Monday, November 16, 2015

Twice in one day?

I’m not sure I have ever posted twice in one day. But, after reading Barb’s  (Fun with Barb) post for today I felt I needed to share something to my fellow quilters. I hope I don’t blather on too much, better get something to drink.

One of favorite shows is Quilter’s Gathering which is now located in Manchester, NH. I love the fact that it still has quite a few hand quilted entries, but also has lots of modern and pictorial quilts. A really good mix. I usually go with friends and we have a super time. It is only 3 hours from home, but for some reason this year, I just didn’t make it over there. So, I was surprised to see not one, but two ribbons in the box when my quilts came back.

Thanks Judie (over 600 different Judie Rothermel prints in this quilt) won a second place for hand quilting.


Stone Soup (a potholder quilt that I started in 2012 but hope to add to soon) won a third place ribbon for color compatibility


Quilter’s Gathering doesn’t send you judge’s comments (although I think they have in the past) so I can’t tell you what the judge(s) were thinking. These are in no way my best quilts but just fun little pieces to make and I love sharing them with others.

And hereby lies my reason for this post. Barb was surprised a bit by one of the comments the judges gave her about the binding on her stunning Jubilee quilt. I was thankful she shared these comments with all of us as it allows us to learn how others feel about our work.  This was my comment on her post:

Hmm, where to begin? I don't like to make truly negative comments about judges and judging otherwise, why would I even enter quilt competitions? I enter to share my quilts and learn from the comments and from viewers. That being said, it is perplexing to get these kind of comments about bindings. I used to be marked down every time for using straight binding. That doesn't happen as much now and I'm wondering if they have finally figured out (in judge school) that bias binding is really a 20th century thing. 99% of the antique quilts we see here in NE have a straight binding and often with only 3 mitered corners - it starts on a straight edge like yours. So maybe they are learning. It is one area that I am not going to change so I guess I'll never win the big Kahuna award! I love your dolly quilt! And thank you so much for moving those scraps along. I'm sure the winner will appreciate them.
So what I really want to say here is don’t be afraid to enter your quilt in a show just because you may get a negative comment. I love to see ALL quilts in shows. I love getting ribbons and awards, but I can TRULY say that my main reason for entering shows is to share my quilts with other people.

Please check out Barb’s quilt (here) as it is absolutely beautiful.

And go enter a quilt.



21 comments:

  1. Woop ! Woop !! A second post in a day !!
    Congratulations for your ribbons Wendy !! And it's so kind to you to encourage us to participate in shows ! Never did it...maybe one day ??

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    1. I think you should share Cecile. I for one would love to see your in person.

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  2. Congrats on your ribbons - well deserved as they are gorgeous ...though I have not closely inspected the bindings (wink). I'm not consistent in how I bind - sometimes bias, sometimes straight - depends on fabric and the quilt. Either works fine for me :)

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  3. I've given up putting quilts in judged shows. It really is too subjective as to the judge's preferences. My quilts are WAY too humble anyway.
    Congrats on your ribbons!

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    1. My favorites are the "humble" quilts and if we don't enter who will see our creations? My favorite part of our show is the kids section. No worries about their work just beautiful color and creativity. We could learn a lot from them.

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  4. 2 posts a day is good especially when showing beautiful quilts like yours always are....and the link to barb is wonderful...more eye candy!

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  5. Good post. I haven't entered a quilt in a show for quite some time. Never did enter because winning a ribbon was my main goal. I entered to share my quilts with others. What one judge finds not to their liking can be liked by the next judge.

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    1. Absolutely! So glad to hear it. Now I want to go to a show and see your quilts!

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  6. Congrats on your ribbons. I love your take on entering.
    I am one who does not enter. Almost decided to enter a quilt in Paducah this year, with encouragement from the designer, but changed my mind. My feelings mirror Lori's. : )

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    1. Actually Janet, your comment prompted me to do this post. I LOVE your quilts and hate to think that I couldn't someday see them in person. Think how much you would inspire others if they saw one in a show.

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  7. Congratulations on your quilts they are beautiful and the ribbons are icing on the cake. I've heard great things about this show. I'll have to plan to attend and maybe I'll enter a quilt next year.
    Thank you for posting this - I realized after the post published that it might be construed as a reason not to enter shows. It was actually only me wondering if this was just an isolated thing. Yes, we should be sharing our work and as bloggers we are.
    I think I need to make an addendum to my post. Thanks for sharing your thought here and well said!

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    1. You would love this show and I would love to see you there next year. I always plan on taking a class but never have. Maybe we could find something next year to suit us and meet there. I usually have 3 or 4 friends with me and we have always talked about making it a weekend. And I would LOVE to see the Jubilee in person so you could enter it next year! I don't think your post was negative at all, it just prompted some me to nudge some people into entering.

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  8. Congratulations on your quilts. This posting is so true and I hope it will convince more quilters to join shows. I must admit I never wanted to enter a quilt in a show for all of the same reasons but my lovely longarmer asked me if I was interested, just for fun and as a tribute I did at the festival of quilts in birmingham last August. To our great surprise we won a 2nd in the 2person categorie but my biggest surprise was winning the visitor's choice. Me who had never entered one quilt had been chosen out of 800 quilts and the show had 24500 visitors. I highly respect all judges and their task but this was my icing on the cake!

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    1. Oh how wonderful! I am so happy to hear that you had such a great experience as it really is important to share our quilts. Of all my ribbons, I treasure my "Viewer's Choice" the most because it means that all of us every day quilters enjoyed it!

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  9. Wendy, congrats on the ribbons! I love "Thanks Judie" (of course) and wondered if there were any conversationals in it as the picture is quite small....

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    1. There are a few in there as I recall. I know Judie did a repro of the horse and carriage in your quilt, but I can't seem to find it. I think it was part of her Christmas collection years ago. Don't give up on me, I may find it yet.

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  10. Love your Thanks Judie quilt especially.:) Congrats on the ribbons!

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    1. It was a lot of fun to make and I got a special note from Judie herself saying how much she liked it. And I know she prefers the cooler colors over the warm cheddars so it was truly a big thing!

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  11. Oh my! Congratulations on winning your two ribbons for your gorgeous quilts!

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