Frequently Asked Questions

...About Quilt Guilds ♦ ...About Meetings ♦ ...About Guild Activities ♦ ...About the Quilt Show

Answers to many of these questions can be found elsewhere on the web site. If you have any questions, or feel something should be added to this list, please contact the Web Manager

...About Quilt Guilds

What is a quilt guild?: A quilt guild is an organization that supports learning about and appreciation of quilts.
Is a quilt guild the same as a quilting bee?: No. The guild is a larger gathering of quilters and quilt enthusiasts that meets monthly to discuss Guild business and, sometimes, hear a speaker. A bee (or working group) is a usually a smaller group of people who get together and quilt.
Are there other guilds in the area?: Yes. Links to web sites for some of the other Guilds in the area can be found in our Links section.
Can I be a member of more than one guild?: Yes. Some of our members are in two or even three guilds!
Do I have to live in Chelmsford to join the Chelmsford Quilters' Guild?: No. CQG members come from all over the region.
What is required of members?: Just that you pay the dues. How often you go to the meetings and participate in the other activities is up to you. (For more information on the benefits of membership, please see the Membership page.)

...About Meetings

How often are does the CQG meet?

The Guild meets once a month on the fourth Monday at 7:00pm (unless there is a conflicting holiday). Usually you can come an hour earlier and participate in our pre-meeting workshops and "Q & A"s. In the summer, we are planning on holding informal "working" meetings where we can stitch on our latest works, get help from and socialize with other Guild members. Information on the next meeting is usually posted on the home page of our web site. Our newsletter is sent out about a week before the meeting to remind you.

What do you do at CQG meetings?

Before the meeting and during the break, we socialize with our fellow Guild members and have a bite to eat and/or something to drink, maybe even sit and stitch. Then we move along to a more structured program. Our program committee has scheduled speakers for some of the meetings; at the others, we usually have a "Show and Tell" where Guild members bring in their latest creations. On speaker nights, there is usually a short "business segment" where the President and the committees report their current activities. (On non-speaker evenings, this segment is usually longer and covers more details.)

What are all those tables for at the meetings?

Membership/Check In—The very first table you see when you enter is the membership/check-in table, where you can pay your yearly dues, check off your name to show you've attended, and even donate your spare change to the New England Quilt Museum.
Raffles—The Raffle Table committee selects fabric, notions and other "quilty stuff" for CQG members to win. Tickets are 2 for $1, 18 for $5 and the Guild benefits from the sales.
Comfort Quilts
Door Prize—If you wear your CQG nametag to a meeting, you are eligible to win a special raffle prize.
Block-of-the-Month Raffle
Fat Quart Raffle
Round Robin Box Exchange
Hospitality—Every month a different set of people bring in food and drink for their fellow Guild members to enjoy before the meeting begins and during our mid-session break.
Guild Library
Vendors—Sometimes a speaker will also have related merchandise for sale.

Why are some people wearing purple bows?

The purple bows indicate someone who has recently joined the Guild. This way, members of longer standing know to go up and introduce themselves to newcomers and make them feel welcome and at home.

...About Guild Activities

How can I participate in Guild activities?: You can find descriptions of the many Guild activities and how to participate in them on our web site. Check out the Charitable Activites and Guild Activities pages for contacts and more information. You can also find much of this information in your newsletter.
How do I get involved in a small working group or quilting bee?: At present, no one coordinates the bees. They are simply groups of CQG members (and others) who have met through the guild, have common interests, and have decided to meet in addition at another time. If you are interested in joining one of these groups, get acquainted with other guild members at the meetings and ask them if they know, or if they are involved in, a bee. You can also post a note on the Yahoo! Group, in the newsletter, on the web site, or stand up at a meeting and ask if anyone is interested in forming a group with you.
What is a Comfort Quilt?: One of our more popular activities is make quilts for various charities. These are called "comfort quilts." For more information see Comfort Quilts.

...About the Quilt Show

When is the CQG Quilt Show?: The CQG holds a show every other year. Our next one is May 14, 2010. See the Quilt Show page for more details.
What do you do at the Quilt Show?: First of all, we exhibit quilts by our talented members. We also have raffle baskets to raise money for the Guild (and, this year, a special basket to raise money for the New England Quilt Museum.) Our Raffle Quilt is also on display, and you can purchase tickets for that as well. We have a Boutique with items made by members, plus "quilter's garage sale" items, like gently used books and patterns, fabrics of all description and other notions.
How do I submit a quilt for the Quilt Show?: Information to come.
How can I help at the Quilt Show?: Information to come.

More Information

If you don't see your question above, just look around on the site. We've tried to pack as much information in these pages as we can. If you can't find what you want to know here, ask someone at a meeting or send us email.