Quiltingboard Forums - The FWS Pony Club Quilt-Along Wk 22 Handy Andy & Hen and Her Chicks Discussion Page

Good Grief ... I had a post all typed and went to post and it went poof! .... whyyyyyy?
Let's try this again!! :)

Thanks everyone for all your kind words .... I enjoy the showing not so much to "beat" others, but to learn more and to see how my work measures up. It's one of the few opportunities I have to see my work alongside others. And too, to see IRL how others do things, colour combos, ideas (not that I need more!). I especially like it when a Judge leaves a comment on the back of my card, so I can learn something more.

GGal ... oh please pay little attention to me! We have a lot of better skilled quilters around our PC campfires and throughout the QB than I am or ever will be. What I know has come from others sharing IRL and here on the QB. I have learned ever SO much since discovering the QB last April and am so thankful for the opportunity to be amidst so many talented people.

OKSGlad ... Most of our fairs allow for a 2 year window, as did this one .... thus Miss Mazel had eligibility! Some are only for one year, and some don't specify. It's a little frustrating and tedious, as all the fairs belong to the same association, OAAS, yet they all may have different rules or interpretations of them. Sometimes the different rules are so they can encourage more entries.

For example, most of the fairs and their classes are for quilts pieced and quilted by the same person, with specific classes to types of piecing and/opr quilting. Usually those fairs will have one class for handquilted by someone else, also LAQ, as was this fair, and we must show the quilter's name on the entry tag. Thus I am limited, being that so far I have had my larger quilts done by others. One of the fairs I show at in the fall, a few years ago recognized they were getting few quilt entries as many were not quilting their own. So they opened it up and now they have an incredible show of quilts ... even better because all of their quilts are hung out fully.

The size requirements are easy to figure out ... sometimes they give length/width, though now most give total outside measurements minimum/maximum. Interpreting definitions "wall hanging", "centrepiece", "fibre", "needlework" are a few that create confusion .... and yes, each fair, each judge, and even different members of the same fair committee, may have a different definition. Sure makes it a little frustrating when you're trying to figure out whether to enter an item or not ... or what class to enter it in!

Another little difference I've noticed here in other QB discussions ... most always we are required to include samples of the fabrics used (likewise for knitting/crocheting). So after having to scramble to find these in the past, I've now learned to keep samples when making things if there's even a remote chance I might show it. Much less stress to just have to trim them up when the time comes. And yes, you've guessed it, each seem to have a different "rule" on the size of those samples! Fairs that will be hanging the quilts, require a 4" rod pocket. These may be sewn on or with safety pins ... so I have a massive collection of those, and what a tedious job that becomes! :)

I should add ... you don't get rich when showing here. Often under $10 for a first prize, the most I've received was $25. Sometimes there are extra prizes for example: most points in a section; new entrant with most entries in a section; judge's choice; special classes sponsored by outside groups/individuals (that's the yellow ribbons you'll see along with the reds). Then out of that "big" income :D ... your mileage for two trips to the fair, your time to do so, fair admissions (of course, you have to go to the fair to see the results and check the other entries) .... and all that frustrating time at home trying to interpret all the rules! It's all worth it in the non-$$ rewards!!!! :D

I hope that gives all of you a little idea about showing at our Ontario Fairs.
And too, I hope others will tell us a little about their showing experiences and requirements.