Because quilting is something I treasure putting time, energy, money, and effort into, I need to look beyond myself at times to see what others are doing who are not like me and are much better. I need to hear what other quilters are dealing with, solving, or discovering. If I was content to make one designer's quilt pattern line or focus on one type of quilt or kits, maybe I would not need to go. I have a pretty clear idea of what types of things I want to design/work on, but I would be foolish to think that others have nothing to teach me. Creativity is often putting together disparate ideas and distilling something new.
I have no desire to compete in a show. I have observed that nine times out of ten, I can predict what wins: complicated traditional patterns, photorealism, and supercomplicated piecing/applique in a traditional vein. The innovative or unusual ideas do not win. Ok, I get it. The problem is when viewers only look in awe at the ribbons and not the gorgeous others in the show.
Getting to AQS Lancaster was costly, had difficult snow conditions (no restaurants open on Wed.), and was fatiguing. Yet, the quilts inspired me, taught me, new products were tried, some bought, new fabric lines, met quilters of all stripes, and was a bigger step in my quilting journey.
Because I took my little point and shoot, the photos are not great due to low lighting, so I apologize. If anyone has a small camera that shoots great photos in low light, let me know. My big Canon DLSR was too heavy to lug around, so it stayed home. The photos below are a few of those that inspired me. The next post will have some of the Cherrywood Challenge Van Gogh quilts and Korean.
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| Quilt made into a plaid by color stitching |
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| Improv quilt with sections |
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| Improv quilt detail |
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| Wholecloth quilt all in black thread |
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| Dellightful quilt called Carrot Breath |
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| Neat idea of a colorwheel |
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| Happy coneflowers, cool background |
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| Gorgeous multiple methods quilt |
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| Confetti detail |
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| Quilt made by someone I know locally, Karen Sienk |
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| Not sure how the spools fit in, but a very fun quilt |
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| Detail |
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| A cut work tablecloth layered and quilted by Cindy Needham, who had an extensive display. |
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| Pretty amazing wall quilt |
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| Another amazing scene and fabric |
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| Extra special quilting made this quilt unique |
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| Over the top piecing and detail |
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| Detail |
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| Such a unique perspective on vases on glass shelving |
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| Detail |
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| Karen Kay Buckley applique- she taught our fall workshop |
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| And finally, the one quilt that I thought truly deserved a ribbon- a difficult perspective on an old block done exquisitely, also not a tall enough display hurts the look |
7 comments:
It looks like it was an exciting quilt show to attend.
Love your perspective on the show. We can always learn something if we open up to new things. And recognize that winning is not the point in quilt making for many of us. Thanks for the photos...which I think are good. Love that you picked some very intriguing ones and not just ribbon winners which are always so beyond me. Looking forward to the rest:)
For your camera dilemma you may be overlooking the obvious: a better cell phone. Low weight, lots of settings and all the benefits of having multiple tools in your pocket.
I like the fact that you looked at all of the quilts, not just the ribboned ones. When I've been at the last few large shows, it seems most attendees are fixated on the vendor areas and only give the winning quilts a cursory glance and the others are ignored. Too bad they don't take the time to wander and see what catches their eye or heart. (and I agree that a better phone camera may be an easy solution to your photo dilemma - I want to upgrade mine but am waiting for some sort of promotion)
Our guild has never had 'judged' quilts until this year. I didn't even know that we'd be judged like this, this time. I was very disappointed in the judging. Detailed, pieced quilts lost to panel quilts, with solid squares surrounding the panel. Our challenge quilts were judged not on creativity, but, in being precise in structure. No one even told the judges what the guild wanted. I wasn't the only one who was not happy with the judging. I go to quilt shows for the inspiration. I don't always agree with the ribbons (if I even get there after the ribbons are presented). My friend picked up some fabric for me at the Lancaster show, along with rotary blades.
What great collection of photos you've shown to us, thanks Linda, it's always a pleasure to see quilts from show visits. The last quilt - a shame they didn't sort out a tall enough display stand, no good when the bottom few inches are draped on the floor.
I agree, getting to big quilt shows can be a chore and expensive. Thanks for taking us along on your visit via photos. I enjoyed them!
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