I wouldn't let it get you down , there are those who run other folks down just to make there selfs seem big.
Just shake it off and do what pleases you and your friend.

Well I would just have to be tacky and say poo-poo to her. She must apparently be jealous because she didn't enter and win a ribbon. I say Go for It. I just entered 6 quilts in our local Fall Fair, small town event, that was held this week-end. Our local quilting group enters every year and we have sort of our own quilt show, mostly just the ladies in our group and invita anyone else in town who wants to enter. We have been doing this for years. Many people in town come out just to see the quilts. This year I only rec.'d one ribbon a second place an not on a quilt I expected to place on at all. We had a new judge and we think she isn't a quilter and may not know much about quilting. We almost always have a judge from another county to judge our quilts, in the past most have been quilters and very good quilters too. We have had one judge in the past on several occasions that has judged in many surround towns and came and gave us a short seminar on the ins and outs of entering quilts and what the judges should look for in a quilt entery. She appeared to be very knowledgeable about judging.We had over 30 quilts enteret and only 9 ribbons given out, and the best of show, had a second place ribbon on her quilt. In yhe past we have always had lots of ribbons given out- who knows. I'm not intending to be complaining, you either win or you don't, I'm old enough to know that and not be a cry baby over not winning. But in the past I have won something on just about every quilt I entered., But that's part of the game, win or lose, it's still fun to enter. We also had a table with items, not to be judged biut just for display showing what quilters make besides quilts. I had 3 cross stitch items and won first,second and thord ribbons on them.
I think it is whether you want to display your work or not! We always look forward to the fair each year.

I agree completely. Support your local fair! I think it is neat.

And, my first impression of some really NEAT quilting (before I saw those quilts, I thought it was stupid to cut up fabric and sew it back together again) was at the Alaska state fair in Palmer years and years ago. I was so impressed by the quilts hanging up there. I couldn't imagine doing something like that even though I could sew just fine.

So, before you listen to those who say "boycott the fair" think of what would happen "if everyone did". No one would have any quilts in the fair and pretty soon our younger sewers might not even see one if they don't have family who makes them. (I don't--though I have a lot of seamstresses in the family.)

I do it all the time. The person who put it down is probably just jealous. The prizes are not huge, but if the judges give commentaries, you may well learn how to improve your work.

There are 2 quilt shows in my county, about a month apart. They are a great way to meet other quilters and simply have fun. Enjoy.

I feel sorry for someone with this mentality. They miss out on so much heartwarming fun because they are 'above it all'. In my opinion, it can get pretty lonely up there and the sad part is it is self inflicked all because of pride (which is never a good motive). So, you are on the right track, have fun, get ready for next year's fair!!

I have entered quilts at the county fair. Some years I have won ribbons and other years not. This year I got a blue ribbon, "Best of Show" with a rosette and an engraved Silver Bowl along with an additional premium check. In the past I have been involved with fairs from the judging end. I know that even at the very small fairs in our state, the judges do know something about quilting. They usually belong to a local guild and have knowledge of quilting. However, judging a show at the county fair is "one person's opinion". Everyone won't agree with the judge. As for the "quilting snobs" that think you shouldn't enter items at the fair, just move on.

I don't enter anything into our local fair because I'm afraid my quilts will come home smelling of livestock and smoke - which while it doesn't bother others, is all I smell when I'm there.

I was thinkng the jealous thing too...who would poo pooh on your good intentions! Go tell her to crawl back in her hole that is filled with her own poo! I am proud of what you have done !!! The he... with her snotty a.. ! As you can tell some people tick me off. Sorry!

First of all, congratulations to you both! As for the scoffer...jealousy is a color for a quilt, don't you think? I've never been brave enough to enter my quilts into any shows...maybe someday I will have the confidence and do this!

How far away from the livestock exhibits are the textile exhibits? The only time I've seen textiles in the livestock exhibits is when the owners/handlers have something hanging up around their areas.

Where would the smoke smell come from? I think smoking is banned in most public buildings in Minnesota.

The main concern I would have for exhibiting anything at any fair is the fear of possible loss or damage of the exhibit.

I am entering a quilt or wall hanging this year, for the first time. Our County Fair is about 12 mi. away, and a challenge to get there. But the girls who have entered say it is a lot of fun.
Mariah

Congrats!!!! Any fair or show is a lot of fun and even more so when a person wins a ribbon for their work. I hope you enter every chance you get and enjoy each and every one of them!!

Hey, you had fun and you won a ribbon. Enjoy! Let that lady walk behind the horses in her own parade! :p

I work in the office that schedules the judges for our tiny county fair. We DO want judges who know something about the items they are judging. If we discover that one of our judges isn't up on their topic - she/he is put on the do-not-call list. Please, enter in your local fair and enjoy any prize you win/earn! The party pooper probably entered once and didn't receive the 'proper' accolades so now it is beneath her. Me, I just love to look and enjoy ALL entries.

I'm sure you have heard the expression "Kiss my Grits"!! Seems like an appropriate response to you fellow Guild member!!! Not everyone has the opportunity or confidence to apply for the "big" shows! You hold your head up high and be PROUD you got that ribbon for your hard work!!!

As quilters we need to support our local fairs. I always enjoy looking at all the quilts that were entered. I also won a blue ribbon on a quilt that I entered. Enjoy your blue ribbon and keep entering.

I have never entered one in the fair but sure do enjoy looking at all of those that do make it there. there's always one rain cloud waiting to rain on some one's parade , so don't let yours discourage you and your friend. enjoy

I've been working for weeks to finish some quilts to enter in the Grayson County, Texas, fair. I am a basic non-competitor who enters things in the fair so people will know quilting, embroidery, home canning, baking, home garment sewing, photography, folk art, etc.-- mostly for joy and hardly ever for profit--are alive an well in our community. It's just fun to see the "stuff" that other people in the community create and it gives all the rest of us lots of good ideas.
As for judging, back in the days when I kept bees in far West Texas, the bee keepers association wanted to encourage backyard beekeepers and since we didn't have enough members to make much of a showing, several of us entered our honey using the names of our dogs. The dogs' honey won ribbons several times. I'm sure the judges would have been embarrassed had they known they had been flim flammed, but several people who didn't know you could keep bees in your backyard got into it after seeing the large number of entries and after that, we had enough entries to retire our canine beekeepers. I wish people would stop acting as if things that ought to be fun are things that are deadly serious.. froggyintexas

Why is it beneath you? I love fairs and I always look if they have quilts displayed. Don't let her rain on your parade. I think it is the root of having quilts displayed. Don't you think people competed and displayed quilts at fairs before they did at big fancy quilt shows?

First of all,congratulations to you and your friend. Secondly it is attitudes just like this that is destroying small towns across America!

I think it would be great to win at a fair (or anywhere else). I do know of a sad story though regarding quilts at a fair. A friend of mine had entered before and won, but last year a mouse might have liked her quilt more than the judges as it ate little holes (maybe to build a nest) in her quilt. She was devastated by all her work being eaten. That said, she is working to repair it and still it looks better than lots of my quilts (with no mouse help). I do not ever aspire to enter a quilt in a juried quilt show, but maybe at a fair sometime (and I will not worry about the mice; I think)... I think quilts are for everyone, not just the judges.

Well POO on her. She is just jealous because you won. Seems there is always someone who is a real snob.....

We have a small county fair here in Skagit county Washington. I have lived here for 6 yrs and this was the first time I got to go. My oldest son took me and the quilts were beautiful to see and there were quite a few of them. There were some simple ones and some very very intricate ones. Quilting seems to be making a big comeback and I think it is great. Then in the summer during the Blast From the Past celebration The quilt guild had an exhibit in an empty store. Some really lovely quilts to see. So just enter your quilts and be proud. I may even enter one next lyear in the fair. My boys keep telling me I should. smile.....

I love entering quilts in our county fair--that's what the fair is all about--people celebrating what they've done all year and providing inspiration for everyone! That's one of the reasons I found out about our Guild and took beginner's lessons 2 years ago. So go for it and thumb your nose at your critics!

Fairs were the original places where ladies showed off their quilts - this is a grand tradition. The idea of a big-deal quilt show (which I also love, don't get me wrong) is relatively new. Congratulations to you not just for winning but for contributing to a lovely and rich tradition.

Seems to me when we think what something else is doing is "below" us - that says a lot more about us than about the other.

You can learn a lot by entering a fair. I've watched judging and the judge gave lots of tricks and tips. A good judge will praise the good stuff and critique the not so good...it's a learning experience. How can you learn if someboday doesn't give you a real honest critque? I would like to get better at what I do. Getting a ribbon is not so bad either. :)

What a snobby thing to say. I think it's wonderful and a credit to you and your friend. I was just involved in a
local county fair, and there was a quilt barn for quilts. I am still amazed at the quality of the quilts that were displayed at this fair. They were spectacular. So, congratulations and feel proud.

Our local county extension agent goes to great lengths to find judges who DO know their stuff, depending on the category. She is careful to organize judges from other counties as well... Some judges travel up to 100 miles to judge! I think it would be a safe assumption that many county fairs are judged in this way, too...

All that to say... Congratulations on your winnings!!! Don't let anyone poo poo on your parade!!!

My guess is that the poo poo-er probably entered a quilt in the exact same fair and it didn't win. At least that's the way I'd interpret it. Besides, you are doing a great service to those of us who have to go to county fairs and would really love to look at something besides tractors and pigs.

Having entered quilts in the state fair several times, My first in 1969 and the last in 2012. I won a 3rd place on the first one and was quite proud of myself. I won a second on the one this year. I can't remember when and what got on the others over the year. I entered 3 quilts in a smallish quilt festival (about 150 quilts) and brought home a ribbon an all three. first place, second place and honorable mentiion. It felt as good to me as if it was in Houston!!

I don't know why I'm still surprised by rudness, it's a shame some people are not happy unless they are making someone else feel insignificate. I love county fairs because I can see the handiwork of friends and family. Keep supporting your county fair and have fun.

I do not enter at our large County fair becuse although the building is very large a lot of the quilts are just folded and their beauty is never seen. Not fair to the quilter.

I have no feelings about entering a quilt in a local fair. I do say congradulations on you wins, because someone thought that it was a great quilt from the other ones that were enter. It took time and preparations for you to just do that. There are always going to be those people that would put you down. But have they entered anything in any type of competition.
Are you happy with your accomplishment, and because of that are you going to output and accomplish more because of it. If so? Then its a win for us, the onlookers that admire what you did and want to encourage you to do more.

I just wish I could have seen the quilts.

Love your effort and enthusiasm.....continue.

If you want people to see your quilts, go for it. At the fair's I have gone to the judges are quilters from the area and I would think they know something about quilts. Personally I would rather receive a peoples choice award than something judged by "professionals".
Congratulations on your award.

I disagree that judges at the fair know nothing about judging quilts! I was involved in judging at our local fair a number of years ago and we tried to find people to judge who knew something about each of the "sewing" projects that were entered.