How would you go about finding a quilting club?

[minkydog]

I know what I am looking for--a casual group of women who like to quilt or do needlework, no competition and no stress. When I google quilting clubs I'm getting a bunch of hoity-toity quilting guilds and that's NOT what I want.

I am NOT a great quilter, but i do love to quilt. THere is something very zen about handsewing a quilt top--I don't care if it takes me 3 years to finish it. Iwould love to find a bunch of ladies like myself who just wanna sit around and chat, quilt, eat a brownie or two, and just generally hang out. I would even start one myself, but I don't have any place to do that in my home. Besides, I'm not any kind of expert in this stuff. My skills are basic, but it gives me so much pleasure So, if you were in my shoes, how would you go about this? (And if you live in North Georgia and know of such a group, I'm all ears!)

 

[WhateverLolaWants]

I would try meetup.com, local churches, maybe a local arts and crafts store?

 

[kwelch10377]

You could maybe look on craigslist and see if they have anyone advertising a group on there or maybe you could advertise that you are looking to start one.

Another good place is meetup.com.

You could also see if your local fabric store posts people looking for groups or would let you post that you are looking to start one. I am not sure if they feel it would be conflict if they offer classes. You could maybe even take a class and just try to meet some other people that way and then see if they would have an interest in getting together.

If there are any quilters websites that have forums you could maybe see if there are people on there that are in your area.

 

[Imzadi]

You could also see if your local fabric store posts people looking for groups or would let you post that you are looking to start one.

There might be some already posted, or ask at the stores if they know of any quilting bees.

 

[C.Ann]

Some Adult Ed places have a class - they usually do something small - and maybe from there you could get others from the class interested in continuing on once the class is over..

 

[Deb Quen of Colorado]

I would check the quilting guilds in your area, even the state one. They often have bigger meetings and small groups. You can go to the big meetings and see who you fit in with.

I alos have 2 different groups i sew with when it works out for me and they are both at the same quilt shop. It's an after hours thing. I am amazed at the different feel I get for each one. In fact, now that I think about the quilt shops around me they all have at least 1 group that they sponsor/provide space for.

and... don't worry about being an expert! All I ever want in a quilt friend is someone that likes to quilt and makes good brownies

 

[shortbun]

check rec centers for quilting classes. We have some quilting stores around here that have groups meeting all the time with lessons or not. I am a novice quilter and have some tops that need to be finished; I inherited them from my aunt. I have one top of my own that I work on in the winter. Wish we lived close to each other.

 

[scrapquitler]

I know what I am looking for--a casual group of women who like to quilt or do needlework, no competition and no stress. When I google quilting clubs I'm getting a bunch of hoity-toity quilting guilds and that's NOT what I want.

I am NOT a great quilter, but i do love to quilt. THere is something very zen about handsewing a quilt top--I don't care if it takes me 3 years to finish it. Iwould love to find a bunch of ladies like myself who just wanna sit around and chat, quilt, eat a brownie or two, and just generally hang out. I would even start one myself, but I don't have any place to do that in my home. Besides, I'm not any kind of expert in this stuff. My skills are basic, but it gives me so much pleasure So, if you were in my shoes, how would you go about this? (And if you live in North Georgia and know of such a group, I'm all ears!)

ask at a quilt shop.

 

[stm61]

I'm in SC and our library has notices posted on a bulletin board in the hallway between the outside door and the door into the library itself, if that makes any sense lol. They have several groups that meet at the library or in town that post there.

 

[bookgirl]

Check your local library (we have two quilting groups that meet here 1 monthly and one sporadically), also google quilt sales in your area local clubs often have entries in craft shows.

 

[minkydog]

ask at a quilt shop.

Check your local library (we have two quilting groups that meet here 1 monthly and one sporadically), also google quilt sales in your area local clubs often have entries in craft shows.

Good suggestions. There is a quilt shop about 2 miles from my house. I never really looked at them because I felt like their going to be so much better at it than I am. And I absolutely do NOT want to feel intimidated by other people. I'm insecure enough already.

I didn't even think about the library! We have a great, large library system. They could very well have a quilting group in the area.

Thanks for the great ideas!

 

[itsheresomewhere]

Good luck. I have tried to join several local ones only to be told I was way too young. . Since when did quilting have an age.

 

[cabanafrau]

Two or three years ago now some women in our church started a group making blankets, hats, etc. for Children's Hospital. It's not just quilting, some quilt, crochet, knit, whatever their skill is. They are having a ball.

Maybe you could utilize something like that to pull together a group at your church or local library?

MIL fills lots of her time making quilts for the Blue Star Mothers, which gives quilts & support to families who have lost a soldier. MIL does hers at home, but maybe other areas have groups that get together? I don't think there would be any competitive attitudes there either.

 

[cabanafrau]

Good luck. I have tried to join several local ones only to be told I was way too young. . Since when did quilting have an age.

Wow, that's just nutty. (Not you, the attitude of these groups.)

 

[Imzadi]

OP, if you are interested in starting your own group, churches often have various size meeting rooms that they rent out cheaply, by the hour, and usually have large folding work tables & chairs. A couple plastic tablecloths from the dollar store, taped onto the tables should provide a clean work space. Just make sure the center has adequate lighting in order to quilt.

Probably, if everyone donates a little money each week towards the room fees and brings a pot luck snack, you can start a group really easily and advertise it on Craigslist, the Pennysaver and community papers, flyers at quilt shops, hospitals & churches, grocery store bulletin boards.

 

[laurie31]

That's a great idea about using a church. Ours will let anyone use the hall for free as long as they aren't selling things for profit. (for example, a group of scrapbooking ladies meets there once a month, but they can only work on their own books, not have a show where a consultant is selling scrapbook stuff. If someone wants to have a for-profit meeting, they can't use the church for free)

There is another church here that has a group of ladies that meet to knit. They make booties and hats for NICU babies, and they will teach any newcomers how to knit. I've always wanted to go try it out, as I never learned to knit (but I can crochet), but I've never found the time. Maybe one day...

I hope you find a group like you're looking for, and if not, just starting one yourself is a great idea.

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

another place you might look is stores that sell sewing machines. (not necessarily fabric stores or quilt shops) a lot of times they have advertisements for local sewing/quilt groups.

 

[arminnie]

My late aunt and my great aunt quilted at their church for decades. They loved getting younger members interested and were always so happy to be of help to novice quilters.

I never heard so much as a whisper about how much better they were than the new ones. They all remembered that they were new once too. Many of the older,more experienced quilters can be very kind and helpful to the newer ones. Don't write them all off even if you've come across a few not so nice ones.