Would you display quilts in an outside show?
 

I am considering entering 2 of my favorite quilts in an outdoor quilt festival.

Every quilter has to sign a release form that states, "The festival is an event where quilts are displayed outdoors, on buildings, porches, draped over fence rails and amongst trees. I understand that the organizers of the festival will take every precaution to safeguard quilts during the show, but will not be held liable for damage or loss. I understand due to the type of show, that my quilt(s) may be subjected to dust, wind, and sunshine on quilt show day." I also worry about rain.

Would you display favorite quilts in an outside show?

Elise

Personally I would not display my better quilts outdoors. Even my not so good ones I would be making sure I had the final say as to where they were placed.
I went to a "quilts in the garden" event. One of the quilts was placed underneath a dove coat!!! I was horrified seeing the white doves perched up on a branch over someone's beautiful quilt with their bottoms hanging over it.

Never!!!!!!!!!!!!

I attended the Sisters Quilt Show in Sisters, Oregon, which is held outdoors in July. After seeing how they were hung, I made the decision to never enter a quilt in that show. In addition to the conditions they listed on the release form, bird poo is another consideration, not to mention attendees spilling drinks, etc. This may seem ridiculous, but I saw someone trip, toss her drink up in the air, and quite a bit of it splashed on a quilt....

No way would I display my quilts outside!

i would not do it, either. the wind could blow the quilt and catch it on something rough or sharp.

I wouldn't. Light fades fabric faster than you think. A day out in the sunlight is not good for the fabrics, in addition to all the other potential problems mentioned.

Don't think I would for the reasons others have mentioned.

I think I would also hesitate - it's one thing to hang one's own quilts outside to air or dry - one can scoot out and bring them in if the weather gets iffy.

I've been to the Sisters quilt show but have no plans to ever enter one there. After my guild's last show (indoor), we got a letter inviting us to display our quilts at an "art in the park" event, I tossed it in the trash. Not interested in the chance of damage (or theft!).

Not me. For all the aforementioned reasons. I'm even cautious of and inquire into security measures for indoor shows.

My goodness yes! I love to share my quilts and have people see how happy and worthwhile making quilts can be. It's no fun to see a quilt with a stick up it's butt. My quilts can touch the ground, be touched, even have bird poop decorate it. It's a quilt and washable. I know quilts do get stolen but the risk is not big enough for me to worry about at a local show.

No, I would not!

No way. Think what would happen if a bird pooped on your quilt. Fences and railings have grime from streets, sidewalks and cars. And last but not least festival goers that have no idea of how they (and their children) should NOT handle the quilts.

WHEW! Thanks for your reply.... I've been to Sisters many times & I LOVE it and have never seen any quilt mistreated there. The whole town takes pride & is very careful with the quilts. I make quilts for hugging & cuddling, not heirlooms, so would never hesitate to share them with others no matter the venue.

Most people who attend quilt shows LOVE quilts and respect them. Now if you are talking about a festival that has amusement rides with hot dog stands nearby, then I would reconsider, but any Quilt Show these days will have people watching over your treasures. Yes, accidents happen.... but they happen in your own home too.

The Sisters Quilt Festival is outside and it is the largest I have ever attended. I go almost every year and am very greatful to the quilters that enter so I can enjoy their amazing work. I have thought of the same issues as noted but I have never seen anybody view the quilts with anything but absolute respect. The only reason that I don't enter is my quilts are not of the calibar to be seen with the ones on display.

I live in California and went to the "Sisters" show in central Oregon. It was one of the greatest shows I've been to! Absolutely beautiful quilts. I didn't see anything happen that was unseemly. I did hear that the next year it rained (for the first time on their quilt show, I think!) and the whole town got out their ladders and every able body, just about, helped get the quilts down and drapped them inside buildings to dry out. There is another show, closer to home, in the Livermore area of central California, that has an outdoor show and it is really like going to a party. I think it's on a farm. I haven't gone because it takes place during the time we have dedicated to our grandchildren... but they are getting older and at least 3 of them are starting their own quilts... so we may get to go soon!

I'm not questioning that someone may have seen a quilt mishandled, but everywhere I went (and I spent 8 hours at Sisters) but that surprises me because there were women and men with official badges watching everywhere I went (maybe I'm just suspicious looking?). I reccomend the Sisters, Oregon, quilt show to anybody!!

I have attended the Sisters Outdoor Quilt show many times, and was there last year when it rained (briefly). I was in the tent and helped bring in the quilts that were hanging where the rain might reach them. I was impressed by how well all the quilts were handled and how quickly everything came down when it started raining. I have also attended the Quilts in the Garden outdoor show in Corvallis, Oregon. I might not want to enter an all-white silk whole cloth (LOL) but would be honored to display any of my quilts in those outdoor shows. I don't think a single day of sunshine would be that detrimental, and rain is just water. The worst that might happen, IMHO, is theft, and that can happen at any show.

I entered one show (indoors) a few years ago. I worried all weekend about something (mostly theft) happening to them. An outdoor show poses too many dangers. I would not risk it.

That is so funny! An uptight quilt is not fun to be around.

Thanks for your responses. This quilt festival is in a small town in Illinois, (maximum 200 quilts). I found some pictures online from the show last year. I wouldn't mind my quilt being displayed on a hanger in the middle of the street but I wouldn't want my quilt laying on the concrete pavement or under a tree.
http://oswego.patch.com/articles/pho...photo-10165314

I think I will pass on this outdoor quilt festival. I am not sure it is worth the risk.

Elise

In our area we have a quilt show where quilts are displayed outside - I've never heard of anything happening to any of the quilts. I like the way the quilts are displayed in the link above - They are off the ground and easy to view.

I wouldn't be so worried about bird poop, spilled drinks, or dirty hands ... quilts can be washed. I would worry about theft though and I'd probably position myself or a loved one within viewing distance of my quilt <g>.

I also wanted to say thanks for starting this thread. I didn't know about this show. Weather permitting, I just added it to my calendar to attend!

I wouldn't hesitate to enter one in an outside show. It would only be for a day and would be enjoyed by everyone who saw the show. Love to share my quilts and as far as damage they might receive, mine are in danger every day. They are used on the beds, washed, loved by the cats, etc.

I'm so glad you said this! I was starting to think I was freak because I would display them outside. Maybe I would hesitate if I made heirlooms, but I just make quilts. They should be loved and love can be messy.

No, I wouldn't. You can't take precautions against everything in nature.

Definitely not-for the reasons you pointed out in your post and bearing in mind that in Australia, the quilting fabric costs around $26 per metre...no one could risk it.

Trenton, FL has a lovely outdoor show. This was our first year to attend and we were amazed at how many quilts were on view. The only "bad" thing I saw was a couple of folks couldn't resist touching a quilt. It was a wonderful experience and I'm thankful so many folks shared their quilts for others to enjoy. Weigh the risks and then decide about whether to be part of the show...or not.

I ditto everyone here.

NOPE, Never.

Nope. Not mine! Too much spider goo, bird poop, and bugs!! Nope!! Not mine!

I read the first responses, all negative about displaying outside, and I agreed and responded with my thought below:

It might be fair to guess that anyone who organizes an outdoor quilt show is not a quilter...... I can't imagine hanging my quilts outside on a clothesline for a few hours, let alone for hours.....

But then I kept reading and saw a number of posts of quilters who WOULD display outside, and I have to change my mind. I now think it is one of those issues where folks will do what they think best for themselves. No wrong answer here, in my opinion!

I do like the idea of people coming and going in an outdoor's quilt show instead of crowded inside a big room but I'm not sure how safe a quilt would be.
Many, many years ago when I was in high school the art club's art was displayed down town on the green and my piece came back damaged. I wasn't to happy about it and who knows if it was knocked over there or damaged in transit.

NOOOPPPPPEEEE!!!!!!! Friend of mine wanted to sell couple of her quilts. She thought an upcoming quilt show would be a good idea. The flu changed that for her. Good thing too. Out of about 30+ quilts 6 were stolen, some ripped and dirtied and stained and birds did their business on. She was glad it was just a 24 hour virus and she still sold those quilts in their beautiful splendor with a matching price to go with them. This was a late fall crisp day. Some of the quilts also had sap on them. Sap is one of the harder things to get out of anything. I will never do an outside quilt show unless under protective cover and a security guard.

I haven't but would

I personally dislike quilts displayed in "cute" ways. I want to see them hanging straight down so that I can see and fully appreciate the quilt and the skills that went into creating it. I went to a quilt show in a beautiful old restored house; the quilts were beautiful, too -- what we could see of them. They were draped over stair balustrades, chairs, tables, trunks, sofas, bookcases, tumbling out of armoires, etc. I'm sure the organizers thought they'd done a great job but I felt frustrated and annoyed. Either hang quilts or put them on a bed!

I certainly wouldn't want one of my quilts under a dove cote, nor would I want to see anyone else's displayed in such a stupid and harmful way.

No way would I put one of mine in that show either. We had theft at the fair grounds inside a building, I can't imagine what all could happen out an outside show.

I am really saddened to hear of quilts being stolen from shows. Even my LQS had a quilt stolen off the wall.

I don't understand it at all. Do people steal quilts to sell them?

I cannot imagine enjoying a stolen quilt. :thumbdown:

Elise

We used to do craft shows and that was a constant problem. People were not content to look, they had to touch as well. While most of the craft fair we did were outdoors, we were in control of how they were displayed and we were right there all the time. I wouldn't leave one in a show like you mentioned.