quilt show "how to" question

Just hang washable quilts? I wonder if you could write Alex Anderson and ask about the outdoor quilt show that she's been involved in? The hang quilts in a garden so I bet they have had a bird or two nearby.

In the mid-west I would be as concerned about the weather. Alex Anderson and Sisters Oregon have very little chance of rain during certain months. When could you plan an outdoor event in Illinois that rain wouldn't be a factor?

I helped a woman clean quilts that had "bird presents" all over them. We spotted the soiled areas with Orvus and washed the quilts in cold water. Everything came out. Fortunately the quilts had not been exposed to birds that had eaten mulberries. I still remember mulberry season when I was living in a more rural setting. Won't describe the problem. You can use your imagination.

Susan

I've pondered your question, Karen, but don't have any answers. A couple of times a year, I like to hang my quilts outside on a nice, breezy day. It's crossed my mind to sit out back with a hawk on my wrist and a shotgun - just for the noise. I couldn't / wouldn't hurt a bird. An outside quilt show would truly be a risky venture. You could be taking the chance that a quilt would get a stain that only scissors could remove. Polly

A seagull got DD once when she was water-skiing. How's that for split-second timing? Fortunately, mulberries don't grow in the Gulf and there was plenty of water to wash her off. Polly

Birds know. Roberta in D

"Taria" schrieb im Newsbeitrag news:qbACi.639$6T5.610@trnddc06...

Hang them under tents?

-Irene

------------- "You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough."

- Mae West

We have a combined indoor/outdoor show. And fortunately, for the past

We use a local little restaurant/could be B&B but it isn't one. The lady caterers events and she puts on a lunch/tea throughout the show. She lets us put quilts--mostly small quilts to lap quilts to wall hangings and other quilted items--throughout the first floor. And we set up the larger quilts outside on racks and drape several over the porch railings.

With a covered porch, we don't have to worry too much about birds coming through.

My first thought was tents as well but even with tents, the birds can fly up underneath and fly around and cause some damage due to stress.

Good luck with next years show regardless of whether it is inside or out.

Marilyn

I don't know.

I would include a disclaimer notation in bold type on the entry form that it is an outdoor show and although quilt handlers will be careful with the quilts, the local wildlife including birds flying overhead may not be so careful and that the show/guild may not be held liable for any damage due to wildlife, sunlight, weather, or other acts of nature.

Without the disclaimer someone is likely to hold the show responsible for fading due to sunlight, mildew or color bleeding on never before washed quilts due to moisture from rain or dew, bird poo, dirty squirrel tracks, tree sap, or a myriad of other outdoor possibilities. Personally, I'd send a quilt to an outdoor show in a heartbeat. My quilts are made to be used and abused so hanging them outdoors is just fine and my little endeavors might have a chance of looking good if there are less quilts shown that are made specifically for winning ribbons at shows. Debra in VA See my quilts at

I helped hang quilts at Quilts in the Garden (the show Alex is affiliated with) last year & no precautions were taken at all. I think you just hope your quilt doesn't get slattered on, but, as someone else said, quilts can be washed & if you have a quilt you don't wish to be washed, perhaps you shouldn't put it in the show. I love seeing all the quilts hanging in the nursery & also at Sisters - wish we could do an outdoor show too, but ours is indoors (same weekend as Alex's show).

A couple weeks ago I picked blueberries at a farm. They want to keep birds away from the berries, so they have a recording of a scolding bird playing constantly. It is quite loud, but that may work. You could also post some of those owl dummies. These suggestions would not solve the problem of high flying birds though. Talk to a berry farmer or your cooperative extension.

If people move material goods outdoors, they have to expect issues with flora and fauna. Go with Debra's fine disclaimer suggestion.

PAT > We're talking about having an outdoor quilt show here, but there's something

That's pretty funny. I've got an even closer timing story. My step father was a construction man and you know those fellas often eat outdoors. One day he was sitting on a pile of building material, unwrapped his sandwich, opened it to add some pepper, and a flying bird picked that moment to "pepper" it before he did. Debra in VA See my quilts at