Quilting Forums

What are Quilting Forums?

Quilting forums are Internet discussion boards or groups whose sole focus is promoting the craft of quilting. Most are run by quilters who already have a Web site and are looking to draw visitor traffic, as well as share information with others who may be interested in the same craft.

Most groups require you to register or create an account to verify your e-mail address. You need to assign yourself a screen name; don't use your full legal name for security purposes. You can create a profile and post pictures about your quilting ventures as a way of meeting others with similar interests. This also gives you an idea of who you are communicating with online.

Some of the topics discussed in quilting forums include:

• Longarm quilting
• Quilting supplies
• Industry jobs
• Patterns
• Pictures of completed projects
• Information on quilting shows
• Help or advice on starting or finishing a project
• How to get started in quilting
• Machine quilting
• Where to buy fabric

Chat Rooms

Many forums also have online chat rooms available. Similar to instant messaging, chat allows users to "talk" to one another without having to post a question and wait for an answer on a forum. In small chat groups, the venue can be quite helpful. If you are in a bind and need an answer quickly, then a quilting chat room might be for you. However, when you start chatting in larger groups, your questions and discussions could get lost in the fast flow of conversation.

Instructions for Using Forums

Each Web site has its own set of rules that posters need to follow. Here are some general guidelines:

• Make sure post is listed under the appropriate category or title.
• Search the forum to make sure your question wasn't already asked.
• Don't type in all capital letters because it looks like you are desperate or yelling.
• Preview your message before posting.
• Check with the forum moderator or guidelines before you post a picture or advertise a business.
• Use your common sense and be courteous to other posters. Attacking someone because you disagree with what they wrote is usually not allowed.
• You should not post copyrighted material or pictures without permission.

Finding a Group

Here a sampling of the dozens of quilting forums available online:

• Quilting With a Passion is a very unique forum for quilters, as the group's main focus is charity quilts. As of May 2007, more than 1,400 quilts have been designed and donated to charities or to individuals who have faced tragedies. The program began in March 2002. A chat room is also accessible through this forum.
• Block Central has topics for beginning quilters, special projects and upcoming quilt shows. It is part of a large Web site dedicated to this craft.
• The Quilting Forum is part of equilters.com. Topics include everything from quilting with machine embroidery to patterns and instructions. A chat room is available.
• Pattern Review has a moderately active forum. It is part of a sewing Web site, so not only quilters visit it for information. However, many of the threads are active and are on a variety of topics.
• American Professional Quilting Systems has many topics available to read about or to post information. There are also threads dedicated to French-speaking quilters, as well as other nationalities from Europe and abroad.

A Final Thought

Remember that even forums dedicated to something as non-controversial as quilting can be stalked with Internet trolls or forum lurkers. While board moderators do their best to keep such posters from being a part of the group, it does happen. Keep this mind when posting personal information.