First Time Entering a Quilt in a GAAQG Show? Jump in!

By Camie Roper

Although I’ve been a guild member since 1997, I don’t remember when I entered my first quilt into a show. I was intimidated by the gifted quilters in the guild whose corners all matched and color schemes were impossibly radiant. Why would I hang a creation of mine alongside these works of art? In this blog post, I will try to explain my transformation into a regular contributor to each and every quilt show. And hang in there to the end because I’ll include photos of my quilts.

Our Saturday morning lectures were all terrific. Two that I especially loved were a young lady who dressed in a sea glass blue mermaid’s costume to give her presentation and when Elly Sienkiewicz in person talked to us about Baltimore album quilts.

There were over 100 other presentations, all unique and fascinating in their own way and each Saturday, I always came away inspired and full of new ideas.

Craft guilds began in the 14^th century. Like our modern-day guild, they brought like-minded artisans together, provided education and established quality standards. Today’s guilds present quilt shows that display to the public the types of work we produce.

Some of my fondest guild memories come from volunteering at quilt shows. Each member who exhibits a quilt must volunteer two hours. I have been a white-glove volunteer – actually allowed to touch the quilts. I helped set up props to provide “atmosphere” – flowers, dolls, ladders, small desks and rocking horses. I have been the first to see the entries, and then forward them on to another volunteer to catalog. I have made sure all guests had paid tickets. In all this volunteering, I have worked shoulder to shoulder with like-minded people who also adore quilting.

 

Entering a quilt into a show is a tangible opportunity for personal growth. Yes, awards are given, but there’s also a chance to see your work in the context of your guild. Your unique life experience is manifested in the art you create and, as in so many other areas of life, context is everything. Your quilt is entitled to a designated space and you, its creator, are, as well.

Next time, I’ll talk about other reasons to enter your quilt in the quilt show.  Here are the promised quilt photos.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I like to use animal prints in children’s quilts. Panther’s Path resulted from gold panther-print fabric I found on vacation. Lime green and ombré gold squares form a diagonal grid that seems to overlay the panther-print squares.