I have been invited to show my work as the featured quilter at a guild show. Normally I give a trunk show/Demo/Lecture to guilds at their meetings. So most of my quilts are just the tops. At least the last 12 or so new quilts are all tops waiting for my LAQ to get to them (one quilt has been with a LA for 3 years!). At the meetings, I just mount them on heavy felt with a sleeve and hang them that way as a WIP. They seem to love it....but is it too tacky for a quilt show which is coming up real soon??

Seems to me a completed quilt is expected at a quilt show. Also, I'd find another LA to get your work done. Waiting more than 5 weeks is not acceptable, don't you think?

have you seen some of the quilts in shows??? tacky is not an issue

Since they invited you, I would just go with what you have. If you're concerned, you could send them a note before hand and tell them what to expect (tops mounted on felt) They are obviously interested in your wonderful applique tecnique, which the completed tops will display.

ok...im new and ive never YET been to a quilt show...
however...
isnt it the front of the quilts that people go to see anyway? thats all i would ooo and ahh over lol

I would just ask someone from the group if it would be okay!

if the show wants you to show WIPs then they are fine with it.

if the public gets upset about it believe me the show manager will know.

i really wouldn't spend too much time looking at WIPs for that reason - its not a completely project.

if you were standing there giving a lecture about your creative vision for each one then i would be more interested.

explain to the group and then make sure a large sign is there explaining the "unfinished" nature of the pieces.
An explanation will make it understandable by the public. But check with the group
Then call the LA and say you need the quilt finished so it can be exhibited and if she can't do it then get it to another.

Honestly, I want to see completed quilts when I go to a quilt show. I've never seen WIP displayed. I would find another longarmer immediately and get those suckers DONE!

THREE YEARS?????????

You must be VERY patient!

It would be nice to have at least one completed quilt. That being said, I recently saw an interview with a designer who travels with only quilt tops for her trunk shows. She said with the current airline policies on checked bags it's the only way she can take a lot of pieces.

WOW, three years at a longarmer that is unimaginable to me. Course I do my own quilting but honestly what's going on with that person that it would sit there for three years?

Personally, I have never seen an unfinished quilt at a show. As in your case for demos, trunk shows and lectures that would seem fine. Since you are to be the featured quilter I can only think your work must be fabulous. But judging at shows is a different story altogether. They are looking at the finished product to make their decisions regardless of who did the final quilting.

I would get in touch with your guild and find out what requirements they have to show your quilt. There are different rules for different guilds and shows. So that would be the first place to start.

With the price of airlines and shipping going thru the roof, I think alot of people will be showing quilt tops. They are sooo much lighter. After all, its the top we are interested in and I would love seeing the backs especially applique, to see how its cut out behind. I think this is a win-win situation. Being able to see these WIP's back and front may take some of the intimidation out of applique.

I disagree. I'm interested in seeing a quilt, not a top and the quilting is 50% of the finished piece. It's not a quilt unless it's quilted. I don't know of anyone who would show an unfinished top unless it was one, in an educational type booth to show construction.... Just my opinion!

It's my understanding this will be a special exhibit so for me the usual rules would not apply as long as signage indicates that.

It is a special exhibit. I do not belong to the guild and my quilts will not be judged. I will also be vending there and doing demos. I do have finished quilts also it's just that I like some of the newer unfinished ones a lot. Signage might do the trick or maybe they can be near the demo. Thanks for your suggestions!

I agree with many here that I would contact whoever is running that show and ask their thoughts on this. I also agree that I would have sought out a new LA quilter long ago. Three years is about two years and ten months too long to still have your quilt. :shock:

I think both are important. Quilting like the people on this board do really make a quilt. And bad quilting could spoil a beautiful quilt. Unless it is finished, it is not a quilt but a top.

Three years!?!?! Even I could get one done in that length of time. Either she is very good or you are very patient.

I'm one of those who is much more a top maker than a quilt finisher....so I'm more interested in the tops of quilts than the finishing techniques and quilting designs. I'd love a top-only show!

When I go to a quilt show I really enjoy the top but I definitely want to see the actual quilting also. I don't think a quilt is done until it is quilted and has a label (I have so many labels to get on).

At my guild's Quilt Show, it is finished quilts only. Some of the quilting on the quilts are beautiful! I think I would be disappointed to see tops only. It isn't finished until the binding in on. 3 years for a LA??? I would have brought it home before now and would have had it finished. It sounds as though your LA is not serious about her business.

I would enjoy seeing the unfinished tops, particularly if it makes it easier to see how you constructed the quilt.

Janet

I agree with some of the rest that you need to find another quilter. three years is a little much. Even for the best of them. I'd be getting my quilt back. And, as far as the show, the only ones I've ever been to, display finished quilts. But, I'd kinda like to see them myself, so why don't you give us a show here and let us decide?

I would agree about completed quilts, however, having been the featured quilter at our last show, I totally understand the pressure and do't feel it would be tacky at all. My only advice is something I forgot and wished I had done and that was to have a book or register for people to sign and leave their comments. After a few weeks, you forget who stopped by and what nice things they said. It would be great to have a lasting memento of that weekend.

"Three years!?!?! Even I could get one done in that length of time. Either she is very good or you are very patient." KwiltyKahy

Well, that confirms my suspicions...there really is a market out there for another LongArm-er!!!

Great idea, thanks!

You'd be surprised...at all of the quilt shows I've ever gone to, they offer latex gloves so that you can touch the quilts, turn them over, etc. and if you touch a quilt without a glove on and you're caught...let's just say, it's not pleasant! I'm not speaking from personal experience, I've witnessed it and it embarrassed me just hearing the chewing out the person got...
:oops: :oops: :oops:

The show is the weekend of April 1st. I'll take pictures while they are hanging at the show. My avatar is not yet quilted and my moose needs to have the borders finished,

Your quilt tops are beautiful! Please keep us posted as to what you do!

HAHAHAHA!!!!How true!

I would take back my quilts from the LA, 3 years is too long, and are you sure she still has them and that nothing has bappened to them. That happened to someone else on this board and when she contacted the LA, that person could not even find her quilt top. Call her immediately.

IMHO, you were invited, so go. I don't think showing finished tops only would be tacky.

They are stunning!

Your longarm quilter must REALLY be GOOD to leave a quilt there for THREE YEARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I agree, Holice...by the way, I really, really like your avatar!! Is that a quilt that you made? More importantly, do you have the pattern name for it -- I just LOVE it, particularly the bright colors that are used -- great job!

Our small group in a little tourist town decided to hang a show in the library, three stories, lots of banisters, balconies, blank walls and tables. Beautiful old polished wood and carvings. When everyone got their stuff hung, it was barely noticible in all that space.

I went home and brought baskets of UFOs and set up demonstration areas, stacked fabric, displayed blocks, WIPs, thread and notions. I heard more than one comment about all the strings but mostly raves for our show. Maybe it was tacky, but a real education for non-quilters.

In my opinion, I'd try to get them finished. Otherwise there will be lots of snide remarks from the peanut gallery. I usually don't criticize quilts out loud at shows because I'm there alone. But I have heard some not so complimentary comments from others. If you're the featured quilter, well, the attention to the details in your quilt will be intensified.

Holice: I've admired your avatar for some time as well. I love the rainbow colors. I would like to know about the pattern as well. Thanks

I think I'd check with the person who invited you, to be sure they understand what you would be displaying.

I haven't seen just quilt tops by a featured artist...all of them have been completed quilts.

I have to agree with this statement. :shock: Three years is really really waaaaay too long, even if she had explanations and you have been agreeing. There's no way she should have been putting you off for 3 years!!