How do you feel about entering quilts in to local fairs?
 

A friend of mine and I entered our quilts and quilted wall hanging in to the local Fair. It is a small fair but does have all the trimings of a fair. Livestock, home goods and crafts, 4-H and even a crash derby. Just a small town fair.

My friend and I both won ribbons for our entries. Now we are not talking big judged quilt show or anything like that but we won and are excited about it ......Till! One of the ladies from a guild we know just thinks that is was beneath us to enter anything in to a fair! She really Poo-Pooed on our parade.

So, my question is "How do you all feel about entering quilts in a local fair?"

lots of people enter their quilts in local fairs. Are the Quilt Police at it again. Poo Poo one them. Congratulations it may lead to bigger and better things.

I've never entered anything at a fair only because it has never been convenient. However, I would be oh so proud to have won a ribbon! I don't understand why it would be beneath anyone to enter their creations. JMHO

Yes, as to leading to bigger, better things, it's a great way to build your portfolio. Having any ribbons or awards puts you ahead. Congrats on the ribbon, don't let anyone rain on your parade!

I've entered my quilts in the local fair, and it was fun. Don't let any one put down your achievement!

Janet

Well phooey on the Quilt Police!!! I have never heard of anything like that around here. Wining at a fair is celebrated here.

Dina

If you want other people to see your work, fine. But the judges know next to nothing about quilting-----------they're chosen for who they are, not what they know. So if you are looking for a fair critique------------don't enter quilts here.

i've been entering quilts in the fair for years- it is fun, i enjoy going in & looking at other entries (even vote for one once in a while) it is all in fun- not a juried show- and should not be looked down upon by anyone- our area has a huge guild & very few members would consider such a thing- but i grew up with 4-H and the spirit of the fair. it is pretty normal for almost all entries to win a ribbon of some sort- nothing wrong with that either- just ignore the *uppity* minded who think they are so far above that- it is sad people have to be so negative about things like this- what does it matter if the farmer's wife was the one *judging* passing out the ribbons?
the fair is a fun time.

I usually enter at least one in our county fair and have won several ribbons, not only for my quilts, but for counted cross stitch and photography. It's fun--if I win a ribbon, that's great--if not, I still have fun showing off my things. And I enjoy looking at all the other entries.

I haven't entered any quilts because mine leave the house as soon as they are finished, but entering apparel was fun. I used to win enough cash to buy at least one pair of school shoes for one of my children. I was put off because I was marked down because the thread used to overcast a seam that might ravel wasn't the same shade of green as the suit or the rest of the thread. It would never show, for heaven's sake. But it was still fun to enter and go check on the ribbons. Enjoy yours.

I LOVE looking at quilts in fairs and get a lot of inspiration from seeing what others do. If the judges (who see a lot of quilts) gave you a ribbon, be proud! As for the comments from the lady from the guild - not nice :thumbdown:.

Could she have been jealous? Some people just hate for others to be happy!

And I suppose they only shop at Macy's too...wouldn't be caught dead in Walmart....oh geese...give me a break. Do whatever you like! I am happy for you.

I enjoy sharing my work with others, and the fair is a perfect venue for that. Making quilts for the fair encourages me to increase my skills, and I try to do my best work for my entries. Our fair has several categories and quite a few entries. The head of the "textiles" department is a member of the guild, and at least 2 of the people on her committe are also members. This year 2 members of the judging team were also guild members. In other words, our guild does not look down on the fair, but supports it and encourages our members to participate.

This year I am most proud of the 3rd place ribbon I won with my "Lucky Stars" quilt (shown a few months ago on the forum) in the machine quilting department. I struggle with machine quilting, but with the QAYG technique and the improvements I have made this year, I was able to make a quilt that I wasn't ashamed to enter in a class that has numerous entries.

Dayle

I think that entering contests pushes me to improve my skills. It's fun! Go for it! The woman from your guild must have entered and not won anything at some time in the past.

Some fairs are better than others - some judges are better than others - but the person that rained on your parade was a (won't insult the female canines here) party pooper.

A 'local' fair may have a so-so judge - or the person may be very good at the job - even if she was a farmer's wife. Probably one way to tell about the judging is to rate how the ribbons were awarded. Most of the 'farmers' wives' that I grew up around were extraordinarily accomplished people.

My guild runs the fair and I'm the chairman. I selected the judge. We only have one judge and whoever is chairman makes sure the judge is a good one. At least 90% of the entries in our fair are from guild members. We love to show off and compete with each other.

Same here-I grew up with 4H and so did my kids. Part of the fun of the fair is seeing your entries! I usually enter 5 or 6 things: a couple quilts, kids clothes and maybe a bag or two. sometimes i get ribbons, sometimes not. Still fun either way.
the judges are usually from another county and have expertise in that category. The names on the entries are hidden until after the judging. The board and committee members put in a lot of long hours to make a fair a success.

this is me, also.

When you enter a quilt in a "quilt show", it will be judged and seen almost exclusively by other quilters so their standards will be more to do with the technical aspects.

At a "fair" your quilts will be seen by a larger variety of people may be more about first impressions, pretty colors and visual interest and don't care a hooey about how perfect the stitches are.

Like someone else said already, I enter contests to push myself. I put an art quilt in a recent fair and the judge's comment was that it wasn't evenly quilted over every area. True, it was not. True also, it wasn't a bed quilt and not very large and didn't need to be evenly quilted, but that was the judge's standard. Ok by me, it's a fun quilt to look at and I got lots of nice comments from people viewing it.

Good for you to show your quilts at the fair and allowing people to enjoy your work! I wish you could hear the speaker that we had recently at our quilt guild. Her name is Lola Jenkins and if you can look her up or ever have a chance to see her, she is great! But one of the things she talked about was a "lady" who always rained on her parade when she was a new quilter and had the nerve to actually show her quilts. She has such a funny take on this type of person and has risen so above that type of person, very inspirational! Sounds like we may have a couple of those rainy people right here on this board! To each his own! I'm just trying to enjoy.

I think it is a wonderful honor to put your quilts into a fair......don't let the silly old negative Nellies tell you any different.

Congratulations on your ribbon. You should be proud. Thanks for sharing your achievement with your friends here on the quiltingboard.

We don't have a fair in our little town. But we do have a festival! Our local quilt guild has put on a show the last few years. It is nothing fancy. The public does the voting. Such as overall favorite; most colorful; Which one we think was the hardest to do....ect...all in fun and we get to see such beautiful work from some wonderful quilters. Some are even old quilts passed down in families. Just to show pride and history. If we can not show our work with pride I guess we can't post them on here? Or show them at our guilds? CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR WONDERFUL ACCOMLISMENT!

one might even ask where is her ribbon? or was she too scared to enter incase she didnt get one and you did! congratulations on your win.

If you get right down to it.... weren't local fairs really the first "Quilt Shows" before there were more formalized quilt shows?

Just ignore her. That's why I'm not in a guild anymore. I've entered quilts at our county fair and been proud of the ribbons I've won.

s

WOW! GrannieAnnie that's a LOT of assumptions there!

Maybe that's what you think happens ... but I tend to think that you are way off course on this one. And it would appear that many of the other posters disagree with your assumptions as well.




I enter my quilts at the Fairs. It's a thrill just to see them hanging there. If I win a ribbon, then great!! If not, I still have the opportunity to learn from the other quilts around and to gain more inspiration.

No, we don't always agree with the Judges decision(s) ... that's the nature of the situation, being that we don't get to talk to them one-on-one. We can still learn from our own observation and yes, somewhat judging them too ... I try to walk away with a new technique I want to try or studying other entries to see why mine placed where they did.

I have not entered a quilt in a fair, but love to see them. This year the skill range that was represented ranged from beginner to exceptional. Next year I may have something to enter.

Just ignore her comments. She's probably an old poo-poo head anyway! Enjoy your ribbon and be proud of your quilt. Some people just can't stand for others to be happy!

If it wasn't for our local guild entering in our County fair, there would not be much of a quilt display. Now don't get me wrong, our little county fair is one of the best smaller fairs in the state. We have a very active 4-H, well known talent for night shows, and very nice, well maintained grounds. The gate is free. Our guild has a booth at the fair as PR, and we raffle off a quilt, and we always make sure there are plenty of quilting entrys to judge. I agree with the level of judging you may or may not get at the fair. It all depends on who they can find. We have had some very good ones, and others that did not have any knowledge about quilting. Most of us know exactly what to expect, and we enter for the main reason of letting people know what we have accomplished.

POO POO ON HER.....let her express her high and mighty opinion and let it enter one ear and go out the other...good grief...your quilts won ribbons....you have them she doesnt...haha...BTW...congrats ...bet she is GREEN with envy in reality

I think it's great that you exhibited in your local fair.....frankly, if we don't continue to support these community events by participating/attending, there won't be any in the future. As for judging, does it really matter if the person is "quilt qualified" or not.....Enjoy your win and continue to support local events....maybe this will be the little push to get your quilts out there to more "formal" events...whatever...be happy and don't let rude remarks put you off.

I wish I could enter a quilt in a local show - but I don't have one right now to enter and there isn't a show around here to do that. I am working on one that I should be able to do that w/, now it'll be finding a show or two. I do need to check more into the county fair......Shows need to show more hand quilting!!!

Did she poo pood because maybe she is jealous? Any how I would not let her bother you, enjoy your parade !!!

Congrats on your win:thumbup:. Ignore the wet blanket QP, she just jealous cause she's never won anything.

I get so irritated with people who rain on other parades. While I haven't entered a quilt in a fair myself, I do love going and seeing them. We are not an elite society of quilters. We all quilt for the love of it, and no matter if it's a ribbon winner or not, our quilts have a place in our hearts and those of the receipients. My humble opinion is that someone who looks down their nose at someone else, usually has something kinda snotty up there!!! :D So congrats on your ribbons, and a big ole "WAY TO GO".

They will never know the feeling of "does it look good enough to enter in the Fair?" They will never know the anticipation of waiting to see if they get a ribbon. They will never know the joy one feel when someone says "Isn't that beautiful?", and it's yours. So what if you get a ribbon or not. So what if someone pooh-poohs your work or your feeling of seeing something entered in the Fair - be it County or State! You worked on this project, you completed it, you saw it hanging behind glass and you saw or did not see a ribbon. I have seen the ribbon and not seen the ribbon. From Crewel work to Hot Banana Peppers; from chocolate cake to Black Raspberry jelly with a sprig of Lemon Verbena (home grown) in the jar. From ceramics to porcelain - I have won ribbons, blue ribbons, best in show, but I did it, I am proud of it and to blazes with them that do not have an inkling of the love you put into your project, the hours, the money (which we never quibble about) and then to give it as a gift. Those people will never feel that. Feel sorry for them!!!!! They will never know what it is like to bond with a quilt; they will never know the satisfaction you feel when that last stitch goes in. They will never know the look on someone's face when you give them the quilt or whatever you have made. I think they are jealous and I don't think there is a worse feeling than jealousy!

County Fairs generally show before the State Fairs. Then the qualifiers from the County show in the State. My granddaughter made her first quilt ever and showed it in their County Fair. She got a ribbon. She is 11 years old and in 4H.

I wouldn't even think about it anymore. They are the unhappy ones, not you. Oh, yah, all of the above I did when I was over 50 years old. I thank God I can still do this, well, I don't paint anymore, but I do cook and I do quilt - and I think that is just fine for a 74 year old ding-y broad. I love my life now and I am not going to listen or take to heart anything anyone is going to say about something I did! My husband loves my work (probably the cooking the best) and that is the most important.

Congratulations on your ribbon! Buy yourself a picture frame and hang it in your sewing area. Nothing better than having a ribbon hanging!!!!! Edie

Some people are just rude and they can't seem to help themselves.Whatever! Their problem not yours.Congrats on you ribbon!