ellenmg

I am in the loner category also. Hermit quilter, good term.....I only have one friend who quilts, but she is 86 and has begun to lose faculties. We would have a quilt day every month, but not lately.
Both my parents sewed, mother taught tailoring, back when clothes were fitted! My grandmother made my doll quilts, now in storage for the great-grandkids.
I don't take classes because, like some here, few quilt shops close by and they teach the basics. And the closest store only seems interested in selling their machines...I haven't joined th local Guild as they have no classes that interest me. I have however, found the local chapter of Project Linus, and they have a Stitch And Bitch session every month. I will probably start going to that one.... I would like a place to share and socialize, some, I am more the Lone Ranger....
Ellen

Nita

Though I already made an entry, I hope you don't mind if I indulge myself with a second entry on this topic. After reading through, I just want to throw in my two cents regarding quilt guild.

There seems to be a great deal of misconception regarding quilt guild. I've belonged to a quilt guild for 3 years and have never felt like I was being judged by the "quilt police". Granted, there are quilters who are WAY more experienced than I, but all members are made to feel welcomed and valued ...... from novice to expert. Moneywise, it is the best value for my dollar;I believe the membership dues are only $25/year. We have had reknowned quilters come to speak to our group, the most recent of which was Sue Nickels. Didn't cost me one extra penny to be in on that lecture and, let me tell you, she was phenominal. She did offer optional classes which, as a guild member, had a fee attached of only $25 for 3 hour session. Not a bad deal, when you figure you are being taught by a nationally acclaimed quilter! Yes, there are several "more mature" members in our guild, but age difference doesn't seem to matter among quilters. The way I see it, some of these "more mature" women have a whole lot of experience to share with us if we are open enough to learn from them. Also, there were comments about being "forced" to do certain things? Well the guild is run by its members, so it only stands to reason that everyone SHOULD take their turn at helping out in some way. There are plenty of committees to pick and choose from. For the past two years I have volunteered to Chair the Holiday Party;Alot of work, but even more fun. My guild does a ton of charitible giving but, again, no one is counting when it comes to what members contribute. Well, thanks for bearing with me as I ramble on. I just felt that quilt guild was getting a bad rap and all I can say is don't knock it if you haven't tried it. I am very grateful to be a part of such a terrific organization.

Feathers

I'm both...alone quilter at home but take one class a month and have classes or "programs" where we learn new quilt blocks at our monthly quilt group. LOVE BOTH!

granniegg

You have to be the luckiest quilter ever....all those shops. Definetly a loner but I do take classes and most quilters are truly kind. You get so much more with their backup and lots of ideas. And you never know when you can do something for someone else by an innocent, truefull comment.

wraez

Of course at home I am a 'lone quilter' but I do love getting together with friends to quilt, chat, laugh and socialize. I've only taken my quilt guild classes from 10am-4pm cuz they only cost $5-$10 for the class...great price considering that I didn't always get alot accomplished cuz I love to see what everyone else is doing, what fabrics they are using etc. If I had to pay those big prices at quilt shops I wouldn't be happy, it would cramp my style and my pocketbook. But I LOVE quilt shops!

Friends and Quilting just go together naturally.

warm quilt hugs, sue

weezie

I am a loner; none of my good friends makes quilts, although they kindly indulge me when I rattle on about quilting projects. One of those friends does machine embroidery (as do I) so we have that in common.

I can drive at night but can't see where I'm going, so that rules out any classes or guilds that meet after sunset. I could say I'm self-taught, but in truth I've learned most of what I know from the expertise of others, internet, books and t.v., when there were good sewing and quilting shows on the air. (None in this area any more but I have lots videotaped.)

Besides the facts that I don't drive at night and that I am a social cripple, I'm leery of paying for classes, because it seems like gambling ... I'd pay my money without knowing if I'm going to win or lose. I'm more of a "sure thing" kind of gal.

I love this Quilting Board.

k9colliedog

I took classes and then joined a group of very nice ladies. However, although the group met once a week for two hours not one single stitch did I sew. Now I am a loner and get so much more done. Groups are fine but don't expect to get so much done. Mind you there are a lot of ideas that get thrown around, all to the benefit of your future experience

lgeorge

I have never taken a class but would like to but I am like you I could spend that money on fabric. I did sign up for one class this past winter but when my husband got sick I didn't get to go. So guess what, I lost the $12.00 that I spent just to join the club. Do you know how much fabric that I could have bought at Walmart when they went to 50% and 75% off when they were getting rid of their fabric. DUH!!!!

May in Jersey

I'm both. Most of my projects I work on by myself. I also belong to a guild and get to show off my completed projects at Show and Tell during the guild's monthly meetings. For the gal who was worried about the Quilt Police, they aren't allowed at our meetings, LOL! I rarely take the workshops offered by my guild or local quilt shops, just don't seem to have the time.

Within the guild I belong to 2 small groups. Each group decides upon a project and we each make our own version of it. At our small group meetings we discuss the project, help each other with fabric and layout choices, any problems, etc. The small groups are also social, after our group session is over we have refreshments and get to talk about our life outside of quilting.

A little of both quilting worlds works for me, May in Jersey

Sunflower107

Hi Everyone - I am new here. I have wanted to get into quilting for some time. I have several books and will start there. A friend wants to help but I feel I need to try myself and make mistakes and learn that way.