Okay newbies, I’m going to fill you in on something awesome…there are meetings specifically for quilters! A quilt guild is an absolutely wonderful place to meet like-minded people who all share a love of this amazing hobby. Members are true beginners to seasoned quilters who go to meetings for socializing, knowledge and inspiration.

Even though I've belonged to many quilt guilds over the years, the Twisted Stitchers Quilt Guild (TSQG) in Ajax, Ontario, is the one that my heart belongs to. In 2005 my friend, Marcie Lane, decided she wanted to start a guild in our town. Her best friend, Nadine MacDonald, was the original secretary, Shahena Fredricks was the first treasurer, and I was voluntold that I would be the vice-president. It was a lot of work, but soooo much fun, getting the guild off the ground during those first couple of years. Back then we only had 25 members, currently we have just over 40, but at one time our numbers swelled to almost 70. I ended up staying on the executive for 10 years back in the early days, 6 of those as both president and Program Coordinator at the same time. Marcie has since passed away, but the guild is still thriving thanks to her original vision. I just completed another 3 year stint as Program Coordinator and passed the reins to Sue.

When do quilt guilds meet?

Meetings are usually held once a month for the general meeting and once a month for a sew day/workshop. Most meetings are from September to June with a break for the summer, but there are some guilds that function year round. Most general meetings are held in the evening to accommodate people who work full-time, and a few guilds have 2 general meeting dates per month...one for retirees and shift-workers during the day and the second for the other worker bees in the evening. There are a few guilds that have daytime only meetings as well, but they are not the norm.

Does it cost anything to join a guild?

There is an annual fee (in our area, anywhere from $40-60) that goes towards the operating expenses of the host guild. There are occasionally separate charges for workshops with visiting instructors in order to reimburse them for their time and experience. Guilds also offer a one time visitors fee (usually $5-10) so you can check things out ahead of time without committing to a full year membership. Usually that fee will go towards your membership if you want to join right then and there!

Where do quilt guilds meet?

Each community is a little different. In many villages, towns and cities meetings are often held at a church hall or community centre. Some businesses also rent out large meeting rooms, but these are usually only large enough for groups of 25 people or less and are not suitable for the sew days as there usually isn't enough room for the sewing machines and ironing boards. Senior citizen halls rent out meeting rooms for slightly larger groups and one guild I know of used to rent out the school board cafeteria to accommodate about 140 members. It really depends on the size of the group and the amount of money that the guild can afford to spend. Just like everything else these days, rent is expensive.

What happens at a guild meeting?

Chris and Janet checking out books with librarian, Judy

There are many things happening at guild meetings to add to the fun. Each guild is slightly different in how they approach the agenda for the meeting, but most offer similar topics throughout the meeting time:

Social time: some meetings allow members to arrive a bit early so they can chat with others for a while before the meeting actually starts...this is a good way to get to know members that you may not normally sit with.
Library: most guilds have an extensive library that you can borrow from. You take a couple of books home with you and return them the following month. It's a great way to read up on a new technique before you try it. Some guilds also have lending libraries for tools and patterns so you can try before you buy.
Charity program: most guilds have some form of charity program in place. TSQG is very active in the community and donates hundreds of lap quilts to local hospitals and long term care centres, placemats for Meals on Wheels, pillowcases for a local women and children's shelter, and we often offer up larger quilts to local charitable organizations to raffle off to raise funds.

Block of the Month (or equivalent): some guilds offer up a different block pattern for members to take home with them. The member can make the block at home, usually learning a new technique or done in a specific colour combination, and bring it back to the following meeting. This way everyone can see the other members' blocks. Some guilds put them into a pile, a name is drawn from the participants and the lucky person takes them all home, and some just allow members to work on their own project throughout the year.

Show & Tell: this is one of the favourite activities of the meeting. Bring in a completed item that you've made and proudly show it off to your fellow quilters. It's a great way to see a variety of designs and colour combinations that just might inspire your next project.

Speaker/Presentation: depending on the bank account of the individual guilds you might be lucky enough to hear a well-known quilter speak and present a trunk show (the speaker's personal show & tell) or it might be a technique demonstration by a member with a lot of knowledge to share. This is a great opportunity to see both traditional quilters and more modern quilters in the same year. And, the inspiration you get from guest speakers is invaluable. Covid opened up a whole new way of meeting (without being in person) and now many guilds have some meetings remotely through Zoom. Our Zoom meetings are held in January and February so members don’t have to drive in our wintery weather and can join the meeting in their pajamas if they want to!

new member Linda W ready to present her work as the Featured Twisted Stitcher with help from Program Coordinator Sue

Sew Days/Workshops: Guilds often have sew days where everyone brings their own machine and projects to work on, or sometimes it’s a marathon sewing day to make quilts for charity. Occasionally guilds bring in special visiting teachers who then teach a specific project or technique for those who have signed up and paid for the opportunity. So much can be learned at these events and it’s a great way for newer quilters to learn from the more experienced ones and it’s also a great chance to get to know your fellow guild members better.
Potluck dinners: TSQG has two potluck dinners every year...December and June. And you know quilters like their food! It's a wonderful social time and a great wrap-up for the end of year before the Christmas holidays, and a nice way to start summer holidays (as well as holding elections for the following guild year).
Twice a year at our general meetings the Twisted Stitchers also highlights one of our members to be the Featured Twisted Stitcher for that evening. This person brings their own mini trunk show of 10-12 items and presents them to their fellow guild members. It’s a great way to see a little more of our members’ work and hear all about how they got their start in quilting. It is always inspiring.

Every 2 to 4 years most quilt guilds also hold a quilt show. It’s a great way for the guilds to highlight the amazing work of their members, encourage others to join their group, and to show the wonderful charity work that they present to their communities. Not only that, but a quilt show brings in much needed revenue for the host guild allowing them to pay for rent and speakers for a couple of years.

The Twisted Stitchers also has a freebie table where members can bring in scraps, fabric yardage, old books and patterns, and notions that they no longer want/need and their fellow guild members are free to take them to a new home. After all, one quilter’s trash is another’s treasure.

In September, The Twisted Stitchers celebrated our 20th Anniversary! Ingrid, Judy and I are the only members still with the guild who were there at the very first meeting in 2005. We had swag bags for members, a yummy cake, games and prizes, and members were even encouraged to wear something from back in the day when they were 20 years old! I wore clothes reminiscent of the movie Flashdance from the early 80’s and Ingrid knocked it out of the park with her ode to her groovy 1973! Doesn’t she look incredible?!

How do I find a quilt guild?

Your town's website...they sometimes have local groups listed with contact info.
Community Centre booklet...you know the ones...
they offer exercise classes, swimming lessons, etc.
Check your local church or senior citizens centre
Do an internet search for your area for local quilt guilds

Hopefully you’ll have no problem finding your own cult…ummm…I mean quilt guild!

What is a Quilt Guild?