Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ - Guilds, Quilting, Membership, Participation and Quilters' Connection

For new quilters and those with experience, there are always questions about new undertakings. Here are some answers. If you have more, please come to a meeting or contact Quilters' Connection by email.

FAQs

    • What is a guild?

      We have the common interest - quilts. Whether it is a general interest in wanting to learn more, making quilts or collecting quilts, we have a common interest of learning more about quilts and quilting.

    • Why join a guild?

      Quilters Connection is a community of quilters sharing beauty in design, color and cloth.
      Whatever your quilting interest you will find like-minded members to share your passion.
      Our annual Show and tell, Winter Workshop, and post workshop results showing provide a positive format for sharing your talents an displaying your latest work.
      Our monthly newsletter provides a wonderful format for recognition of honors bestowed, challenges won, and inspiration for further work.

    • What are the benefits of joining a guild?
      • You can make friends with others who understand and enjoy quilting, gathering, sharing, and learning.
      • There are challenges to improve your skill, demonstrate your interests, and help the guild and the community.
      • As a member, you are eligible to take workshops, participate in the Quilt Show, and attend eight meetings per year.
    • Who can join?

      Anyone can join a guild. You do not have to know how to quilt to join the guild.
      At each meeting, a greeter helps new members find a seat. Introduce yourself to her.

    • What is a typical membership meeting like?
      • - Meetings start promptly at 7:00 PM. The first 20 minutes is our "business meeting" where board members, committee chairs or general members who have announcements may speak.
      • In-person Format
        • - Doors open at 6:30 PM where members come in and check-in at the membership desk, giving members time to mingle before the meeting begins.
        • - Usually there are raffle basket tickets to buy, quilt-related flyers to take, and sign-up sheets for workshops and events.
        • - There are snacks and beverages provided by members.
        • - Sometimes we have an "Adopt-A-Fabric" table, which allows members to buy and sell from each other. (Our guild takes a small percentage of cut that goes directly to the operating budget of the guild.)
        • - When our speaker presentation is via Zoom, we will show the speaker's presentation on a screen in the meeting room.
      • Zoom Format
      • - All meetings are available via Zoom and the Zoom room opens at 6:30 giving our Zoom attendees have time to connect before the meeting begins.
      • - Meetings typically end between 8:30 PM and 9:00 PM.

    • How much is it to join?

      Our current membership fee is $45.00. Our membership year runs from September 1st through August 31st, consisting of 8 membership meetings per year.

    • Do I have to join to come to a meeting?

      You do not have to join to come to a meeting. You can visit as a guest for $10.00 for a meeting. See the link Guest Fee at the top and bottom of each page to use online PayPal (or PayPal's credit card processing).

    • When and where do we meet?

      Our calendar and details of our meetings are available here. We meet at Follen Church, 755 Massachusetts Ave Lexington, MA 02420

    • Do I have to come to every meeting?

      We all have busy schedules. Although it is great if you can attend all the meetings, you are welcome to attend those you can.

    • I would like to sign up for a workshop, how do I do this?

      You can sign up for workshop here. Members get priority in registering for workshops until two months before the workshop is scheduled to occur.

    • Do I have to be a member to take workshops?

      It depends upon the available space. If there is space, workshops are open to the general public. Please email our workshop Chair for more information.

    • What is comfort quilt?

      Comfort Quilts include quilts, teddy bears and other items made by our members and donated to many organizations.

      Quilt kits as well as quilts that need bindings can be picked-up at QC meetings. Participating in comfort quilts is a wonderful way to learn every aspect of quilt making from our own experts while doing something good at the same time.

    • Where are comfort quilts donated?

      We give to anyone and everyone. It mostly depends on who asks and, importantly, who will deliver the quilts. Upwards of 200 teddy bears are delivered to local police, fire, EMS, women's shelters, and children's centers annually. Quilts go to DSS homes, 2nd Step in Newton (facilitated by Judy Holmes), a children's hospice, REACH (a women's shelter), Wrap a Smile (an organization that provides cleft palate surgery to children around the world), Camp Sunshine in Maine (facilitated by Karen Pulaski), Yawkey Way (to children having medical treatments outside the hospital in a home like atmosphere for families), VA hospitals (often delivered by veterans), and Quilts for Kids at Tufts, and Camp Erin (a camp for children who have experienced a death in their family.)
      Another important aspect of quilt donations includes giving quilts to charitable organizations that are then auctioned at fund raisers.
      Please visit out Community page to see more details and the history of donations for Comfort Quilts.

    • How can I donate fabric and / or sewing supplies?

      QC is happy to accept donations of unused cotton fabric, flannel, and fleece. Batting of any kind and sewing supplies in good condition can also be accepted.
      Contact QC donations to organize the donation details. We are always short of batting - monetary donation or physical donation of batting is greatly appreciated.

    • What do you do with donated fabric / materials?

      Donated fabrics/materials are supplied to the Comfort Quilts group, other charity organization, for our raffle quilts, and for raffle baskets. They may also be used to generate funds by placing them in the bi-ennial auction, depending on when the donation is given. Others may be sold at the Adopt-a-Fabric table at each meeting. This is a way for QC members to re-cycle unused fabric and other quilt or sewing related items. Items for sale may also include books, magazines, fabric strips, scraps, ribbons, trimmings, and threads. See Typical Meeting section Adopt-A-Fabric table.

    • How can I give a money donation to QC?

      At the top and bottom of each website page, there is a Donate link that connects to PayPal (and the credit card process of PayPal) where you can donate your chosen amount to help Quilters' Connection fulfill its mission of sharing - via Comfort Quilts or other Non-Profit recipients.
      So click Donate.
      QC's Mission is to be "A community of quilters sharing beauty in design, color and cloth."

    • I would like a quilt made, how do I go about it?

      There is no definite QC policy as yet on this. Please check out the display of quilts from our Prior Quilt Shows so that you will have a sense of different quilting styles, send the QC secretary an email with your request and we can forward that to our membership, and best of all, come to our shows.