If you’re interested in submitting a quilt for Quilt National ’13, here’s the link. The deadline is September 14.
I’m of mixed minds about judged competitions. I’ve submitted three times to Quilt National and gotten in once. Last time around they rejected what I consider the most beautiful piece of art I’ve ever made. The time I did get in it was for something kinda silly. I think it’s great to have a reason to push yourself to try something new. Not so in to being judged I have to say. It always feels very arbitrary to me, even when I did get in. Basically I’m just too busy these days to make something that may or may not ever see the light of day. And the really lost me the time they selected the quilt made out of plastic bags. Hmm.
What do you think about juried quilt shows? Any plans to enter Quilt National?
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Judged competitions have helped me improve my work. I like them although I don’t always agree with the judges.
I’d love to enter a “real” show, but the judging turns me off. I quilt on my diningroom table and I know my stitches are not perfect. It seems that juried shows get caught up in the perfection of it all. The quilting part is the least important to me anyway, I just want to see the beauty of the pattern and fabrics. Our local modern quilt guild is having a small show this weekend and I feel completely comfortable with that.
I would not even think to enter. I agree with Leslie. The real fun is in the designing and choosing of fabrics for a specific project. The real joy is in the process, not whether or not someone else thinks my work is acceptable.
I too am in awe of great color and design and innovation. Our latest discussion in my quilt group has been: if you don’t do the quilting yourself, is it really your prize or should you share the prize with your quilter? I wouldn’t enter a piece in a juried show unless it was my work from conception to the very last stitch.
I think you make yourself(one makes oneself)very vulnerable when you submit your work to judgement of another. Of course the judging cannot but be subjective and one needs to be very strong to not be affected by that. I feel sure that your piece was indeed very beautiful and would love to see it; but can understand that perhaps that feels like being judged again? But please know that you have already “proved” your skill, your eye and your accomplishment many times over. We can never please everyone and really, would we want to?
PS Am so pleased that Quilt Market was so successful for you and that all your work over years is coming to fruition in some tangible way; but I have always been impressed by your vision and have a sense that your goal has never really been to “make it” in a material way (no pun intended!); you seem to value deeper things- tho’ of course it’s handy to be able to survive! I remember bing delighted and surprised when you (the authors of the book -Color Harmony which I’d found so helpful) personally answered my call to buy some fabric from NZ!
I agree with your comments about the arbitrariness (is that a word?)…mostly I have never had the desire to enter a quilt for someone else to judge. More power to those who love it, but it’s not for me. Whatever I make in my spare time I make to please myself.
Another thought…quilts in most shows…MQS being the one I attend each year…they are quilted within an inch of their little cotton lives. I don’t have the patience to compete with this and I can’t cuddle with it when it’s finished. They are beautiful, no doubt, but I’d rather see a room full of simple, functional modern quilts any day. Art doesn’t have to be so busy. Just my simple opinion:)
The whole judging thing kind of freaks me out. I’m not really competitive, except with me, myself and I. I like to challenge myself to improve skills, try different colors, get out of my comfort zone. To have someone else make the call on whether I had succeeded would defeat the purpose. I enjoy the process way too much to risk someone telling me I didn’t make the cut (excuse the pun). Take care – Byrd.