There was a local quilt show last weekend, I didn't enter a quilt in the show (that I knew of) and was surprised when I met someone as I entered the show who congratulated me on "my" ribbon. I laughed and assured her I hadn't entered a quilt; she went on describing it. Oh. I was unaware that a raffle quilt our Bee had made (group category) had been entered, I was listed as the quilter. We had won a second place ribbon, I was thrilled for my Bee.Have you ever entered a quilt in a judged show? What was your experience like, would you repeat it?
I have been putting quilts in shows since I was an early quilter, naivete had a lot to do with those early entries! For me, the most valuable part of this experience is receiving the judging critique form when the show is over. Do I always agree with what the judges have to say? Of course not! And yet, I have learned, over time, to accept constructive criticism as a tool to improve certain areas of my quilts. My bindings have become straighter, my corners squarer, my quilting more even, all a result of entering shows. My quilts are a work in progress, and I'm still listening, the most intense criticism of this recent entry was directed to the quilter!
...and sew, let's talk...
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18 comments:
Good for you to enter quilts at shows. Congrads on a ribbon! I haven't so far! In my class with Sue Patten at MQX she talked about the critiques. Valuable in deed! Cheers!
Congrats on the ribbon even though you were surprised, it is still a ribbon :D
Quilts of others that I have longarm quilted for them were entered into county fairs and four times won 'champion' ribbons which was nice. I won nothing, the owners / makers of the quilts were the winners, but they notified me they won as the category was for machine quilted entries. That was a satisfying feeling just the same.
Congratulations! I have never entered a quilt in a show. I have entered clothing and some knitted items in shows. I guess I am not confident enough in my skills as a quilter to take that step. Maybe someday! I am glad others do because I certainly enjoy viewing other peoples work!:-) Have a great day!
Well over 20 years ago I had but was not successful, one of my students also entered at a different time and she won, entirely hand pieced and hand quilted---the student outshone the teacher, but this teacher could not have been prouder
And I meant to add CONGRATULATIONS but my fingers are faster then my brain this morning!
Congrats! I think the surprise part is the best!
I have entered two at a small, local fair. They judge DANISH--love those Danish. The quilt received a first with the comment that my corners needed squaring. What a great help!
The second quilt was a gift to my son-in-law and entered with his name. It got Best of Show. That whole day was a blast with everyone in that small town congratulating him on his quiltmaking, knowing full well I had made it for him. We both had a great time that day--and my corners were square!
Hey girl! I think that is a great compliment! I have entered in our local fair for years. My reasons were simple, my mom and sister share in the quilting hobby and enjoy entering together as a family tradition. Winning ribbons is always fun, but for me, I enjoy just seeing mine hang and seeing others enjoy them. The fair gives alot of ribbons, so you have a good chance at getting one. I took all the ribbons in my local county fair in my small town last year, BUT I was the only person that entered in the machine quilting category, so I do not claim those ribbons, that wasn't a competition. I would much rather just have mine DISPLAYED and not judged. Yes, I am proud of some of the ribbons I have that were fair entries. My mom and I will enter some quilts again at the yearly fair, but with no expectations but to see them hang. Julie entered 2 of her quilts at AQS Nashville last year and both were semi-finalists. I had quilted them for her, so I was down a the quilter. I have to admit that it was very exciting to be accepted in that show as a semi-finalist! What made that experience so special for me was, we did not make or quilt them for show, and they got accepted. That was an honor for me and it did feel great! No denying that!
I meet with the lady that I quilted the baby quilt, (recently posted on my blog) and just the joy of her reaction to the quilt was extremely satisfying to me. As I drove off, I watched her showing her friend the quilting and smiling in delight. She later told me that she did not even like the quilt, but once it was quilted, she feel in love with it. Personally, I saw the beauty in the quilt before! My point is, that was more gratifying to me than any ribbon I can think of, because it is just pure joy and appreciation! Will I enter in the future, I am sure I will, until then smiles over ribbons!
Thanks for the post, great topic!!!!
Congratulations on the ribbon. It is a beautiful quilt and you did a wonderful job quilting it. I always try to enter something in the shows for several reasons...first, it is a learning experience, whether I agree with the judges or not. Two, as a support for the guild. If no one enters their quilts, there is no show. And three, it is a thrill to see my quilt hanging there amonst the quilt forest.
Congratulations on the ribbon! What fun *s*
I've never entered a quilt in any show - judged or not. I've considered it when I belonged to a local guild, but chickened out when it was time to fish or cut bait.
The judges comments are always helpfuly but I try to remember that there is still some subjectivity in the way everyone interprets art. Its fun to have a piece displayed whether its judged or not.
I think the quilting on our quilt was lovely...certainly better than I could do and I thank you for giving of yourself to support our cause!
Congratulations, I did get to see the quilt at SO, very pretty.All of you ladies are very talented!
I have never entered a quilt in a show, I don't think my work quality is what it should be. I have only made one baby quilt that I may have even considered, but I gave it away. Maybe someday my confidence level will let me give it a try.
It's funny that you should have this question today. I just blogged about it last week.
http://passingdowncrazy.wordpress.com/2009/04/17/a-walk-down-moda-memory-lane/
Nine years ago, I designed a quilt from a center medallion out. It's still my favorite quilt to this day. It won second place in its category. The only comment from the judges was "nice binding". I never entered anything again. I have never been someone that needs a lot of approval from others. (My very smart husband knows when to ooh and aah!)
Congratulations! A surprise win has to be even more fun!
OK, to add to my last post. I didn't mean to sound snobby, saying I didn't need approval from others. That's not the main reason someone enters a quilt in a competition. I'm sure most of it is to learn to be an even better quilter. I'm so thrilled that there are people that do enter quilts, because it's hugely inspiring to me!!!
I used to enter the fairs and shows. I always placed in the top three. Once time at the county fair I won Reserve Grand Champion. I no longer enter but, like you, I always learned from the judge's comments. Congrats on the win.
I have not entered any quilts into a quilt show for judging...however my granddaughter has! Three years in a row she received *Best of Show* at the County Fair, we are thrilled for her. The year 2008 she did not enter a quilt in the County Fair because of the *Raffle Quilt* she made and donated (as seen in the sidebar of my blog), however one of the judges from her previous entries approached her at the raffle drawing and commented that she missed her entry this year, and that she always recognizes granddaughters style of quilts. Quite a compliment I think! Good "Tuesday talk", it is interesting to read the comments, and CONGRATS to you on the win for your Bee...and your talents that are obvious!
The guild I belong to has a quilt show every two years. I have put quilts in that show three times now. It is not a judged show though - it is just a display of our members quilts. We do have a viewer choice ribbon and sometimes a member's choice ribbon - but again it is just a "chose your favourite quilt" vote. I find it very - VERY difficult to choose my favourite because I love them all!! LOL
Congrats on the Ribbon! I know it is a beautiful quilt! I have never entered a quilt show for judging or display. Chicken initially then just never seemed to have one ready. But I have heard such positive "end results" that I have put it on my "to do" list for someday.
What a pleasant surprise!! Congrats on the ribbon!
I have never taken that step into shows yet. Mainly because I forgot or don't pay attention to entry dates. It is a goal I want to do though in the future.
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