clem55

Chris, just sign up for a class , pay your fee in advance and show up. They never say women only allowed when you register, and I'd bet the other students would welcome you. And if the instructor wanted to ignor you, the quilters there wouldnn't!!

Flying_V_Goddess

I definatly know what its like to have a hobby that's mostly dominated by the opposite gender. Not quilting because...well, I'm a girl. However, I'm a girl who plays video games and listens to heavy metal (and sometimes my quilts are video game or metal inspired. lol). Very male dominated. But guys think its awesome (and kind of hot I guess) that I do play video games and listen to heavy rock music. Why can't it be the same for a man who quilts? I don't know. I personally think its awesome when a man either quilts or at least takes interest and doesn't think his wife's/girlfriend's quilting is stupid.

And not getting help in the quilt shops: that's just terrible customer service. I just transfered over to electronics at the Wal-Mart I work at and I'm always excited to help out somebody in the game section. My favorites are the moms who are trying to buy Christmas presents for their kids and have no clue what their kids are talking about. Its fun to help them out and make sense out of the confusion between all the games and accessories. I would hope that women working in quilt shops would be the same and love being able to help out customers with their quilting needs (I'm assuming they'd be working there because they love quilting), espessily the men who come in trying to buy gifts for their wives or ones who want to try it out for themselves. I think its pathetic that there are ones who think men shouldn't be quilting. I think we should embrace anyone who wants to try quilting, female or male.

sueisallaboutquilts

Chris, that's terrible! It seems to me that many years ago most tailors were MEN!! What happened to people??? I think quilting is great for anyone who wants to do it.
Good luck, my friend :)
You know we are all here for you!

Holice

Chris: Sign on to the Yahoo Group. Introduce yourself and make some comments about what you do. I don't know if there are others in the group from Indiana.
I had a male quilter group here in the area for awhile. It started out great but eventually dwindled down into uncertain attendance. However, there are two shops in the are that have male groups. I don't know what the attendance is.
When I started the one here, One of the local papers did a good article. Get on the Yahoo group and start asking questions and others will tell you of their experience.
I would suggest you go to the shop and ask for a private lesson to get started. (if they will do that)
How close to you from Indianapolis?

eaglebeak1960

they freaked out had to bring wife along to get em to calm down!!!!!! she is very anti quilting, tolerates it cause I do it. was bored outa her mind

Annaquilts

Yes, do this. Also maybe sign up for classes at the big quilt shows. Please don't be discouraged and keep quilting. I am raising many new male quilters at my home and DH keeps coming around in my sturio too. As for being ignored, I have that too sometimes even in classes. The same with some quilt shops. I hope you can find a good suport net work and environment to share and learn in.

magnolia

Sorry, for your trouble Chris. I am not a male. However, I am a young quilter, 27. And I often feel the same way. I don't really feel welcomed by most of my guild (only a couple people) and some shops the workers just look at me as a pesky little kid (I look younger than 27). The shop closest to my house I think is the best. They actively try and recruit young people and men. Everytime a young person comes in or a man they want to help as much as possible. They never assume the men are there because the wife is the quilter, unless the man sits on the couch and has that glazed over look-haha. I was there the other day and a man came in with his wife, his wife sat on the couch and the husband started looking around. The owner asked if he needed help and he was surprised-he said he brought his wife as back-up because he's never offered help.

raedar63

Dang what's wrong with people? Maybe it is just this shop. I am in a female dominent profession(nursing) and usually when there is a male nurse/tech/clerk whatever, the females get silly and baby them. My son recently out of the USMC started working on another floor at the same hospital I work ,he is like the star of the floor lol, I get after the girls all the time to not cut him any slack.
I don't know what is wrong with people, I was in a LQS a week or so ago and the shop "female" was out on errands. The shop females' husband was the buyer for all the fabric in the shop and LOVED helping customers pick out fabric. He shared with me how so many of the women will leave rather than talk to him about fabric, patterns etc. Well let me tell you that this man talked to me more and was more helpful than any other shop I had ever been in.
Come on ladies,you want equality? it is a two way street, and would I be scared to be alone with a male while sewing? HA! never, This girl carries!lol
Although it could happen I really don't think sereal killers hang out at the local quilt shops girls ROFL.

PS
Eaglebeak has always been my dads nicname for my mom.lol,long story .....

np3

That is crazy, the President of our Guild is a man.

Flying_V_Goddess

I just had the image of Jason Voorhees and Freddy Kruger piecing together quilt blocks by hand. lol.