Guilds, Associations

Joining the American Quilter's Society (AQS) is an excellent way to become active in the quilting world. Membership benefits include a year's subscription to "American Quilter" magazine, 10 percent Jo-Ann Stores discount card, 20 percent discount for books on the AQS website (www.americanquilter.com), subscription to the bimonthly AQS newsletter, discount admission to the AQS shows in Paducah, Kentucky and Nashville, Tennessee, website access to the AQS school of quilting, other website privileges, and much more.

The International Quilt Association (IQA) is an organization dedicated to uniting quilters, maintaining high standards for the art of quilting, and working to increase the recognition of quilts, quilting, and quilters. Member benefits include subscription to "Quilts…A World of Beauty" quarterly journal, apply for opportunities in IQA's grant program that fund quilt research and artistic development, and receive special advanced information on the IQA Festival and Quilt Expo. Membership dues are for the entire year. (www.quilts.org)

The National Quilting Association (NQA) is an organization run by quilters for quilters and has succeeded in establishing programs that introduce more individuals to the art of quilting. Check out the National Quilting Association website to see if a chapter is near you. Membership benefits include a subscription to "The Quilting Quarterly" and costs for a year's membership. If a chapter is near your location, join the NQA today and become an active member in one of their community organizations.