Kerry, Reene, Ange and I car pooled from Kerry's house to the Uttoxeter Quilt & Stitch Show. And we met up with Katy once there. One of the main reasons to attend the show was that three of our group bravely entered quilts into the show. Wisely too, as their quilts were a welcome addition to what was there. More on that in a minute. First, their quilts (and them).
I have only been to the Festival of Quilts before so this was my first regional small show. Um, what can I say? There were some quilts I liked there, including those above. Below are some of more that caught my eye, including Katy's hexies (bottom right).
I do not have a inbuilt dislike of traditional quilts. Some of the most beautiful quilts I have seen have been traditional ones. I do have a dislike of murky, icky, dark colours, and they seemed to predominate at the show. Katy Jones long ago tried to talk people into entering quilts into the show. She spoke about the need to get more modern quilts in these shows if people were going to learn that there was more than one style of quilting out there in the world.
I didn't really listen to the argument much at the time, I have to admit. Probably because I had never been to a smaller show before. Now I understand! We, as quilters, love what we do and we love our colour and modern techniques. If we want people to come to appreciate it too then we need to expose more than the modern quilting world to our style. These shows need a variety of quilts, not just dark, batik ones.
I readily acknowledge that a huge amount of skill goes into making any of the quilts that were on display. And that they are very much to many people's taste. Just not mine. It would be a boring world if we all liked the same thing after all. I also think that quilt shows should be more representative of all styles of quilting and only people willing to enter their quilts can make this happen.
So huge kudos to Ange, Kerry, Katy and Katy for having the balls to do so. Someone give me the courage to do so too next year.
Meanwhile, the fourth person in our party, Reene, was like me - no quilt in the show - but damn she was good with the pithy comments. Made my day. (Apologies to Reene for the photo - she is gorgeous and my photo does not do her justice in any sense of the word - but the other one I took was really fuzzy unfortunately.)
The photo on the right was an embroidery, not a quilt. But I took a photo of it because (a) I loved it, and (b) I want to make a quilt that looks like that.
Finally, I have been sewing today. Quite a while actually. But all I can show you for now is this.
Aw, go on, you love to be kept in suspense!
Susan
Looks like our minds were on the same wave length today! Well done to Ange, Kerry and Katy for entering their quilts.
ReplyDeleteI am sure next year you will get up the courage to enter a quilt. After all, you have a year to make it. Your quilts are beautiful and would be appreciated by many. Looks like you have a wonderful time.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun time. I recently went to a small quilt show here and it was the same. Very few modern quilts.
ReplyDeleteFirstly I'm not bashing UK quilters, but I am going to bash UK quilt shops/fabric shops..most are out dated, catering to the older quilter, and many are muddy, twee and mummsy prints.
ReplyDeleteI also think that because we spend so much time online, we are all very much ahead of the game..
Sounds like you had a lovely day at the show! As I've commented on someone else's blog today (don't remember where it was now, sorry!!!): without people entering quilts, there wouldn't be any quilt shows!! Why not enter a quilt just to show people what quilts are out there..?! There are bound to be people not liking it, just as you didn't like all quilts in Uttoxeter, but that's not the point: There are bound to be people there loving it, too!
ReplyDeleteWell I was so inspired by seeing Katy's (GingerMonkey) quilt again that I've been working on mine today! So fun ti see Katy and Ange's quilts there all hung up. Perhaps we should all enter next year - I could drop off mine with my mum at Christmas - if I'm organized enough!
ReplyDeleteit was fun wasn't it!
ReplyDeleteDamn you for jumping in there with a quilt like that embroidery, it was fab wasn't it, totally reminded me of the book Quilting Line and Color which I adore! Good Luck.
Looks like a girlie day out. I have gone to local quilt shows and felt let down by the drab quilts. It is a shame as they have been made by talented people. Di x
ReplyDeletep.s where's my present?! :o)
ReplyDeletesome of the ladies of the LMQG are entering a small show this June (including me). Should be interesting ;-)
ReplyDeleteEntering a quilt in a show really isn't scary - the worst bits are writing the description that will be displayed next to your quilt and stitching on the damn labels and hanging sleeves (when you know you're going to have to unpick them in a fortnight's time!). Go on, enter, you know you want to ;o)
ReplyDeleteSounds like a fun day out!
ReplyDeletelately I have been thinking a lot about all quilters. We must all be recognized for our talents whether they are our style or not...each is individually talented as a sewist and quilter. That said, I like Modern Quilts the best...just like you and don't want anyone to tell me my quilts are not modern enough or whatever.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful quilts! Thanks for sharing ... :) Pat
ReplyDeleteLovely to see you and the girls at the show on Sunday.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with what you have said above regarding modern v 'traditional'. It takes courage to enter your quilt in a show and I applaud anyone who does so. I'm thinking a dare may be in order for next year.... I will if you will????
x
Sounds like a great day out! I'm with you on the traditional versus modern thing - each to his/her own, but it would be lovely to see a more balanced mix at local quilting shows.
ReplyDeleteJust go for it next year!
Xx
Sounds like a great day out! I'm with you on the traditional versus modern thing - each to his/her own, but it would be lovely to see a more balanced mix at local quilting shows.
ReplyDeleteJust go for it next year!
Xx
Absolutely! Go for it! Your creativeness needs to be shared, your work is gorgeous and at times down right sassy!
ReplyDeleteThe world needs(nay, begs) to see a Susan original and this would be the perfect showcase, don't you think?
Hear, hear - look forward to seeing what you enter :-)
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see your entry for next time? and was I they only one not doing the quilty get together in some format over the weekend?
ReplyDeleteI was there yesterday. I did see you but I didn't like to disturb you.
ReplyDeleteHow I agree with you. I couldn't quit understand why a quilt measuring 40 inch square managed to win the bed quilt section. The judges seem to go for densely quilted quilts with lots of 'twiddly' bits such as ribbon embroidery. The quilts you've shown were my favourites as well.
I also meant to say if you enter a quilt in next year's show so will I as my friend, J, keeps saying I should!
ReplyDeleteOh you totally need to enter next year! £5 entry and they have to hang it, makes sense to me!
ReplyDeleteCall the diplomatic corp, I think we have a candidate!!
ReplyDeletePS. That quilt idea... just made one ;) xxx
You tease!
ReplyDeleteI loved reading this. I totally agree that we should have more modern quilts in local shows like this. It will attract more folks to our quilting happiness and that's always a good thing. Super photos from the day!
So you can make me a quilt and enter it next year and then hop on a plane and bring it to me...sound like a plan? glad you had a great day out.
ReplyDeleteI think you had the same experience I had at sandown last year! I've put my money where my mouth is a entered that for June - gulp!
ReplyDeleteGreat to see that you has such a good day. And I think that may be the first pic of Reene that I've seen
ReplyDeleteYou must enter! You don't have to go and look at it, of course! What- not pictures of the fuglies! ?
ReplyDeleteI often think there isn't a lot of variety in quilt shows myself. I'm going to be another person encouraging you to enter quilt shows. All of your stuff is beautiful and fresh and vibrant. You could give all the traditional stuff a run for its money.
ReplyDeleteWell Susan I may never speak to you again after that f*#$ing hideous photo ;)
ReplyDeleteWe saw so much scrap vomit potential too! I might just have to enter something next year so you must too!
Well done ladies for entering your quilts! I certainly wouldn't be brave enough, and you should definately enter next time Susan! When I went to the Spring Quilt Festival in Exeter I felt the same way, although there were alot of quilts on display they were not to my taste - hence I only featured a couple in my post, by comparison my local quilt show has loads of variety and the funny thing is that the ladies there are definately of a 'certain' age! So I think maybe I'm lucky where I live in that resepct... :o)
ReplyDeleteSounds like a brill day! I'm sure you had a good old titter together! Jxo
ReplyDeleteI think you should enter shows, your quilts are wonderful. Sounds like a great time.
ReplyDeleteSounds like such a fun day! One of these days, I'm flying over to spend the day with you and Ange!!!
ReplyDeleteAnd here's me thinking it was just here in CZ. My friend went to the Prague exhibition and felt just the same way. Maybe someone should start a quilting show just for the, shall we say, less traditional quilters? Now there's a challenge for someone!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a brilliant day! x
ReplyDeleteThat embroidery will make an amazing quilt. I got my idea for my brown quilt all ready, be prepared to be wowed. Also yes you should definitely enter a show- you've still got a monthto fill in a form for Festival of Quilts ;)
ReplyDeleteI am sure you had a blast, even among quilts that make your stomach turn... Yes, we need to get our fresh, modern quilts out there to show the world (outside our little blogosphere) that we exist and that quilting does not equal poor taste in color;)
ReplyDeleteLooks like a fun time!
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way - I do like traditional quilts are beautiful, but often find it's the fabric that I dislike. I too, gravitate towards clear colours.
You should definitely enter a quilt (or two) next year!
I think you've hit the nail on the head. It's not the patterns, blocks or designs, but the choice of fabrics. There's possibly not the choice of bright clear colours in easily accessible fabric stores? They've only become more available here in Australia in the last four years. Before that all shabby chic, before that all country colours. Takes a while for every shop and quilter to catch up to us early trend setters ;-)
ReplyDelete