As a 42 year old person who absolutely LOVES quilting, I’ve only ever been to one quilt guild meeting. I can’t say it was my scene either. So many times I’ve felt like I should try out the local one here but I think I’m similar to you, I would prefer a small sewing catch-up. It could just be that I have so little child-free time that any spare time I do get I’d rather just be quilting! I hope you manage to find your tribe where you are, it’s no easy feat.
I am a mqg super fan (shout out to my beloved local chicago mqg), and what I will say about guilds (or really any group meeting) is one visit won’t get you the connection you want. But one visit might let you know what you want to try again. Guilds (and most groups) take some time for you to find your fit into them, and what you are willing to put into them (guild or rec volleyball or book club or whatever) really changes what you get out of them and how long it takes to fit in. I do really recommend joining a quilt guild if you can find one that works for you. The cross generational friendships, the people yokes about sewing and making, the advice both for quilting and life that are available to you, and the monthly excitement about making can enrich your life so much even when the announcements can go too long and be boring. Meeting in person is good.
Ahhhh thank you for this reply!! It is so good to hear other people's experiences with guilds! I think I will give MQG a try. I feel like there is potential for it to be a good fit, but it will take some "investment", first! :)
I wonder if your city has any informal craft nights that you could look into at yarn stores or cafes? I ran one in nyc that focused on mending and people often said they liked the smaller social group while having a way to work on projects
I’m 44, so more gen x than millennial, but let me preach the guild gospel. I just moved across the country <2 yrs ago and am starting to find my people after attending my local mqg on and off this whole time. It takes commitment but I had no other way to meet people and I loved my guild in my old city.
This guild started doing smaller breakout “bee” groups to connect more, and that was a huge step forward. Now I’m the beekeeper, helping other people find small groups to get to know better.
And it is like church, in that you have to sit through a lot of stuff you don’t care about just to show up for other people in the community, but they show up for you too. Recommend! Maybe suggest they start doing bees, too, or suggest other things that sound like things that would get you out of bed on a Saturday morning (which I agree is the least convenient time, mine is Sunday afternoon).
Also, I’m among the younger people there but def not the youngest. I think MQG skews younger than other quilt guilds.
Ahhh thanks for your reply, Jenny! This is super encouraging. I would love to be in a "bee"--a smaller group to connect with. The MQG I visited definitely felt like it would be a better fit than the huge, traditional guild I visited. After reading your reply, I think I will visit the MQG as much as I can, and see how it goes!!
I’m 46 - xennial. I recently went to a quilt show and I learned that it was a quilt show for a local quilt guild. It was fun to look at the quilts folks had made. I went to the quilt guild table and definitely got the vibe you describe of the larger event you attended. It definitely seems to skew older and white. I’m Latina. I enjoy hanging out with people older than me- one of my favorite activities is aqua aerobics which skews older. I just knew it was not the community for me. There was also a lot of patriotic stuff. I’m going to another event that promises to be a bit more informal and diverse. Still need to check out guilds and groups
As a 42 year old person who absolutely LOVES quilting, I’ve only ever been to one quilt guild meeting. I can’t say it was my scene either. So many times I’ve felt like I should try out the local one here but I think I’m similar to you, I would prefer a small sewing catch-up. It could just be that I have so little child-free time that any spare time I do get I’d rather just be quilting! I hope you manage to find your tribe where you are, it’s no easy feat.
Thanks Esta!! A "small sewing catch up"--I love that! Maybe I should create it if I can't find it around here! :)
I am a mqg super fan (shout out to my beloved local chicago mqg), and what I will say about guilds (or really any group meeting) is one visit won’t get you the connection you want. But one visit might let you know what you want to try again. Guilds (and most groups) take some time for you to find your fit into them, and what you are willing to put into them (guild or rec volleyball or book club or whatever) really changes what you get out of them and how long it takes to fit in. I do really recommend joining a quilt guild if you can find one that works for you. The cross generational friendships, the people yokes about sewing and making, the advice both for quilting and life that are available to you, and the monthly excitement about making can enrich your life so much even when the announcements can go too long and be boring. Meeting in person is good.
Ahhhh thank you for this reply!! It is so good to hear other people's experiences with guilds! I think I will give MQG a try. I feel like there is potential for it to be a good fit, but it will take some "investment", first! :)
I wonder if your city has any informal craft nights that you could look into at yarn stores or cafes? I ran one in nyc that focused on mending and people often said they liked the smaller social group while having a way to work on projects
Oooo, I need to search for something like that! I would love something a little more informal.
I’m 44, so more gen x than millennial, but let me preach the guild gospel. I just moved across the country <2 yrs ago and am starting to find my people after attending my local mqg on and off this whole time. It takes commitment but I had no other way to meet people and I loved my guild in my old city.
This guild started doing smaller breakout “bee” groups to connect more, and that was a huge step forward. Now I’m the beekeeper, helping other people find small groups to get to know better.
And it is like church, in that you have to sit through a lot of stuff you don’t care about just to show up for other people in the community, but they show up for you too. Recommend! Maybe suggest they start doing bees, too, or suggest other things that sound like things that would get you out of bed on a Saturday morning (which I agree is the least convenient time, mine is Sunday afternoon).
Also, I’m among the younger people there but def not the youngest. I think MQG skews younger than other quilt guilds.
Ahhh thanks for your reply, Jenny! This is super encouraging. I would love to be in a "bee"--a smaller group to connect with. The MQG I visited definitely felt like it would be a better fit than the huge, traditional guild I visited. After reading your reply, I think I will visit the MQG as much as I can, and see how it goes!!
I’m 46 - xennial. I recently went to a quilt show and I learned that it was a quilt show for a local quilt guild. It was fun to look at the quilts folks had made. I went to the quilt guild table and definitely got the vibe you describe of the larger event you attended. It definitely seems to skew older and white. I’m Latina. I enjoy hanging out with people older than me- one of my favorite activities is aqua aerobics which skews older. I just knew it was not the community for me. There was also a lot of patriotic stuff. I’m going to another event that promises to be a bit more informal and diverse. Still need to check out guilds and groups