Tothill

I have only read the first two pages of replies. I have not yet entered a quilt into a show, but I love attending shows. In my region shows tend to be every two years and in a nearby community with two guilds they alternate years. This gives one show in the region each year. Some people belong to more than one guild.

All the quilt shows I have attended have had an admission fee, usually between 5 and 10 dollars. Each has had vendors, and an area to get tea, coffee a sweet and sometimes soup.

There also is a great display of quilts that are judged at my local fall fair.

At the show I attended last year, there was a huge variety of quilts a various skill levels. As a viewer I was just as happy to view the less skillfully made quilts as the incredible works of art. It made me feel good about my own level of quilting competence to see that others are brave and will show their work at all levels

As far as viewers choice goes, when I vote, I am not looking at technique, accuracy in piecing and beautiful bindings. I am voting for the quilt that keeps me coming back to look at it. It may be simple or complex, it just has to speak to me. Viewers choice is not a judgement of any of the other quilts, it is a personal choice of which quilt speaks to me.

I belong to a newer Modern Guild. We have been invited to put some small 72-96 inch perimeter quilts that represent the modern esthetic in the traditional guild's show later this spring. My guild will collect the entries at our April meeting and select members of the MQG will judge them prior to them being chosen for entry. I am new to modern quilting and happy to go through this judging process. I will not be upset if my project is not chosen for the show. If it is chosen I have to do one shift at the show. This is the rule of the guild putting on the show. I will also have to pay admission when I do my shift. That is okay by me. It takes a huge amount of work to put on a quilt show and I am lucky to be fit and healthy and a willing worker.

Onebyone

I took a class from a well known quilter last year. Her quilts have won ribbons in several big shows. She was telling us about quilt judges. Most professional quilt judges have preferences. The professional quilt show quilters know which judges are judging the shows. Sometimes that makes a big difference when a quilt is entered or held for later. Its a whole different world in the professional quilt competition.

mojo11

I totally agree with you.

mojo11

I love to go to quilt shows to see the gorgeous, beautiful quilts that are displayed. It is a feast for my eyes knowing the time and effort that is put into each quilt. If you want your quilt to be judged, then ask for a judge to look at it. That being said- a judge is just a person. She/he may not like your colors or pattern or quilting. That may set you up for hurt feelings. My humble opinion.

eyes

I'm not sure how I feel about entering a quilt show. I did enter one last year after being talked into it and had mixed feelings being a newbie and my quilts are so different from the norm. ( I like small doll quilts and civil war reproduction fabrics). Of course I didn't win any ribbon but I was just happy it wasn't to wonky and hanging straight. I was encouraged by the lovely ladies and the judges were kind.
But there were 2 middle age ladies there that were having a good time looking, looking at each other and laughing, saying nasty things about each quilt in rather loud voices and then walking away quickly because they couldn't bear to look at it any longer. I think I would have left in tears if I ran into them near mine hearing what they had to say because I was lacking in confidence as is.
I am going to enter this year, willing to give it another try, but I can feel the lack of confidence creeping in already.

tropit

Perhaps you could do a non-judged show that had an interesting theme, such as, "the deep blue sea," or, "city lights." or "just cats." It my take their focus off of the actual, construction details and put more on the creative process in meeting the needs of the theme.

Also, if you're doing a judged show, little prizes aren't much of an incentive, but big ones are. A free weekend in a favorite city, or country B&B, or maybe a slew of travel points to spend how they wish, would nudge them into entering. Sponsors may be able to help you out with that one.

~ Cindy

Hinterland

There is something seriously wrong with those two "ladies." They're the problem, not your work or anyone else's. I'm glad you will be entering anyway.

Janet