Saturday, June 16, 2007

Quilt Show Ribbons

We had the monthly planning meeting for the quilt show yesterday and had a very interesting discussion. First, here is a photo of one of the 5 ribbons that I pieced for the show. We were given a little kit with the fabric to make 5 ribbons and the ones I made were some blue ones. The next step is that the committee will take these pieced blocks and turn them into the ribbons.

At the meeting, I suggested that since we have a two person category for quilts, we should give out two ribbons for this category. In other words, each of the two people would receive their own ribbon. I thought this was perfectly reasonable but some others did not and it caused a lengthy discussion - was very interesting to hear all the viewpoints about this issue. I am not sure what other quilt guilds do and if they have the same type of category. Typically, the two person category has quilts that the piecer has paid someone to quilt for them. Of course, it also includes quilts that are pieced by two people or appliqued by two. The quilt is almost always entered into the quilt show by the piecer who is almost always the owner of the quilt.

It just makes sense to me that two person quilt means two ribbons. Fortunately, after much discussion, the group voted to offer two ribbons for this one category.

At the last show, the two person category only had one person's name listed on the label hanging next to the quilt, although the second person was listed in the program. This oversight has been corrected and both names will be on the label this time. At the last show, a quilt won first prize for machine quilting and the quilter's name wasn't on the quilt. Fortunately, the piecer immediately asked that the quilter's name be added to the label and a new one was made. That issue is being resolved this year by stating that only a single person quilt is eligible for the machine quilting award. Not necessarily the solution I would have suggested but it will work.

The quilting world is changing and it is hard to keep up with everything that might come up. The two person category is the largest category in our show. I might add that this is a judged and juried show and has an excellent reputation in the Southeast - it is a great show.

I wonder what others think about this issue. I know that my view is colored by the fact that I am a longarm quilter and quilt for others. At the last show, quilts that I quilted won three honorable mention ribbons. Two were won by one of my favorite piecers/customers and she gave me one of the ribbons. I loved her for that (and for many other things). I am not interested in sharing any money if it is awarded - I got paid for my quilting and that is enough for me. On my invoice, I ask that if they show the quilt in a show or at a quilt shop that I get recognition as the quilter. I just want everyone who contributes to a quilt winning an award to share in it. Let me know what you think.

10 comments:

  1. It certainly seems that quilters should share in the ribbons and recognition! Do they award multiple ribbons for teams?

    I can't really comment on the prize money, but your take on having been compensated for your time seems very well reasoned.

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  2. I think you are absolutely right Melinda! I was at a quilt show in May in which there was a quilt that was kind of "blah", but the machine quilting was exquisite and made the quilt a prizewinner. In the program, the award was listed as being won by the quiltmaker and the machine quilter's name was not even mentioned! I thought there should have been two ribbons given, and the quilter equally acknowledged.

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  3. I agree two people quilts, two ribbons. I like how your ribbons are taking shape. Can't wait to see the final product!

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  4. You know, I never thought about it before - I have always been upfront & honest about who quilted my quilt - 99% long armed by someone else, but I do not add their name to the labels... (Nor do I enter shows, etc.) Just my though on the subject - I paid for those services - that should be all that she wants/needs.

    With that said, if I did enter a show & the quilt won for the quilting - I would pass on the Kudo's & second ribbon, but I paid for the quilting, so if there was an actual prize, I would not feel bad for keeping it. - The longarmer would have had the recognition & advertising from the wi... (It is probably a good thing that I don't enter shows, huh? I can't bear all of the paperwork, be at this time to drop it off & then to pick it up, etc. I don't have that kind of patience.)

    Amy
    Doll Quilt swapper

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  5. I have a ribbon which I received for a quilt I did for someone else. It was a nice surprise to get it, and I think it's a wonderful idea. If you have a two-person category, then there ought to be a ribbon for each person who helped create the winning quilt. Neither one created the whole thing alone.

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  6. Wow, this is really a cool ribbon. I'd certainly want to win one!

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  7. JMHO of course - but I feel strongly about this. The quilter should ALWAYS be listed on label at any quilt show. If the prize is for the quilting - whether it's hand quilting or machine quilting - then the quilter should receive a ribbon. If there is only one ribbon it should go to the quilter - that's the person who earned the prize. If there is money involved I agree with you - if the quilter has been paid for the work then that is sufficient. I'm happy to say our guild has figured this out in the last few years - for the awards for quilting, if the quilter is someone other than the piecer or appliquer, then a second ribbon is purchased for the quilter.

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  8. I have to agree with you here. Most of my quilts are ones I have paid someone else to quilt for me. I've only entered one quilt in a show, but I gave full credit in my information about the person who did the quilting. When the judge gave wonderful comments about the quilting -- I passed them along to the longarmer who did the work. I didn't win anything, so it wasn't an issue -- but it seems only fair to me that if a quilt is going to win a prize due to the quilting -- shouldn't the person who did the work get some credit?

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  9. One more thought that I have as I read these comments is that the choice of "how" the quilt is quilted is the makers choice. The machine quilter does the quilting, but the maker tells her the patterns, amounts, placing, etc. Of course this is not always true. Some makers feel comfortable enough to just drop off thier quilts and say "do it". I believe that the quilters name should be listed on an accompanying tag and If a second ribbon is awarded, the owner should certainly want the quilter to have it. All should be left up the maker of the quilt. The quilt is hers.

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  10. I like your ideas. It was great of you to think to put on your invoices to get recognition. It gets your name and work out there. Long-arm quilters and the second persons need to be recognized for their work as well.

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