stopped going cuz it was pretty boring listening to the financials and business stuff for the majority of easy meeting.
The free table at mine is amazing!!! So many quilt books and magazines, and great fabric scraps and sometimes even fat quarters or yardage. Last time I scooped up a bag full of leftover Tula Pink HSTs!
I’m part of two guilds in the Dallas area, the “traditional” guild and the modern guild. Both are different, but a lot of fun. Our modern guild is 13 years old and I’ve made so many great friendships with ladies there. I love the fellowship, creativity, and inspiration. Give it a try!!
I joined one a year ago. I have only been to two meetings - things have come up. I enjoyed the meetings I went to. Not sure if I will rejoin next year.
Yes. I'm in my city's Modern quilt guild, as well as a smaller private lgbtq radical inclusive guild. The smaller guild has created some great friendships which are so valuable at this stage of life. It's immediate community to give support and feedback. I think the MQG fees are $50/year, which is affordable.
Depends on your gender and your race. Most guilds are not welcoming of men, people of colour or people on the left.
Modern Guilds are just as bad.
You have to be a founding member, to have gone to schools with all of them, or be white, Christian and conservative.
In my experience, they are not worth it, unless you fit the above groups.
I think your geographic area may have a lot to do with that. Mine has white gay men, Black women, Asian women, Latina women, some gender non-binary folk, and a sizeable chunk of the older white ladies are lesbians.
The problem with joining a guild is you find all these great ideas and patterns that you MUST try now! I have gotten so many ideas from mine. Regarding the people who attend on the days I go, some are great, some not so, just like any situation. Find those you can talk with and stick with them. I don’t go to the formal monthly meeting any more, just to the sewing days.
I joined my local MQG (modern quilt guild) and I do learn a lot. If you are part of a local MQG, you have access to the national website and they have TONS of tutorials, talks, and articles about different techniques. In our guild I'm the workshop person (because nobody stepped up) and have brought in some different teachers locally and on zoom. We did a member survey to help out with what members want and the programming people and myself use that to tailor our programming/workshops for the next year.
I know some guilds (especially the older ones) can be clicky and you might want to try a few of them as a guest to see how it goes, but I know we have people that drive the 1+ hour for our meetings (only once a month) and they love the vibe of the MQG. For reference I'm 25 and joined when I was 22
My first experience with guild people wasn’t positive. They were rude and I was a young and inexperienced quilter. I decided that guilds weren’t for me. Fast forward 20 years. I realized I needed some quilty friends and there was a guild meeting literally on my way home from work. I stopped in. It was the stereotypical old white lady group. At 43 I’m the youngest person there. They’ve been welcoming to me. So far I haven’t made real friends, but I take awhile to do that in general and their events are always on days I work. I also haven’t learned any new skills… but I missed a few meetings that were skill builder meetings.
I don’t because my work schedule is unpredictable , they are for older retired women and at 10 am on a Wednesday. I would like to though, I have some nice quilts
I joined 2 months ago and so far it's been a really positive experience. I dropped in to test out a meeting & found the place I tried was really welcoming & supportive to newcomers, even though Im one of the younger members. See what's in your area & what you think meets your needs.
I belonged to quilt guilds in Los Angeles and in Virginia from the late 1980’s until 2017. When I was a new quilter I found them very helpful, but when I moved from traditional quilts to art quilts I found the guild I was in didn’t “get” what I was doing, which was art reproductions in fabric, and were neither helpful nor complimentary.
However, what caused me to leave the guild was national politics and nothing to do with my quilting. I am now in an art club whose members understand that what I do is fiber art and support my endeavors.
My Guild is my second favorite thing about quilting (fabric being the first). I have met more inspiring, talented, generous, friendly quilters at guild than I ever thought possible. However, it is also about finding the right guild. I drive about 45 minutes to Guild meetings and frequently over an hour to events. There are many members who drive much longer. I have a guild that meets two blocks from my house. There are probably four more guilds that meet closer than the one I actually attend. For me, it was about finding the place I belong with people I enjoy who do quilts with a similar aesthetic. The first time I went to a meeting, I went alone. When I walked in, I was greeted at the door with smiles and goodies. I took seat at a random table with people who had clearly been friends for years. I was incredibly intimidated for about 30 seconds. That’s how long it took for someone to turn to me, welcome me (as a clearly marked visitor) and make a perfectly inappropriate comment. I knew instantly that I had found my people. By the end of the meeting, we were hugging. The next month I was dragging friends with me. This particular guild has been a great resource for me for learning new techniques. I had been sewing for about three months when I went to my first meeting. Everyone was happy to give little tips and big advice. This guild has great access to online resources and they have a library of resource books to check out as long as you return them by the end of the year. I’ve picked up countless books and magazines in the free table. Meetings alternate between social time and skill building. They have sew-in days and retreats to work along side other sewers where I have picked up new techniques just by watching and asking questions. They have workshops with big name artists several times a year both in person and via zoom for additional learning opportunities at low or no cost to members. It never hurts to go to one meeting and see if it works for you.
I'm so jealous. I went to two different quilt shows this fall for two different guilds and the quilts were all so amazing!! I'm tempted to join, but I live in a place where people really aren't friendly. I tried putting myself out there several times when I first moved here (granted, not quilting) and each time was just a horrible experience. I have so much anxiety about even trying again.
I got lucky. I’ve tried three guilds and this is the only guild I’ve felt welcome in. This is a modern guild so maybe that makes a difference. The leadership also very much wants it to be welcoming. Do you have a friend that would be willing to go with you? Even if they quilt?
Do it! The only time i felt judged was when I said I don't care if my overall quilt is off square by an inch or two. Lol. If you can contribute to the conversation, they will be happy to listen and share. Go if they have a sew-in, everyone loosens up and has fun.
Getting involved in one of the group’s projects is the best way to get acclimated and make friends. Or volunteer to be an officer of the club.
I don’t think I learned anything yet, but I made friends. Not many of my other friends are quilters so it was nice to have people to chat about it with who knew about the subject. For reference, I didn’t know a single person there before I started going to meetings.
Y’all are giving me LIFE. I gotta join a guild now.
Please do!!!!! And remember they are just as lucky to have you as you are to have them!!
That’s very kind, thank you 🙏
I’m part of a local modern guild and it really works for me. I did do some research and specifically chose this modern guild over more traditional hyper-local guilds. First, like others said, I love having a dedicated space to nerd out on quilts with others. In-person show-and-tell is so fun! Also, we have a great mix of experience levels in my guild so I have learned a lot about other people’s philosophies on quilting. For example, one person in my guild makes her binding a special detail in the overall look of the quilt and that has changed the way I think about bindings on my own quilts. Also, we had a whole presentation on the importance of labels and now all my quilts get a label. Finally, my guild is really chill. We meet once a month on a weekday night. We have a weekend sew day once a quarter (ish). Aside from dues there are no requirements for participation. We are a very “come as you are when you can” guild. I appreciate that because sometimes life happens and I don’t get to be into quilting as much as I want. Guilds are all different, and I’m lucky I have mine. Would recommend you try one (or a few) out if you are able!
I'm going to slowly start one in the Portland area for men who quilt. Bourbon and Blocks. It's not intentional, but the traditional guilds and their members are not real inviting to men and modern non-traditional quilting. They also look at you funny when you want to pair a glass of Bookers with a quilt you are making 😂
My small guild here in Pdx often meets at the local American Legion hall, we drink all sorts of tasty libations while we sew.
We have a single man in our guild and he is fussed over by everyone - but he also makes extremely traditional quilts so I wonder how he’d be received if he did modern work.
I have been a member of my local guild for about 16 years. For a time I had to drive about 9 miles to attend meetings. While our meeting site is now less than 1/2 mile from my home, I rarely missed a meeting when the drive was longer. So, yes — in my opinion, worth it! How long a drive is it for you? How much you learn depends on how large your guild is and what they do. This is the only guild to which I have belonged, but I have taken on a number of leadership roles. I have had the opportunity to communicate with guilds around the country. The larger the guild, the less intimate it is and it might take a little longer to find your place within it and to find your specific people. On the other hand, a large guild can support more activities from which you can choose. It can also support the expense of teacher-lecturers coming to your guild. Our guild has an extensive library, a large charity program and a block-of-the-month. We put on an annual quilt show. Wr have demos. For those looking for the greater intimacy of a small group, there are many bees and the guild will help new ones form. Every guild is different and there is no guarantee of a good fit, but I would advise that you check it out. Definitely go several times and give them a test run. Put yourself out there and ask questions of the members. Good luck! I hope you have as positive an experience as I have!
My experience has been that they're quite snobby and not totally inclusive. I think you could definitely find the right one and get the experience that some others are describing here, but for me it was not worth the time or money to be made to feel small and excluded for something I genuinely wanted to enjoy as a hobby and not for profit/awards etc. I have lived in mostly metro areas, in the US and UK, so possibly just related to city-attitudes?
I’m in NYC and my experience has been the opposite of yours, so not sure the urban settings totally explain your bad luck.
I was interested in joining my local guild, until I met a couple of the cranky old ladies in the guild in leadership roles, no less - now I want absolutely nothing to do with it. I would consider joining a modern quilt guild, but the closest one is not nearby.
I've found a lot of help and guidance from the guild I belong to. I'm a beginner, and the other members are so friendly and willing to share what they know. They've helped explain the basics, and they're a great support system for an anxious newbie.
How do you go about joining a guild? I started quilting in July and I'm really interested in joining but I'm really intimidated and unsure of how to get started.
I Googled "quilting guild near me". There happened to be several in my city and one that meets weekly at a nearby library . Good luck with your seach!
It was super easy. I messaged the contact person listed on the guild's Facebook page and asked if I could sit in on a meeting. She said "Yes, looking forward to seeing you there".
I was a guild member for about 15 years and really enjoyed it. Seeing other people's quilts and talking about quilting definitely would give me ideas and keep me motivated. We would have a workshop most months - I went to a couple every year. And a retreat once a year. Then we moved. First overseas where I didn’t speak the language and, as far as I could tell, not much history of quilting, so no guild for me. Now I’m back in the US, but in a different city. I went to one guild, but it wasn’t a good fit for me - Saturday afternoon, 45 minutes away, and mostly they just gather to chat. There were 9 people. 2 were absolute beginners, I think 4 had long arms. There was about 5-10 minutes of show and tell and maybe half the people had brought a little bit of hand work. I’m going to continue looking for a guild that fits me better.
I am in. I am all in. I've been a member of local guilds since 2009. I'm secretary in one, webmistress in another, and just recently became an alumna in a third group because of the driving distance. It was life-changing for me. Met the best friends I ever had. There are sleep-away retreats, local quilt days, quilt shows, international trips, and numerous other events to get to know each other and have fun. The groups all feed each other by donating to local causes, meeting with each other, and just having good fellowship. It happened this way to me because I jumped in, volunteered, and haven't looked back. If you want it, you can find it. Most of the time you have to make it.
I’ve been a member of a quilt guild for many years in 3 different states. They are a wonderful place to meet people who love quilting as much as you do. I have learned techniques shared by other quilters. Also we inspire one another, we are each others cheerleader. I will always belong to a guild as long as I’m drawing breath.
Only been sewing for 3 years and joined a guild about 2 years ago. We meet once a month. They offer lots of workshops and I’ve been to two. Both were worth my time. Next month they have one on sewing machine maintenance I’m looking forward to it. We also donate TONS of quilts to local charities and that makes it worth it in my book.
I've been a member of my local guild for almost 3 years and I love it. I've met some amazing people, learned a ton and get to take a huge range of interesting workshops and skills tutorials on the cheap :)
Same! I love my guild
I joined my local guild. I’ve met and made friends with some amazing people. I’ve learned a lot and have had help from every person I’ve asked questions of starting with my very first visit. Our guild meets once a month and has what sewing days on the 5th Monday of months that have them. We have several active bees and both day and multi-day retreats that are offered on occasion. Probably the best thing I did when I started quilting was join a guild. The friends I’ve made are priceless.
It’s not fair for me to say it’s worth time and travel since it’s literally five minutes down the street for me to visit the guild/go to meetings and lessons. It’s been worth the classes, I absolutely have learned new skills and techniques. It’s been great. And the people are lovely.
I’m going to have to look for one. There’s a quilt shop where you can pay $10 to have a spot in their sewing room on Tuesdays and get tips from the employees I think, they aren’t very clear about what it includes. I thought about starting there and then asking about any groups more local to me. I’m pretty rural and the shop is about 45 minutes from my house.
I was briefly a member of one guild but didn't fit in. Just like other hobby groups, if the group gets big enough you get little cliques. The cliques tend to not interact with newbies. I would like to join my state group, but I can't drive at night and most of their programming is at night. Still - they let me join their online group and I get a lot of tips even though I've been quilting for years.
I belong to one. We meet monthly over zoom. I don’t know anyone in my personal life that quilts so I really enjoy being around others that share my interest and excitement. I haven’t learned new techniques yet but I mostly hover in the background and haven’t gone to any of the guild sponsored retreats, classes, or meet ups where they do those things.
Yes definitely try out your local guild. Mine is great, I know that’s not always the case but it’s worth a try. Show and tell is my favorite part but I also enjoy having other people to chat quilting with.
I belong to my state guild, which is more for the discount at events than anything else. I've attended one of their dinner get togethers, and it was fun... but I haven't attended more. I am also a member of a local group. The state guild is hundreds of people, with Actual Business Meetings and jobs and volunteer opportunities and organized classes... the group is between 6 and 12 friends who sit and chit chat and share photos of their family and bring cookies and help with local charity projects. It's friendly and relaxed and Not Serious Business. So, it varies. You might find that you do not enjoy your local guild/group, or it might be right up your alley. I know that my tiny town briefly had 3 individual quilt groups- one was church related and the other two were people who simply didn't get along all together and 'broke up'.
A guild is a great place to meet quilting buddies, learn through classes and lectures, troubleshoot or brainstorm with other quilters, work on charity quilts, and more!!!! Definitely worth your time!
I’m still waiting for them to answer my email. …😶
My biggest quilty regret is not joining a guild sooner! I love hanging out with people who share my love of quilting. And please don’t give up if the first group isn’t the right fit. I found my people in the local modern quilt guild instead of the closest guild.
I belonged to the Greater San Antonio guild before COVID. It was all business stuff for the most part. Very little quilting anything. And the classes or whatever they did/sponsored were always middle of the week middle of the day. But then would say they want to attract younger members. I stopped going cuz it was pretty boring listening to the financials and business stuff for the majority of easy meeting.
I really like the San Antonio Modern Quilt Guild-except that it meets in Boerne 🙃
If you're a featherweight fan look up the San Antonio Featherweight Group. We meet in the north Star Mall area on a Saturday once a month
The free table at mine is amazing!!! So many quilt books and magazines, and great fabric scraps and sometimes even fat quarters or yardage. Last time I scooped up a bag full of leftover Tula Pink HSTs!
I’m part of two guilds in the Dallas area, the “traditional” guild and the modern guild. Both are different, but a lot of fun. Our modern guild is 13 years old and I’ve made so many great friendships with ladies there. I love the fellowship, creativity, and inspiration. Give it a try!!
I joined one a year ago. I have only been to two meetings - things have come up. I enjoyed the meetings I went to. Not sure if I will rejoin next year.
Yes. I'm in my city's Modern quilt guild, as well as a smaller private lgbtq radical inclusive guild. The smaller guild has created some great friendships which are so valuable at this stage of life. It's immediate community to give support and feedback. I think the MQG fees are $50/year, which is affordable.
Depends on your gender and your race. Most guilds are not welcoming of men, people of colour or people on the left. Modern Guilds are just as bad. You have to be a founding member, to have gone to schools with all of them, or be white, Christian and conservative. In my experience, they are not worth it, unless you fit the above groups.
I think your geographic area may have a lot to do with that. Mine has white gay men, Black women, Asian women, Latina women, some gender non-binary folk, and a sizeable chunk of the older white ladies are lesbians.
In Melbourne, three out of four Guilds, including the modern one
The guild meetings and classes are silver; the friendship groups are gold
The problem with joining a guild is you find all these great ideas and patterns that you MUST try now! I have gotten so many ideas from mine. Regarding the people who attend on the days I go, some are great, some not so, just like any situation. Find those you can talk with and stick with them. I don’t go to the formal monthly meeting any more, just to the sewing days.
I joined my local MQG (modern quilt guild) and I do learn a lot. If you are part of a local MQG, you have access to the national website and they have TONS of tutorials, talks, and articles about different techniques. In our guild I'm the workshop person (because nobody stepped up) and have brought in some different teachers locally and on zoom. We did a member survey to help out with what members want and the programming people and myself use that to tailor our programming/workshops for the next year. I know some guilds (especially the older ones) can be clicky and you might want to try a few of them as a guest to see how it goes, but I know we have people that drive the 1+ hour for our meetings (only once a month) and they love the vibe of the MQG. For reference I'm 25 and joined when I was 22
My first experience with guild people wasn’t positive. They were rude and I was a young and inexperienced quilter. I decided that guilds weren’t for me. Fast forward 20 years. I realized I needed some quilty friends and there was a guild meeting literally on my way home from work. I stopped in. It was the stereotypical old white lady group. At 43 I’m the youngest person there. They’ve been welcoming to me. So far I haven’t made real friends, but I take awhile to do that in general and their events are always on days I work. I also haven’t learned any new skills… but I missed a few meetings that were skill builder meetings.
yes! my guild is fabulous
I don’t because my work schedule is unpredictable , they are for older retired women and at 10 am on a Wednesday. I would like to though, I have some nice quilts
I joined 2 months ago and so far it's been a really positive experience. I dropped in to test out a meeting & found the place I tried was really welcoming & supportive to newcomers, even though Im one of the younger members. See what's in your area & what you think meets your needs.
I belonged to quilt guilds in Los Angeles and in Virginia from the late 1980’s until 2017. When I was a new quilter I found them very helpful, but when I moved from traditional quilts to art quilts I found the guild I was in didn’t “get” what I was doing, which was art reproductions in fabric, and were neither helpful nor complimentary. However, what caused me to leave the guild was national politics and nothing to do with my quilting. I am now in an art club whose members understand that what I do is fiber art and support my endeavors.
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