Friday, January 13, 2017

True Blue


Even though yellow is my favorite color, I am a true blue quilter. Not red with anger, not green with envy, but true blue! I enjoy every aspect of quilting from the shopping for fabric to the final finish. But one of my greatest pleasures is to be able to share what I make with other people.

So, when I received my rejection letter from the AQS Lancaster show, I was disappointed not just for myself, but for the fact that it will not be seen and enjoyed by other quilters. 

I have posted (from my soapbox) before about the fact that you need to have a thick skin and learn how to take rejection if you are going to enter judged shows. But, Barb’s post (here) encouraged me to say it ONE MORE TIME. Get your quilts out there!

Case in point, my friend was hesitant to enter her quilt. After MUCH encouragement, she did enter and was accepted. (I’m sorry I don’t have a picture to post, but will try to get one soon!) Now, every attendee gets to enjoy it!

We as quilters want to see quilts. ALL quilts. I see a trend with some of the major shows that worries me. It seems that they gravitate toward what is popular and marketable. And, yes marketability is important to keep quilting alive. But, so is seeing ALL the quilts that are being made today. Not just what is trending.

Thanks for listening. Enjoy the day and enter your quilts! 

19 comments:

  1. So, this answers my question. Sorry about Lancaster. Entering quilt shows is entering a very subjective territory. Different entry, different day, and you could be win the grand prize. But, you are a winner in my book regardless. I relate to wanting to see quilts, and people seeing my quilts.

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    1. Kevin, My quilt isn't going, but if all goes well, I am. Are you going? I would LOVE to meet you there! My group is planning a bus trip and it isn't quite set in stone so I am keeping my fingers crossed that we get enough people. And thanks for your kind words.

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  2. I love that you're so fearless about entering and so sorry that you didn't make it in. Barb had an excellent post this morning. I don't live near the larger quilt shows so I miss out on seeing all the great quilts. Still love to visit the smaller ones around my area and once in awhile I even enter. My quilting style is definitely different from what I see in our {expanded} area that it makes me really nervous to enter. Even when it's not juried! lol But I absolutely love to see other peoples quilts in person. Really inspirational and sometimes, it can make us feel better about our own work too. Hmm.. maybe my stuff isn't so bad? hehe

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    1. Your stuff is superb! And ironically this will be the first AQS show I have ever attended. I have had quilts in many of their shows but this will be the first time to see one in person. I love the local shows just as much because that is where we see the "real" stuff!

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  3. I have also found that some of the quilt shows tend to be leaning strongly away from the hand quilting. It really saddens me to see so many quilts so densely quilted.....I know the talents of the long are quilter should be show cased and I certainly rely on them to complete my quilts but I truely enjoy the art displayed in hand quilting.

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    1. You got that right! I admire the machine quilting that is being done today, but we are losing hand quilters left and right to the speed of the machine!

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  4. I know my quilting and piecing will never measure up to any big shows, but I do like to share then when i can.
    Sorry about your quilt not getting accepted.

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  5. I have to admit that I have never really had a desire to enter a show, but I have done a few trunk shows for local guilds. : )

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  6. Well, I love your quilt! I don't know the requirements for entering an AQS show or how they judge, but I think they missed on this one. I finally got up the courage last summer to enter some quilts in our local fair.

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  7. oooh oohh..maybe we can meet up! would love to see you...and i love this quilt even if the judges didn't....and still no snow here...i love it!

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  8. Wendy, your quilt is gorgeous!!! Thank you so much for sharing, and warm greetings from Montreal, Canada. :)

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  9. Wendy, your quilt is gorgeous!!! Thank you so much for sharing, and warm greetings from Montreal, Canada. :)

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  10. I always enjoy seeing your quilts and those of other bloggers as well. It's inspiration for me. You're right, local shows is where you see the "real" stuff.

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  11. Your quilts are beautiful and definitely show worthy!
    I'm at the stage in life where I sew only what I love. And I'm happy to share in non juried shows.
    (I put my quilts in a large show each year)


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  12. I so enjoy reading your blog and am sorry to hear that your quilt didn't make the cut for AQS Lancaster--it should have! You are such an inspiration!

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  13. I agree with the comment that you see some of the best quilts are at local shows. Many shows have to make money, I know you are aware of the time and money it takes to put on any quilt event...be it a quilt contest, show or exhibit.
    Love your work Wendy!

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  14. Love, love, love your leaves quilt and your attitude! :) True Blue!!

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  15. I just read Barbs post a little earlier and now this. I shake my head in disbelief. I hope the shows aren't only showing what's trending, the thing I like the most at quilt shows is seeing a variety of quilts. I cheer your positive approach.

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  16. It is hard to understand the reasoning that some of these people utilize in making decisions about which quilts to accept. I think yours is wonderful; and I had read Barb's comment as well. It's certainly not a reflection of your own quilt or its quality (which is just awesome) although I can see how that would make you feel rejected. Your work is just beautiful!!

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