I have a basic question that probably seems elemental. So, opperating on the assumption that there are no dumb questions, here goes: What is and does a Quilt Guild do, exactly? I know that there is one locally which holds Quilt Shows that are judged events and offer ribbons in various catagories but what other types of things do Guilds do. As you know, I am a lone wolf quilter, and don't have much contact with "quilters" except for you folks, and when I go into quilt stores and buy something from the store. I meet and talk to some of the sales people and sometimes other people who are in the store, but they seem nonplussed that a man would have anything to do with quilting. They are friendly, but don't seem to know what to make me. Admitedly, I live in a rural, rather conservative society, so they probably don't get the chance to deal with men who quilt. When I lived in the S.F. Bay Area, I used to know some men who sew and a few who quilted. It was not quite the big deal that it seems to be hereabouts. I was thinking that I should approach the people at the largest event that is sponsored here in the county, that is having a "Guild quilt show" and see what they have to offer. But I was just wondering what other people here do at their guilds and how often they attend any meetings or such. Any input would help.
I think what a quilt guild does can vary a lot John. I have to say the one thing that I appreciate the most from my guild is the lifelong friends I have made. I was sort of a lone wolf too and it was tough to walk into a guild meeting. Actually the first few months were tough. My guild is a great place to see what work others do since there is a show and tell. Classes at a bargain and trunk shows full of quilts will really expand your quilt world. Some guilds lend themselves more to the art type work, maybe traditional or even appliqué. I bet most are middle of the road though. If you look at the SCCQG page you might find some info and links to some guilds here in SO cal. I would imagine there are similar groups all over the country. ( I know you are a long way from here but there may be some info of general interest)
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Each guild will have a unique personality but all should be full of folks that enjoy quilting. You may or may not have a choice of more than one. Visit a couple of times and see if they are a fit for you. HTH, Taria
Okay, I tend to be a BIG supporter of quilt guilds and am always in favor of joining one (usually the membership dues are REALLY cheap - about $20 for a while year), but here's what I know personally:
Usually, with the majority of QGs, YOU get these benefits (of course, it's not all about the single member - you need to give as good as you get!):
1) Discounts at your LQS. But not always - it depends on how much the proprietor realizes how much she "needs" the QG (rather, it's members!). But TMK, every guild I've ever belonged to managed to finagle discounts from local shops.
2) Access to the guild's library. Most, if not all, QGs maintain a library - books are bought, in part, with dues, revenue made from the quilt shows they'll hold, raffle quilts (or opportunity quilts), or just from donations. Personally speaking, every book that I've ever been interested in was in the library (but that does depend on how large the guild is).
3) Socializing. You'd get to go on guild "retreats" - I've been to several and REALLY enjoyed them!! On a retreat, you get to go out of town (usually - sometimes your LQS will host it) and off somewhere where you just QUILT, EAT and TALK! :) It's a BLAST! No cooking, no cleaning, just absolute FUN! :)
4) Discount or free admission to the quilt show! If your guild puts up a quilt show, you'd get free admission for helping out (nothing HUGE - since the committee usually handles the "rough stuff"). AND you'd get a sneak peek at all the vendors, quilts, goodies, classes, etc! :)
5) Newsletter. Most guilds (if not all) put out a handy newsletter, usually with patterns, project ideas, tips, tricks and recipes. You also get to keep abreast of happenin's even if you miss a meeting.
6) REALLY interesting programs! Our guild has had several big time designers/authors visit. You get to meet a celeb, learn a new technique (usually free!), get to see what's new, or take a class.
7) Other quilters to help you with a project. If you're stuck or hoping to have help finishing or creating a quilt, you can usually participate in a Round Robin. Everyone who volunteers (and usually, you'll get a LOT) will contribute a block or sash to your quilt - and often, help actually quilt it.
8) Great opportunities to help your community. In my past guilds, we've done things such as create and donate baby quilts for preemies or even IDQs (Infant death quilts). We've also made "ugly quilts" for the homeless. And "we've" (not me personally, I just joined my current guild) made quilts for soldiers in Iraq and returnees.
9) And lest I forget, the opportunity to encourage NEW quilters. Each year, my guilds would volunteer at local county fairs to give "quickie" quilting lessons in a booth. I can't tell you how many new quilters and guild members we got doing that. There ain't no reward like seeing the joy of discovering quilting on someone's face! :)
10) if you offer a quilting related service, they'll usually give you plugs at meetings, their web site, newsletter, etc.
That's all I can think of for now .. the ol' brain ain't what she used to be! But I can tell you this: joining a great guild is worth a heckuva lot more than what it costs - you get SO much back!!
At my last guild, we had TWO male quilters, and we did live in a rather rural area (Amish country) ... but they were probably the biggest contributors (never met a man who flinches at hard work!) and were extremely appreciated. While it did send up a titter when they first showed up, the novelty of the situation was over by the next meeting.
That being said, each guild is different. It's kind of like a high-school clique IMHO. Some guilds are more open and friendly, some are more cliquish and may not be as receptive as others.
As to your being a bit of a spectacle at your LQS, hubby often went into JoAnn's for gifts for me (B-day, anniversary, etc) and HATED it. Not because he doesn't appreciate quilting (far from it - he's pretty durn handy with fabric and thread himself) but because of how he's usually treated. "Condescended" to and "ignored" are usually the words he uses to describe the situation ... and for that reason, he tries to avoid going to fabric stores of any kind nowadays (if it weren't for online shopping ...). Simply because some sewers ARE territorial about our art. Some fabric shops just seem to attract "feminist" employees, I guess.
But, John, if let them make you feel odd about going in or joining a guild, you've let them win. And it doesn't do any justice to the other male quilters out there or to you - or quilting as an art!
Oh, and don't wait for a big event - just look up the next meeting and GO. You may get a few curious looks from even the friendliest guilds, but all that means is that you're SPECIAL!! :)
I agree with almost everything Connie said. I'm in 2 quilt guilds. You get to make new friends who are always willing to help you and offer ideas. There are some pretty good programs, it just depends on the guild, and what the budget is for speakers. You find out what classes are offered at some of the locat quilt shops. Both of the guilds I belong to, do a lot of community service for different hospitals, nursing homes, women's shelters, etc. It's a way to give something to the community. One of the guilds meets once a month in the evening for those who work, and during the day for the ones not working. Every Wednesday, anyone can come and sew, work on their current projects, or just visit. You can also bring your sewing machine and work on your projects. There are long tables we can use to lay out our quilts so we can baste them. Usually 3 or 4 people will help you get it all straight, and then help you baste it. The other guild just meets one evening a month. They do have several friendship groups you can join. Some of these groups work on specific things like making lap robes for a nursing home, or making kids quilts for a shelter. One of the guilds has a show every year. It is a lot of work to have a show. If you volunteer to work during the show, you get in free. If you are not working at the show, you pay full admission price like everyone else. The other guild is only two years old, and has not had a show yet.
Sherry Starr
"John" wrote in message news: snipped-for-privacy@i38g2000prf.googlegroups.com...
John, I currently belong to 2 local guilds. The first is a fairly small group, called the Phoenix Area Quilter's Association ( paqa.org). This group has about 50-60 members and meets once a month, in the evening. We sponsor at least one "national" teacher each year, used to have a yearly quilt show, but need to find a new venue since we "lost" the one we had used for years (change in management,etc.)and have a speaker of some sort at most of our monthly meetings. Our Dec. meeting is a potluck and "party", our July meeting is a work day and ice cream social, and usually our April or May meeting is a silent auction and some sort of demo/small make and take type of thing. The work day, and recently one Sat. a month we have an additional work day, is to work on quilts for AASK, Arizona Adoption of Special Kids, which is a group that specializes in placing "hard to place" kids in foster/adoptive homes. Each child is given a "blanket" when they are placed. ("Hard to place" are often family groups, older kids, and/or special needs kids.) Often these kids have nothing of their own, and may never have had anything new of their own. So we do a lot of quilts for these kids.
The other group is a little more complex... The Arizona Quilters Guild has well over 2,000 members state wide (it covers most of the state, although Tucson has its own guild ). So there are over 40 (?) chapters of this group and I do belong to one chapter. Each chapter has its own meeting times, and such. AQG does hold an annual quilt show, judged, each year. There are also the Fall and Spring meetings that are open to the membership (although at a fee because they are all day, with a meal and a space has to be rented for them.) Dues are paid to AQG, and each chapter also sets its own dues. You can also be a "Member at Large" and not join a chapter. The group I belong to meets each week, in the morning. We have a monthly business meeting, often with some sort of short program with it. Then do various things at the other meetings which are all "sit and sew" meetings. Sometimes we have "charity" work days, sometimes we have classes, either with a member of the group or someone from outside coming in. For our "charity" work, we have 3-4 different places we make quilts of various types for, such as preemie quilts for a couple of the hospitals, a home for "troubled" young mothers we make quilts for and so on. We also have an ongoing project that is "all ours"... we are making a patriotic quilt for the family of every Arizona service person killed in Iraq/Afghanistan. This project has been written up in the newspaper a couple of times and we always get some 'extra' donations, of fabric, blocks, etc. when it is. We also get heartfelt and heart wrenching thank you notes from some of the families.
Part of the purpose of the guilds is, in my opinion, social and a way to get positive input on your quilting. Show and Tell is always popular, and there is always someone to help you out of a fix, give you ideas and so on. Sometimes you really need to talk with others who understand what and why you are doing what you are doing. Even when others appreciate it, they don't appreciate it the same way.
As to men in the guilds, we have several men in AQG, some have been chapter presidents and have held other offices too. We used to have a young man who was a quilter who accompanied his mother to PAQA meetings, but I believe they moved. Men sewing may be unusual, but I don't think that anyone, around here anyway, really looks askance at it.
Have fun, and go ahead and try to see about your local group. And if you are ever in the Phoenix area, I'll be glad to take you along to any of the meetings in the area.
On the first Thursday of the month my guild (Top of VA quilters) has a meeting. We sometimes have a speaker/demonstration, always have committee reports, and show and tell, then socialize and have refreshments.
Our meetings are usually from 1 to 3.
On the third Thursday we have "bee" day. We work on our own projects, or our charity quilts, or we sometimes thread baste a quilt for one of our members. Our original members are in their 70s/80s +, and do things the old way. Sometimes we have a class, next week is "stack and whack" and is from 10 until 3, bring a lunch.
We do one raffle quilt a year. We provide 4 volunteers at the VA Quilt Museum one day a month. Usually take a bus trip to a quilt show. Meet the last Friday of each month to work on charity quilts at a members home, everyone donates fabric but only 4 to 6 of the younger members actually show up, others make quilts and donate them to the cache. We gave over 80 lap/child size quilts to charity last year. We also did 2 full size quilts for the local hospital's benefit house.
We have 45/50 members, some of them socialize/group sew in smaller groups.
We have had the occasional male guest/member and we welcome one and all.
On Tue, 7 Aug 2007 16:18:33 -0500, John wrote (in article ):
Our guild has a monthly meeting with a program each month. Usually its a member sharing what she's learned in a recent class, photos of a quilt show she's been too, tricks she's learned over time, etc. Occassionally we'll have a nationally know quilter come in to do the program and some workshops (we had Carol Doak in June). Plus we do show and tell every month and have a quilt show every two years.
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