Question about displaying a quilt in a local show
 

Recently I took an art quilt to my LQS for show and tell. The gals there were very complimentary and suggested I display my quilt in their outdoor quilt show, happening next month. The sign up was on line. When I went to sign up, I discovered they had a $10 sign up fee (that they were waiving since it is the first year they are doing this show) and it was required to sign a liability waiver stating the shop would not be responsible in any way for the quilts submitted. They warned it a was an outdoor show so the quilt could be damaged by weather (rain or sun damage). They wouldn't be responsible for theft, etc.

I have never displayed a quilt anywhere or entered in a competition, so I don't know what is "usually" done. However, I was stunned that they wouldn't be responsible for the quilts entrusted to their care. Needless to say, I didn't sign up to display my quilt.

What do y'all think of this? Am I just paranoid? I worked for 3 months solid on that quilt. I can't imagine handing it over for someone to display if they aren't going to be responsible for its care.

That is standard for all shows.

I have only been in one show and it was indoors. I would hesitate to display outdoors. That's just me though. I would worry about it being stolen.

In Calgary, Alberta, the Heritage Park quilt show is held annually in May, and many of those quilts are displayed outdoors. They have lots of volunteers around, and they watch the quilts and the weather. At the least sign of rain those quilts are whisked indoors to an alternate display area. Maybe ask what their plans are re security of the quilts and the plans for inclement weather too.

I think it is standard.

Area Quilt Guild had outdoor show in conjunction with a winery. Nice but never repeated it, maybe the liability is too high.

I just saw a posting on Quiltville that a beautiful redwork quilt went missing at Quilt Canada. I have seen too many quilts disappear from shows so I am really loath to put any in.

Oh my goodness....do people really steal quilts from display??? I'm stunned...really??????

It's generally up to you to insure the quilt if you're worried about damage. The shows will all "do their best" to keep the quilts safe, but they don't take full responsibility. Quilts do go missing sometimes.

I went to the Sisters quilt show earlier this month, one of my favorite shows. I love seeing the quilts outdoors and am glad that so many people, including some very famous quilters, are willing to display their quilts outdoors. There are people stationed around the show to watch out for people handling the quilts, and I'm sure they would notice if a quilt is taken down during the show. One year I was there when a thunderstorm suddenly rolled in. I helped take quilts down in the teachers' tent, and when we left we saw that quilts had been taken down all over town. They do get exposed to sunlight (depending on where they're hung) but little if any rain falls on them.

The quilts usually go missing after they're taken down, not while they're hanging.

If you're not comfortable, don't do it. Watch how they perform this year and then next year, maybe.

There has been a quilt damaged at the Houston Quilt Show in the past. It was during set up/tear down. That's why the quilts are now in a separate area instead of scattered throughout the show as they were in the past. I was very glad to hear that they caught a prosecuted the person who did it.

I don't fret over my quilts being outside. It's a quilt. The show is responsible for security such as helpers being alert and keeping an eye on the quilts. No one is suppose to touch a quilt except a helper or the owner. I wouldn't worry, the thrill of seeing your quilt on display is worth it.

our local guild show doesn't display outdoors, but we do carry liability for quilts lost/damaged and any one hurt on the show site.

I would be so hesitant to have one of my quilts displayed in direct sunlight. I agree with MaryKatherine in watching how the show is handled this year and then decide for the future. Your quilt will keep for a year unless you are planning to sell or gift it right away.

Thank you all for your responses. I will do as suggested; watch this year and see how they handle it all. The quilt is for me so it will keep til next year. I'm not looking for fame and fortune by displaying so if I never show one I don't think it will ever matter! Lol

Our quilt show is indoors, so that is a bit different from your question. On security though, it is a two-day show and during the day our guild members working at the show keep a sharp eye out. We have a security guard watch the quilts and vendor areas during the nighttime. We charge a minimal entry fee to help defray the cost of the facility. Mostly, though, we consider our quilt show a "Show and Tell" for the public so we welcome all types a levels of quilts.

I've had quilts displayed in local, state, national, and international shows. There is always a set amount of liability insurance included. If you want more coverage, you can buy it through the show if you include an appraisal of the quilt. I have no idea how easy it would be to collect the insurance money if there was a problem. I've never had a problem.

Our guild attended an outdoor quilt show in rural Ohio and it was said over and over, "How can anyone let these beautiful quilts be hung on barns and fences?". It was lovely to see all the quilts, but I wonder if the owners would do it again. Things happen.

After our show is over, the area is closed, and no one but the workers are allowed in there. All the quilts are taken down and each member's quilts are put into a pile on sheets on the floor. The owners are then escorted into the gym with a worker to pick up their pile, count their quilts and take them to check out where they are checked again. It's surprising how fast this gets done. Over an hour is allowed for you to get your quilts, but we are out of there long before the hour is up.

Years ago I worked for a small store in a local tourist area. You know the type, crafts of every kind. Twice under the watchful eye of the store owners quilts were stolen from displays. People who steal such as this do it for a living, and will take the quilts out of state and maybe across the country to sell where they won't be recognized. All I can say is, I'm sure glad I wasn't working either time a quilt went missing!

I was thinking about this and realized that I have shown at horse and car shows and both have required waivers. In reality there is no way that they could insure all the quilts because for an insurance company to insure something they need and independent appraisal of value. You could contact your homeowners ins company. They might cover your quilt but they, too, might require an appraisal.

The insurance for a quilt show is a big expense for the Promoters. I wouldn't put one in unless they had insurance. Things happen, not always intentional.