Finally it is over. What a lot of work. I didn't realize how hard it was going to be or how many hours it was going to take.
We had some really magnificent quilts hanging. We had a judge who didn't judge quilts. But she really tried. At least she was willing to take pointers. And she was a quick learner. We had to tell her what to look for (points meeting, being square, etc.) but all in all she did her best.
The quilts were divided by size. Large, medium and small. So, the machine pieced, tied quilt had to compete with the queen size, hand appliqued and hand quilted quilt. Next year that has to change, hopefully. But, everyone got a ribbon especially if the judge liked the color. :-)
I am sure glad I didn't enter anything and humiliate myself. I sure met a lot of really nice people. And had a great time.
Now that's funny, Vikki. "The Judge didn't quilt" and "everybody got a ribbon if the judge liked the color". That might have been the only fair where I would have stood a chance. Thank you for the smile. I was feeling rather grumpy. Polly
I'm sorry, but I don't think it's funny at all! It just confirms my views about most county fairs. I think (and hope) the state fairs have more qualified judges.
Why would anybody want to subject their works of art in a fair, where they can get dirty, stolen, or ruined? Not to mention judged by some dummy who wouldn't know a pieced block from an appliquéd one?
Just my opinion, and my pet peeve.
René
(Snip...)> > We had some really magnificent quilts hanging. We had a judge who
Well, like I said, this will all have to change next year. Most people enter a county fair in a spirit of good natured competition. All in all, a fair is there to promote agriculture. The only reason there is even a home economics section is to show what the good farm wife could do.
I don't always consider my quilts to be works of art. They are bedcovers to keep you warm and comfy on a chilly night. :-) It is a nice way to show what you have been up to. Small communities set a high priority on their fairs. I would also hesitate to call a judge a dummy just because she didn't know anything about a quilt. Might have if she hadn't taken direction and refused any of our comments. Our hanging quilts were also hanging out of reach, they could not be touched, we had 24 hour security and sitting security in our section. And it seems to me that there were quilts ruined at one of the big quilt shows last year by someone who was angry over something.
We did although have a wonderful opportunity to educate people. You would be suprised at the people who came and asked questions about the different methods used and the kind of fabric and whether something was done by hand or machine. We got as many questions from men and children as we did women. We were able to give little mini-lessons at our big table at least two people tried paper piecing and 3 people learned to knit. We promoted quilting lessons given at our LQS and advertised our quilt show coming next month.
Feeling the way you do I wouldn't want to show my quilt at a fair either. That is entirely up to you. If I had one finished I would have shown it. But, I don't mind throwing one in the washing machine. I would rather they were used and enjoyed by someone I love than someone who is not yet born. It makes me happy to see my DGD dragging her quilt around the house. I won't know her granddaughter, so I don't care if it lasts past DGDs babyhood.
I hope you can see where we come from, and you are certainly entitled to your opinion, I wouldn't even try to change it. This is just an explanation of why we do it. Thanks for your response.
InspirePoint website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here.
All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.