FOQ Birmingham

I do agree with you Irene about the 'quality' (though there were still some made by adults which were poorer, in my opinion, than that little beauty the five-year old won the children's section with). I was delighted that there were so many wholecloth quilts, in fact I voted for one of those as my Visitors' Choice quilt. I listened to Lilian Hedley, for a few minutes, speaking to someone about how she designs her quilting patterns. Fascinating! If you come again, perhaps we'll manage to meet up! . In message , irene writes

The wholecloths were lovely, but I was a little disappointed by the Welsh stand. Lovely quilts, but I had hoped to see more of the wholecloth variety.

I am not a great afficionado of "modern" quilts. Bottles, cans and "torn, distressed" fabrics are not my thing, though I can understand their motivation. However, there were plenty of traditional(ish) quilts to take my eye. I am always staggered that the album quilts seem always to be passed over for prizes, they seem such an intensive labour of love. Maybe I don't understand what the jusges are looking for?

I always think it would be a good idea if there was a short critique, attached to each quilt by the judges, to guide the quilter, and the public, where to make progress. They do that for my Mum's hobby (flower arranging) and she appreciates the pionters... even when she disagrees with them! Along the lines of " Great colours, but perhaps the purple was too unassuming on a gold lame tinsel background." Something like that, doesn't need to be long or involved.

What do others thingk?

Nel (Sartor Resartus) Gadget Queen (unless deposed)

irene wrote:

It would indeed be wonderful to read a critique, although very time-consuming for the judges. But they ought to at least give reasons for their prize awards. Roberta in D

"Sartorresartus" schrieb im Newsbeitrag news: snipped-for-privacy@m79g2000cwm.googlegroups.com...

The judges at FOQ do, at least, give their critiques to the entrants. Other shows I have entered, do not. So, I'm grateful for that. Logistically, I don't think the system such as you describe, to make these comments available to the public, would be feasible. In fact I think many of the quilters wouldn't like the comments to be made public, either. I don't think I would? However, I was thrilled to see that one issue, about which I wrote to the organiser last year, had definitely been resolved. So, they do listen and do what they can. I wrote a couple of years ago, also, about the dearth of seating. That, too, was improved. Also, I wrote to Grosvenor, suggesting that they make their show catalogue A5 to make it easier to carry around. They did that. So, all in all, I have been very gratified that the organisers really do take note. So, maybe you should write and suggest what you would like? Perhaps they didn't put as many wholecloth quilts in the Welsh stand, as they had the whole Lilian Hedley exhibition of wholecloths? I sometimes go over to Llanidloes to see the Welsh quilts they exhibit most years, so I didn't go to look at the FOQ one.

In message , Sartorresartus writes

Point taken, Pat (thanks for the greeting)

Perhaps then, a little something on the best few? Along the lines of: "I liked your use of rainbow quilting in the sky". All positive.

Nel Gadget Queen

Pat > Good to see you again, O Gadget Queen!

At our local show, the judge always makes written comments on each quilt. However, the comments are private, for the quilt's owner only. I guess that's to avoid embarrassment if the scribe for the judge has abominable penmanship. ;)

Patti wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@quik.clara.co.uk:

I'm very curious about this quilt made by a 5yr old! Are there any pictures?

No, sorry (not from me anyway!) But, I'll describe it a bit to you, if I can. It was about 4ft x 2ft. The main part was a mish mash of all sorts of colours and was very bright - and not a regular rectangle - it has a sort of waist >gI'm very curious about this quilt made by a 5yr old! Are there any