Just when quilters thought that entering a quilt in a show was a fun thing to do, they may decide, after examining all the details, not to enter shows. Why, you ask? What is so complicated that once was so simple?
With many new quilters who do not know how to hand quilt or finish a quilt, a lot of them like to piece or applique a top and then leave the finishing to the “professionals.” In this case, the word, “professional,” actually means a person who has ponied up enough big bucks to purchase a long arm machine, and who has advertised that they are available to work on the quilts of others. Sometimes, hand quilters offer their services for hire, as well, although there seem to be less of them, these days, and presumably, the “wait” would be longer.
Machine quilters who were “paid for hire” to quilt other people’s quilts began demanding recognition, too. After all, if it were not for their work, the quilt top would still be folded up, unfinished. At first, the situation was more subtle. Machine quilters demanded that their name be listed on the show tag. Some quilt top owners balked at the idea, and some were ok with it, reasoning that fair is fair. Then, machine quilters for hire decided that if the quilt got a ribbon, then they should get a ribbon, too, and if there was a monetary prize, they should get a share of that.
Herein lies the rub. Money always complicates everything, especially between women. Realistically, the “piecer” or applique artist 1) bought all the raw materials, 2) spent her time making the quilt, 3) paid the show entry, 4) paid to have the quilt transported to the show, 5) if she was smart, paid for insurance, and 6) had to be on hand at the end of the show to pick up her quilt, or else pay to have it insured and shipped to her home. That represents a large investment of time, materials, and money. On top of that, they paid the quilter.
In the meantime, and I speak from experience, someone may have been eating Shortbread and still have the grease of butter on their fingers, yet felt compelled to “touch the quilt.” Non-quilters have no clue as to why touching the quilt is bad. The quilt is made to be UUUUUsssseeeeeddddd, isn’t it? Perhaps, used, but not abused. In some cases, the quilt was not created to be placed on a bed, but rather, on a wall to enjoy as “quilt art.”
Again, I speak from another show experience when I say that someone felt compelled to run the back of her hand, with a ring on it, over the embroidery stitches of a crazy quilt vest, thus ripping out some stitches. I am sure she didn’t mean to do it. I am equally sure that there are not enough white glove ladies in the world to prevent these inadvertent “accidents” at quilt shows. One’s eyes cannot be everywhere at every moment, nor can one holler loud enough to stop someone, standing at a distance, who is already blithely destroying someone else’s hard work.
I remember one instance of entering a show into a contest. It was in pristine condition when it left here. I got it back, rolled up into a mailing tube that was too small, and it looked like a sorry mess, not to mention that it was delayed for months in its return.
I am happy there are still quilt shows around. I do not enter any of them because of the uncertainty of my quilt coming back in the same condition. Yet, I enjoy seeing the antique quilts, and new quilts that people share. I might add this: I never attend a show to judge the quality of the work, unless I am being paid to judge the show.
Quilters strive for recognition in an arena that is saturated with “wanna-bees.” Why is recognition important? It can be a ticket to more recognition and more money.
One quilter told me that she resents making quilt tags that list the name of the quilt, its size, the designer’s name, the magazine or book that published the design, herself as quilt top maker, and the name of the person who quilted the quilt. It is way too much information. If that is the case, then it makes a case for creating quilts and not putting them in shows. Just enjoy them yourself.
I like the simple life, and showing quilts was already a complex deal before all of these new qualifiers were put in place. That is just my opinion. I am sure my thoughts will not deter anyone from their appointed course, but knowing some of the pitfalls will prepare you a little for what may lie ahead.
Jim had an interesting thought, this morning. He said, “If this was a framed pieced of art, would the framer be entitled to half of the “take” at a show?” Something to ponder.
With the Internet, you can share photos of your work without the quilt actually being handled, mauled, sneezed upon, etc. by anyone, not to mention “lost in the mail.” My book, Straight Talk About Quilt Care, free to read on our website, provides tips on mailing quilts, should you decide to do so. Good luck!
Patricia Cummings
Quilter’s Muse Publications
