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I've always thought of the "white glove ladies" at quilt shows as protectors of the quilts.
I know that they are necessary - I would like to do some bare-handed touching of the displayed quilts - and I would suspect others would like to do so, too.
I wonder how grubby a quilt would get if it were touched by a thousand bare hands - even if every one of them had been freshly washed?
It isn't only dirt that would be a problem. Retail has a term "shop worn" for item that look old and shabby from being handled.
Singer 66 treadle, 15-91. JC Penney 6923. White 2334 Brother serger. And Singer 600 (Touch & Sew) that doesn't count because I only wanted the cabinet! RIP Singer 1036
I agree with Penny. The point is to reduce stress on the fibers. If you really would love to touch the quilts, why not volunteer to be a quilt turner & don the white gloves yourself?
But beyond that, the quilt probably would get grubby. I've seen news articles in places like Time about how dirty the money in our pocketbooks is -- covered in grime, germs & residue from illicit drugs. So icky! Same thing with those airplane blankets. Ew! My skin is crawling just thinking about those things.
Having done the job it is not only stopping people touching the quilts but to stop children eating chocolate or similar sweets with sticky fingers touching. And which I think is worse stopping people walking round from eating their sandwiches as they look. Also walking between quilts and their back pack or clothes being dragged past the quilts.
it appears a very unnecessary job as we are all from the quilting community but it is amazing the lack of respect some people show to the quilts.
Finished is better than a UFO
I love doing white glove duty at our local quilt show. You really get a real close look at all the gorgeous quilts and you get to hear all the comments people make, it's a real fun day
The biggest risk is the one not taken
The blankets I have gotten are sealed in a plastic bag. ?Same thing with those airplane blankets. Ew! My skin is crawling just thinking about those things.
I love my life!
Airline blankets are not always sealed in bags. I carry my own. But that's a whole 'nother discussion.Originally Posted by Onebyone
Quilts on display deserve to leave in the same condition they arrived in...which should be pristine. So, white gloves forever!
"A woman is like a tea bag-you can't tell how strong she is until you put her in hot water." Eleanor Roosevelt
I was always pleased to find my quilts when displayed at large shows and fairs behind where no one could touch.
A Good Friend, like an old quilt, is both a Treasure and a Comfort
I really have no problem with the gloves. I figure, I have touched so many quilts in my life, I know how they feel. One woman was repeatedly told (even though she had gloves on) not to get so close to the quilts. They ended up asking her to leave. She had so much makeup on she got it on a 'Judge's Choice". It was a light neutral. We know how hard make up is to get out of most things. This was right after the exhibit opened first hour of the first day. The quilter was in tears. If one cannot look at a quilt from 18"-24" at minimum, then they really should get glasses.
I don't get the touching thing, it is really a visual art, not a tactile one. We all know what quilts feel like. They are not fur coats.
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