Awhile back I received an invitation to {apply to} enter quilts into the 2018 Primitive Quilt Show in Houston. At first I brushed it off as something that would be a ridiculous waste of time.
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| Hills and Valleys |
Then later on, decided why not? It's not a bad thing to challenge ourselves occasionally or try and get out of our oh so familiar comfort zone.
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| A close-up |
It took a lot of time to take the crummy pictures that we usually end up with around here. There's never enough time or a good enough set up. And for some reason, that's not where my heart is. My daughter helped tho and points for that.
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| Fun to see different pics of the quilts |
Everyone is busy of course, so you have to understand that
help is very limited when it comes to things like
taking advantage of the very best daylight hours. We had to squeeze in our one and only photo session at the end of a work day but before dusk.*ugghh Cue the hysterical laughter. I could tell immediately that the full quilt pics were going to be terribly washed out.
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| Big Blue or otherwise known as the 'ugly quilt' |
We deemed it good enough. Really, what else could be done? These quilts will not hang in the air by themselves! And as expected by moi, both entries were rejected. No big surprise--my quilts aren't ever wholly 'primitive'. Nor do they seem to fit into any other genre of quilting easily or well. I'm still pondering what particular box or genre they might actually fit into....
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| A close-up |
I admit to being a little disappointed when receiving the polite rejection letter, but overall it was probably worth the effort and angst. Just a deep breath out and then, okay. So I tried and failed. No big. It definitely helps that I didn't make either of these quilts
specifically for the show. That would have been a bit more demoralizing I think.
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| Trying to determine the top side of the quilt... |
Truly, I try NOT to make quilts specifically for entry into any quilt show. Quilting is my happy place and pressure and deadlines do not make me happy. That said, I think maybe I'd better suck up my comparison anxiety nerves and go ahead and enter a few quilts into the {almost local}, regional quilt show once again. If there are people who regularly click into Quilty Folk to check out my latest makes, then it stands to reason there will be a few people who might enjoy seeing them in person. Variety is the spice of life and we quilters do so enjoy being inspired.*wink
Making the first comment....
ReplyDeleteWhat I always love about your quilts is knowing the back-story. It's so interesting to learn why you chose specific fabrics, colors, designs, etc. It's the process that makes your quilts come alive for me. Unfortunately, the quilt show reviewers don't get that peek into the quilter's soul that makes your quilts sing. Too bad for them!
ReplyDelete...."at least I tried." Inspiring words to allow to sink in as we all try to break out of boxes to play with color, texture and shape!! I love how you share your work and your process on Quilty Folk! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI love your style. You are right. You do have a generous following so there is an audience for your quilt style. I appreciate your (slight) disappointment. It would have been a nice thing to be in the show. Don't stop making your quilts. You are a rockstar to me!
ReplyDeleteYour quilts are different than the norm. That's what makes them totally appealing to me. I enjoy watching them "become". Your explanations are inspiring. I agree with the above (as do probably many): Don't stop making your quilts -- as if you could, right?
ReplyDeleteI now share my quilts only in non- juried events -- my hope is they will speak to or inspire viewers without the politics of being judged. Good for you for trying!!
ReplyDeleteGood on you for trying! I find your quilts very appealing, and I love all the stories that go along with them!
ReplyDeleteI think you succeeded in making a wonderful primitive quilt...love it!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you submitted your quilts to the show. You would have always wondered what would happen. I think they're terrific and I love your originality. Maybe you have come up with your own genre. Don't worry about trying to reply to this comment. I have the same frustration.
ReplyDeleteI like "Hills and Valleys" very much. I could call the style Contemporary Primitive. A new category. I made a quilt one time with an artist friend. She did the design work and I did the sewing. It was early in my machine quilting and not done all that well. She sent an entry and picture to the Paducah show and it was accepted.....but she had fudged a bit on the size and there was no category that it fit in. The quilt was sent back to her without being in the show. I don't think they would have hung it anyhow as the workmanship was not major quilt show quality.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad too that you submitted your quilts and that you were extended an invitation to do so. Your quilts are fresh and interesting. You take the traditional and give it a twist. I hope you will share your work with others when you get the opportunity.
ReplyDeleteI'm so with you on being interested in quilting in a non-competitive way. I'm sorry that your quilts weren't accepted, but I find myself wondering if the judges don't need to widen their horizons to think outside the traditional primitive box. One of the things I love about your work is that you combine so many different facets of quilting in a very distinct way. I'd say it's their loss!
ReplyDeleteI think both quilts are fabulous! I've been through that cycle of feelings a few times. Tends to make me not want to enter things in juried shows. But challenges whether personal or external do tend to motivate me to get things done occasionally. So I try every once in awhile...
ReplyDeleteHere’s what I think...it’s almost impossible to guess what is gonna be accepted or not into a juried show. Personally I love the way you design quilts. They are whimsical, and primitive, and bold and beautiful and pack quite the punch to my eye. It’s quite an accomplishment to be asked to enter. Right? Right. Keep doing you, that’s enough for us.
ReplyDeleteI like the contrast between center and border, the repeated arc shapes throughout, the way your parallel quilting highlights the stripes as well as emphasizing direction changes in Hills and Valleys. Plus you know I honed in on the Chinese Coin sets in both quilts.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations for entering what you'd already made.
Et bien moi j'adore vos quilts ! Et votre Hills and Valleys est simplement merveilleux ! Friendship
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree. The whole, stressful thing of entering a show stops me in my tracks, and I have only tried a few. But it is good experience, and you are absolutely right. I would be one of those people who would love to see your quilts up close and personal. You have gorgeous work!
ReplyDeleteGood for you! It was worth making the effort, in my opinion. I also submitted a quilt for the IQF Chicago show, and was rejected. The category was Midwest traditional quilts. I entered a medallion -- what could be more traditional than that?? -- but it was not traditional colors or using a long-standing design. It was my colors and my design. Would they not want original traditional? Apparently not that one! :) But I'm happy I made the effort and likely will do it again. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeletegreat prim quilt - it is fun to exhibit at Houston. I'll be in the American Tradition.
ReplyDeleteI know what category I would place your quilts in ... wonderful!! They always inspire creativity in me!! Thanks for sharing!!
ReplyDeleteI very much like both of those quilts! They are quite charming and unique. Thanks for showing them here.
ReplyDeleteSuch a familiar experience for most quilters who have ever thought of sharing in this way. Never let another's judgment dull your quilty sparkle!
ReplyDeleteYou just keep on doing you!
Reading the above comments, I have to agree with all the commenters ... your Style is Original, Whimsical, Charming, Bold and Beautiful, and so much more! They are uniquely YOU, and you should always cherish that unique ability you have to take fabrics that seemingly would never play well together, and make them shine. Yours is a gift that many of us would love to possess. So, keep on doing just what you're doing!
ReplyDeleteWell at least you were invited to participate, did submit your quilts for consideration, that is 1/2 the battle. I love your quilts and eagerly await you sharing them here. Actually your type of quilts speak to me and I strive to make quirky quilts too! Keep on keeping on.
ReplyDeleteYou're taking this well. I'd be a bit miffed to be *invited* to participate and then to have my quilts rejected, yeesh, how rude.
ReplyDeletelizzy at gone to the beach
Hills and Valleys is an amazing, beautiful quilt - congratulations!
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure what the criteria is. I knew of several folks last year that had quilts rejected. It seems they don't want them original- but by specific designers. That's just my guess.
ReplyDeleteI've never worked out where I 'fit' either and have had to conclude I don't care enough to keep worrying about it. I do know, though, that I would love to visit any quilt show and find these lovely pieces hanging.
ReplyDeleteGood for you! I think your quilts are amazing. They are unique - I mean that in a complimentary way! So original. You most assuredly have "the vision" for boundless creativity. Their loss!
ReplyDeleteFolk Art Quilts, is my two cents, and I think your quilts are the definition! To me that means authentic and accessible, but also skilled and inventive. All worthy aspirations, in my book!
ReplyDeleteI actually find it very stressful to enter a quilt in a show and after the first two times I decided it wasn't worth it to me - I like to make quilts for my satisfaction and not for someone else to tell me what is wrong with them or what is right about them - I know a lot of quilters think they have to enter shows - I just don't feel like we have to
ReplyDeleteWell I think they are BEAUTIFUL and big kudos for entering. You did GOOD!!!
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