Anne Williams considers embracing being a part of quilting shows by taking part yourself
Many quilters are notoriously shy about entering their quilts into competitions, but without those willing to stick their head above the parapet, these shows would not be the rich and vibrant events we know and love. Of course, it’s wonderful to win, especially if generous prize money is involved, but let’s face it, very few entrants will be prize winners. For many visitors, the joy of a show is the spectacle of seeing hundreds of quilts under one roof, which is a fantastic treat for the senses. And, whilst everyone loves to ooh and aah over the crème de la crème, most viewers get equal pleasure from looking at the array of quilts, perhaps gathering ideas and inspiration for their own projects, such as an enticing colour scheme, an appealing design, or an attractive quilt pattern. So, if you’re in the camp that’s not sure if your work is good enough to enter, don’t be bashful – make 2023 the year you have a go!
GIVE IT A WHIRL
There are several UK and overseas quilt shows with competitions, though the annual Festival of Quilts held at the NEC in Birmingham each summer is a much-anticipated event on the European quilting calendar. The images illustrating this feature show the huge variety of wonderful prize winners from last year’s festival.
If a competition is juried, it means entries go through an initial judging process, often done virtually, to select a shortlist of pieces that will be displayed at the show where they will be considered for a prize. This tends to apply to competitions open to established quilters/artists, where the organisers want the final cut to be of the highest possible standard. However, most competitions are open to everybody, with the aim of promoting all aspects of the craft and encouraging makers, whatever their level, to exhibit their work. In hanging and judging every entry, a show truly is a celebration of today’s quilt-making in all its glory.
Some shows base their categories around size, e.g. bed quilts, cot quilts, wall hangings, etc. If this is the case, obviously the finished quilt must be the correct dimensions for the section being entered. Often style-based competitions may specify a size range, so make sure you check before you begin work on your masterpiece; it would be a shame to be disqualified because your quilt is the wrong size.
The Festival of Quilts competition has over 15 categories to enter, so there should
