How many quilt shows do you attend in a year? Are they local? Do you travel intentionally to attend a specific show? In this area there are several shows, sponsored by one of several guilds, each year. Some only show every other year. Why you ask? Well Tootsie let me tell you what I know or what I have been told. 1. It is a lot of work, it is expensive to produce and it is sometimes hard to get enough entries to justify the cost of the production. 2. It is a lot of work, it is expensive to produce and it is sometimes hard to get enough entries to justify the cost of production. If you are wondering why I said that twice it is simply because that is the most accurate reasons I can relay to you.
Our show is a Judged event. Therefore, additional cost. The "work" element is not to be dismissed but as one of our co-chairs explained to me, the workload and tasks are divided among the membership and that keeps it manageable. Organizing all that manageability basically falls to three people in our Show Committee and they do a great job. Each division of labor coordinates with them but runs their own segment.
One element that really hit home to me this year was publicity. While every local quilt shop knows when we have our show and the theme etc. the public needs to hear the news. Over the last several years the quality of our publicity has improved and now includes television spots (by a local am show) as well as print media. It seems to have been successful. We are seeing more quilts from outside our geographic area as well as entries from distant cities and towns. While we are still predominately a local show the growth of the project is clearly obvious.
We have all noticed an increase in qualiy of the work. The patterns and designs have been getting better every year. Interestingly, in the last couple years I have seen some duplicate quilts. This year, no. Even the most simple design is punctuated by amazing color combinations. Electric I say, absolutely electric.
In addition, the "Modern Quilt Movement" remains constant but there is a
tempering of sorts. A classic element to the contemporary quilt that makes it more appealing to a larger audience.
You may recognize this pattern from one of Jenny Doan's books. It has been popular on Utube videos as well. I have seen several and each one is unique depending on the chosen fabric. I believe this one is call the Magic Four Patch.
- The more quilt shows I attend the more I appreciate the process, the art, the passion,
- Quilt shows give the Quilter (of any stage in development) the opportunity to study many different types of work, in person, up close. Just do not touch.
- Quilt shows also give attendees the opportunity to shop. There is nothing wrong with that. You are supporting a small business owner. Quilting is really big business but the local shops depend on Quilt Shows to make their presence known in the community. Those vendors who travel to the show also provide the possible option of a destination shop. I call those Field Trips.
That reminds me, we haven't had a
Field Trip for a while. Mmmmm.......
My little wheels are turning now.........
And who said that Quilters don't know how to
Tweet!!!!
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