How many Feel sooooo Terrible after a quiltshow that:
 

They'd Rather Not even look or think or want to ever Do another Thing much less a Quilted Thing. Ooooooo!!!!! I'd Rather Not!!!:thumbdown:

Actually, I have only been to a couple of small shows and I felt inspired to make a new pattern or one that I had been thinking of - I know I won't be one of those award winning nationally known quilters - but I love it and I want to keep on learning all the time.

Yeah, I usually walk away inspired as well. There is a place for all of us ;-)

I like going to the quilt shows, but sometimes I feel like such a hack. I don't imagine I will ever be as skilled as some of the people there, but I know the people I quilt for are happy with my work, so I just keep going. I love doing it and I think I get better, the more I do.

Is someone going to look at one of my quilts and see if my points match? I hope not. I just want them to wrap up in it and enjoy it.

Hear, hear! I like to look, but rather here on the board. This gives me a lift!

I always feel motivated after a quilt show, even the top national ones. I want to try harder! Not being the best quilter does not bother me at all. I enter my quilts in shows knowing they are not awe inspiring but hoping someone will see it and think I can do that!

I kind of understand where you are coming from. I see all the beautiful quilts that I could probably never do or would take me a long time to do and feel small in comparison. But, if I look at the quilts as someone working their butts off really hard to make those, I don't feel bad. I feel that if I wanted to put in the extra effort, I could do it too. I know I could. Well, not all of them, but a lot of them. Some of them are just to be admired...just beautiful works of art. I could never do that. But I could do a lot of the quilts at the show if I wanted to put in the time and effort. I usually don't want to put in that much time and effort.
I think there are a lot of A type personalities out there churning out those beauties. More power to them. Thanks to them, I get to see something magnificent! Now, back to my reality.

Not me, gives me something to aspire to

Just the opposite. I get inspired about new techniques, patterns, colors ideas. I also get inspired to improve the skills that I already know.

I love seeing "perfect" quilts, even though I know I'll never produce one. Doesn't bother me, as I have other talents. :)

wouldn't you love to sidle into their brains or be a fly on their walls.

Okay. Call me shallow. I can't wait for the big quilt show starting next week because I like to shop and, by the way, look at the quilts.

I really get inspired by some of the quilts I see at the quilt shows. It helps me aim higher in my own skills. I am more aware of different ways of doing things and keep up to date on some of the newer patterns and techniques. Yes, there are some things I wouldn't want to do, but there are so many things I would love to do. Thus picture taking and computer files of those pictures.

Also, there is generally more at quilt show than just the quilts. I enjoy looking at the vendors' booths and seeing what they have.

ali

Being an idiot who put a quilts in a show I don't think I would do it again. It was as perfect as could be. BUT I was walking round and behind 2 ladies coming up to my double sided quilt. Of course I began to earwig. "Don't you think she should have got her seams straightforward those lines.. " if they had looked it was a wavy 5 lines representing a treble clef., with trapunto Bargello notes on top, play rock any baby. It was my artistic license. I was so upset and it shows we should not earwig only hear bad things.

I absolutely LOVE the virtual quilt shows that so many of you post! Nothing better than checking out the latest quilt show while in my nightgown and DRINKING COFfEE! Can't do that at a real quilt show!

If they have spectacular quilts on display upon entering the the show i usually think "why do I even bother"? But after a few seconds I do get inspired.

I love going to quilt shows, because I come home so rejuvinated and inspired! I love everything about them: the quilts, vendors, everything. I could go to one every month, lol!

Just got home from the AQS show in Des Moines. I try to keep in mind that some quilts are made "just for looking", they would never go on a bed. Some quilts were actually made to be put on a bed, but not to be sat upon. Other quilts were made to wrap around you and be "used". All are beautiful in their own way.

Quilt shows are nice, but I like this board better. There are so many fabulous quilts posted on here and if I post one of my pathetic quilts no one picks it apart. They always make me feel good about my efforts. Case in point, I posted and applique yesterday with my pitiful FMQ quilting and got so many encourageing responses that maybe I will continue to practice and try to get better. Thanks to all on this board.

Not seriously quit...but I have joked with my friend that I wasn't sure whether some of those masterpieces make me want to quit or try harder- lol.

I've been to all kinds of shows - some of them with some beauties I could never imagine doing, and others with quilts I know are in my "category." They are all great to look at and be admired in their own ways. A couple of things we've realized during shows is that a) we are usually waaaay too critical of our own stuff...and b) even the simplist and most elementary designs can be absolutely gorgeous when executed with certain colors/values. A quilt doesn't have to be fancy or perfect to be beautiful and, especially, loved (thank goodness!).

not me, I feel inspired, Im just not there yet, maybe I will never be, but I love the journey.

I always come home from quilt shows, especially the very large, juried shows, motivated beyond belief. There is nothing that restores my drive, creativity, enthusiasm and desire to excel more than seeing top of the line quilts 'up close and personal'.

I don't compare my work to anyone else's, but I do compare it to my own goals. Quilt shows raise my goals and keep me growing as a quilter. For me, that's what it's all about.

Quilt shows are intimidating. I will never be that good. Also not rich enough.
I see all the quilting cruses and fancy machines etc. it is depressing.

The last big quilt show I went to I saw that the winning quilts were so heavily quilted with mico-stitching that it was almost impossible to pick out the pattern and colors of the actual quilts. I found I didn't like them.

The ones that didn't win were for the most part more enjoyable. I could see the quilt as a whole and admire the overall concept. My favorites have a bit of humor to them!

I am not jealous nor do I aspire to making quilts like those. It is obviously that many many hours were spent to make those masterpieces and, although I really enjoy quilting, I have a more balanced life and want to do other things besides just quilt!

Like others have said mine are made to be enjoyed and used and will never be in a show.

I too, always come away from a quilt show inspired. I have only entered smaller shows but have attended a big national. I don't know if I would ever enter something as big as MQX but it is something to aspire to. I try my best to never enter any show with any expectations. I do it for the fun of seeing my quilt hanging up and sometimes I have observed spectators reaction to my quilt, which I also enjoy. I try not to eavesdrop but it is difficult, although I have been most fortunate to never hear bad things said.

We must always remember that quilt show judging is subjective, even though portions of them are objective (general construction of the quilt) the overall appearance and what a judge likes is what first gets a judges attention, then they critique in closer for the objective parts. The judges personal preferences, likes and dislikes, will always come into play. A quilt that does poorly in one show may win best of show in another. You just never know how things will come out so it is best to not go in with any expectations or hopes... THAT is what leads to the dissappointment and feelings of just wanting to quit. I am with Ghostrider, often what I see at shows gives me something to aspire to.

I would have to put myself in the inspired group. I love quilt shows, I love studing the patterns and the quilting. Then I come home all excited and can't wait to get to the basement to start quilting again.

Hmm are their quilts really "perfect" or they better at covering up their flaws than we are? I can pretty much guarantee you there are NO "perfect" quilts. But when you look at them, they are beautiful and you want to be able to make one too. At least that is how I feel.

Everyone one has to start some where and not everyone has the same gifts. I am new to quilting and just looking at all the quilts on QD could terrifie me not to ever start but I watch learn listen and ask for advise. We continue to learn I may never be 1/4 as good as all of you but at least I tried .

Tee hee, kind of reminds me of when I go to the Parade of Homes in our area. When I come back to my teeny condo, I feel so down. For a little while. Then I just say oh well, at least I have only one bathroom to clean, walk into my spare room that is just for my "not as good as the quilts at the show" quilting and start work on the "not as good as the quilts at the show" quilt that I will give to someone who will love it.

I'm confused. Are you saying that you, yourself, are one of those who leave quilt shows feeling discouraged, depressed, dejected and disheartened? If you quilt for others, surely your self-confidence is higher than that. Both your profile and screen name indicate that your occupation is quilting...are you perhaps in the wrong line of work?? Just curious why the question came up.

I do not ever expect to be as skilled as some people. I do it because I enjoy doing it and I try to make it fun rather than a job.

I'm so sorry that quilting shows are a downer for you..... do you go with a friend or by yourself? I usually have a friend to go with and the little shows around here have all kinds of quilts..... some extra nice, others just so-so. We love to chat about which ones we've tried and which ones we'd like to try. (I didn't think about the quilters hearing our chatter) But it is an outing for us and we always take a few pictures. Every person that quilts has some things that they aren't as proud of as other things..... we are all in a learning process. And, I know some very good quilters that still aren't happy because of some little flaw in their quilt. RELAX!! don't we do this because we enjoy it? No pressure!!

So sorry you feel this way. I love going to quilt shows. The quilts you see are all just wonderful. Ladies/Men do great work.

I just went to the Des Moines Quilt Show yesterday!! It was awesome !! One thing that gets me everytime is how many different ideas people come up with, and their color choices. I for one get inspiration at these shows. I got home and was so happy looking at the new book and the (3) fat quarters I purchased. Those shows are overwhelming to say the least. But when I got up this morning I was a happy camper sitting down at my machine and sewing. There I am in my comfort zone..

I am one who comes away inspired to keep improving and learning new skills. I enjoy the shows but really do not have the desire to enter any of my quilts/quiltlets, they leave my home as soon as they are finished. So I would have none to enter if I decided to do it!

I love going to quilt shows, too. Sometimes I am bothered that certain quilts are hung as works of art. I can remember several that I wondered why they had been selected. But others I loved, loved. Not that I would ever be able to create that beauty--even in 3 lifetimes! I go to be inspired, just like I buy magazines--I get to enjoy them over and over.

I come out wanting to buy a ton of stuff and start playing. I have learned that I get such a kick out of playing with new techniques and free motion quilting, that even if it looks like crap when I am done, the process was fun. The next time I do it, things improve. I really think there is a secret quilting fairy that makes things look better the next day, after all!!! :D

when I return from a quilt show (and I go to a lot of them) I am hot to trot, can't wait to get to the machine and quilt for hours, or start a new project I saw at the show ( I think that's why I have so many UFOs)

I love looking at the quilts. They are all so beautiful. There are many here that enter quilts in shows that never think they will win and the do. When I look at all the beautiful quilts here on the board it is like a mini quilt show, just no ribbons. So keep quilting.