Need theme for quilt show

The Malvern Show had a lovely theme a few years ago, that would fit in really well: Bountiful Baskets.

(I did a basket of fruit, a basket of vegetables and a basket of flowers

- it was huge fun). . In message , Pat in Virginia writes

"How Green is Your Garden" came to mind when I read this request. I love floral quilts myself.

We have done a barn quilt, and we have also done a basket quilt. The donation quilt - the quilt we sell tickets for - is always done in the show theme.

Sherry Starr

Educate me on this theme subject. What purpose does the theme of a quilt show fill? I imagine it entertains the guild, perhaps helps with the cover for the booklets, maybe there's a special ribbon for a quilt that fits the theme . . . but other than that? I've never really cared what the theme for a quilt show was. I don't mean to come across as cantankerous; just ignorant. Polly

Well, for the Malvern Show, the Theme is just one of the categories in the show. All the other categories are open subjects. . In message , Polly Esther writes

LOL, Polly, I tend to agree with you, but I'm not on the committee this year. (My choice.) IMO, a quilt guild should just come up with a Title for the show, and the logo (could incorporate the guild logo) and then use that for every year. That way quilters would soon learn to recognize that in flyers and ads.

That is a good question, Polly. Around here it seems to be "traditional" for a show to have a theme. There is usually a "theme category" in addition to the other categories for entries. The show pin reflects the theme, all publicity is geared to the theme and so on. For the big guild there has usually been a "preview party" the night before the show officially opens. The "party" is a dinner and a chance to have about an hour and a half to browse the show and vendors with a limited number of people.

The smaller group that I belong to lost the venue for its show and hasn't had a show in a couple of years. It usually had a theme, and we tried to have quilts in the show that fit that theme. It was a small show, about 60 quilts and was up for over a month in a gallery setting at an historic site in one of the parks. In this case the theme set the mood/tone/??? of the show, but the entries were not limited to the theme.

But in general, I guess that the theme may just be a publicity thing in large part. But I agree with you, except for when I am entering something in the theme category, I really don't care about the theme of a show. It is the quilts, of all kinds that are important.

Pati, > Educate me on this theme subject. What purpose does the theme of a quilt

Our guild has a different theme every year. Only the donation (raffle) quilt has that theme. We have exhibits that reflect the theme, for example, the year we had barns as a theme we had barn lunch pails, paintings of barns, farm implements, etc. in our exhibit room. None of the quilts entered in our shows have to reflect the theme of the show - in fact, they never do.

Sherry Starr

Could the theme be Green... and then have catagories underneath? some greens that come to mind quickly...

Green - Gardens, Victory Gardens Green - Recycling Green - Sunbonnet Sue goes Green, Overall Sam the Treehugger Green - Think Globally Act Locally It's (not) easy being Green Green - how small is your footprint?

talks about "urban eco pioneers" don't know if that helps or hinders! good luck!

Howdy!

Mother Earth, Father Sky

Just imagine all the colors, patterns, directions that could come from that.

Often in our local shows (Arlington, Ft.Worth, Dallas) the quilters use the theme as inspiration, the theme has its own category for prizes, theme quilts are hung together in one section (I have actually heard show attendees suddenly exclaim, "OH! I get it!" as they repeat the theme by name. Show quilts aren't limited by the theme, but it's nice to have a "handle" for the show. My favorite quilt show theme was Ft.Worth's history of cotton, where they had cotton bolls and bags of cotton on display w/ the quilts; clever ideas, and a good reminder of traditions.

Btw, you could retrace your route, spend that $4+ per gallon gas to try to recapture that wonderful idea you had while driving home. Hey, what's a good idea worth, anyway?

Btw2, why not have a recycled quilt category? New quilty things made of older quilts, bags, mats, a nap-time kid's quilt made from an old favorite, pillows, stuffed toys, bears, aprons, pillowcases, purses, blouses/shirts appliquéd w/ old quilt blocks, vests & jackets & chatelaines from cutter quilts; recycled, reused, repurposed, rethought.

Good luck!

R/Sandy- always thinking "green" (it's my favorite color) ;-) : quilted gardens, florals, batik-y splotches of greens & blues (I have that fabric), appliqué' &/or pieced, watercolor, frogs (Hi, Donna!), sky, clouds, airplanes, Smart cars, bicycles, walking, water, balloons (air), all kinds of save-the-environment and Green possibilities

Gators are green. Gators were green before green even became cool. Sandy, how could you make a list of green things and leave out my security guards? Polly

Hi Sandy

I just love that 'Mother Earth, Father Sky'.

I feel sure that the organisers of many of our national shows would too. Would you permit me to send it to them as an idea for 2010? (2009 is already announced). I would credit you by name if you wish, or anonymous?

If they don't want it, I think I will ponder on it for a future piece! (I must be up to about 2011 by now - in my mind!) . In message , Sandy Ellison writes

As you noted, I also don't see the connection regarding quilting/sewing the environmental movement. Unless you're reusing old fabrics (i.e. from old clothes) and reusing old sewing machines (to keep them out of the landfill) I don't see the connection.

-Irene

Howdy!

Please, help yourself. ;-) No credit due. Quilting was a "green project" before anyone heard of such a thing. If you do use the idea for your own quilt, we gotta' see pics.

Cheers!

http://www.turtlemo> Hi Sandy

Thanks Sandy - marvellous. . In message , Sandy Ellison writes