Quilt Show 2012 Redux

Last weekend I participated in my traditional guild's bi-annual show. I refer to the Lions Gate Quilter's Guild as my 'traditional' guild only to differentiate from the VMQG, of which I am also a member.  In fact, several of us are members of both guilds and there are people making traditional, modern, contemporary and art quilts in both guilds. There were over 200 quilts on display at a local recreation centre (conveniently located 2 blocks from my house!) and we had what seemed like a gazillion appreciative visitors.  Some pictures of my show favs coming right up! Our show is not juried - every guild member is invited to show up to three quilts, space permitting. Quilts do not have to be original designs and we encourage everyone from beginner to expert to participate.

"Rooftops 'round the Bend" by Dianne Ritter

"The Measure of a Life" by Dr. Susan Germain - winner of a viewer's choice ribbon

"Be Still" by Jo Ann Lee - winner of a viewer's choice ribbon

I've been on the organizing committee for several shows. I've overseen production of our raffle quilts, done publicity and this time I helped to organize the Members Boutique with my friend Marsha.  The boutique is a place where guild members can sell their handmade items and provide a small commission to the guild.  We have a fantastic "exit through the gift shop" set up such that every visitor has to pass through the boutique when they leave the gymnasium. As Katy would say "result"! It works like a charm. Twenty guild members sold almost $6000 of merchandise in two days. Not bad!

 

Boutique before and after

Mounting a show is a massive amount of work requiring hundreds of volunteer hours, not to mention thousands of dollars. The rec centre is leased for 3.5 days (we need an evening and entire day for set up) and we have to rent all of the poles and curtains that support the quilts - this equipment is unbelievably expensive.  Our guild is a non-profit so we're not in the business of making money, but it sure is nice to break even on the show. Luckily our community is very supportive and happy to pay the $6 entry fee, plus we have amazing shops from all over the province that pay for booths in our merchant mall.

detail of "Configurations II" by Susan Lum, co-owner of Passionate Dyes

"Rubik's Cube Kicked My Asterisk" by Colleen Bell. Is that a great quilt name, or what?!

We've always awarded ribbons, but every show we go through the motions of trying to figure out just how to do this. In the past, we've had Large, Medium and Small quilt voting categories, but this can be confusing for visitors. This year we tried something different. We just asked visitors to vote for their 3 favorite quilts in no particular order. I think we went 8 deep for these 'Viewers Choice' ribbons. As expected though, no small quilts won this time. The public is very impressed by size! It's a shame because there are some incredible details and just as much work in many wall hangings as there are in a queen sized quilt.

Guests enjoying the quilts

Our talented members demonstrating art quilting techniques to show visitors on the Education stage.

Although not my original idea, I suggested to the committee a new, secret award idea. I saw this done at the Parksville Quilter's Guild show many years ago and always wanted to try it. Each member of the show committee chooses a fun theme or category, creates a handmade ribbon for it and awards it to any quilt in the show that they feel best represents that category. Mine was for "Inspired Traveller"; others included best use of the colour orange, the most butterflies, best circle quilt, most prolific quilter (for the person who showed the most square inches of work in the show!).  These fun committee ribbons provide an opportunity for more member's work to be recognized and I think everyone enjoyed them.

   

These are the two ribbons I made (fabric covered buttons sewn onto two yo-yo's, embroidered and stamped words onto interfaced fabric 'ribbons' which were then glued to the back of the yo-yo's)

I've been rather exhausted by all of the action in my life over the past 6 weeks. I'm looking forward to things calming down as school finishes up in the next couple of weeks and we can look forward to some lazy mornings, hand stitching in the garden and casual bbq dinners on the deck.  If only the sun would shine....

Circle quilt by Marg Marlow

NOTE: All quilt photos shared with the quiltmakers' consent.