I went back to the fair yesterday. I had had several people tell me there were ribbons on my quilts. My daughter took me there so I could take another look. I swear.... when I was there on opening day there was not any ribbons on my quilts! Or at least I didn't see them. These quilts were hanging in different places on opening day too. Originally this quilt was next to my friend Yvonne's quilt... not next to a round rug.



This quilt didn't have a ribbon either on opening day. Or at least I don't think it did. I'm beginning to doubt my own eyesight now.

This next picture is of the winner of best of show in the textile department and also received the LAFTA award for ? I'm not sure what the award is for. Somebody's idea of "quality" art. The award was supposed to be given in the art department and wound up being given in the textile department instead.

I entered a quilt wall hanging in the art department for the first time because I was asked to enter a piece as support for the LAFTA efforts to improve that department. (Louisville Area Fiber and Textile Artists) I'm also a member of this group. Right this moment I'm almost afraid or ashamed to admit I'm a member. I believe in the concept of the group but I also find the internal politics of the group very troublesome for me. Thank goodness there are other members who feel the same as me about the internal politics.

LAFTA offered a special award of $100 to entice entries in the art department. Believe me.... I've tried getting into some of the LAFTA sponsored art shows. My quilts are not the "quality" of art work the powers that be want in the shows so I stopped trying. They always keep the entry fees even if the entry doesn't get accepted into the shows. I can't afford to keep trying when I know it's going to cost so much to be turned down.

I see no reason to enter a piece in the art department next year either. If the LAFTA award is going to be given anywhere in the fair; why would anyone be enticed to enter the art division? I'd rather take my art work to the textile department where it feels most comfortable. My art quilts feel best when they get entered into either the original design or the open technique classes. At least in the textile department my art quilts will have a chance of winning a ribbon. And..... my quilts are appreciated for what they are..... my art and my techniques.... not somebody's idea of "less than quality" art.

Hmm... as I sat here type-talking; I remembered something I had come to realize many years ago. It goes back to the history of quilts and textile art. The art community doesn't consider quilts as anything but something to cover a bed. One day someone in the art community decided that a textile art piece could be considered a quilt if it contained three layers stitched together. But not the other way around. Quilts cannot be textile art because quilts are not artsy enough.

So the art community started entering art pieces into the quilt shows for the prize money offered. Over the years the quilt shows have accepted these and created separate catagories just for textile art type quilts. At the Nashville show I even saw one piece of painted artist's canvas that was quilted. But; to my knowledge and years of visiting art shows.... no actual quilt has ever been accepted into a textile art show. The art community still does not consider a bed quilt as a piece of art. No matter how skillful the technique and no matter how beautiful the maker does a design.... a quilt will remain just a quilt in the art community.

Ok, I think I've type-talked enough this morning. Once again I'm going to work hard at getting back on schedule. Before I start in the studio though, I'm going to put pictures in webshots of the fair quilts. I didn't get pictures of them all. Only as many as I could before my daughter got "bored" and wanted to leave.

I'm back from my trip to Nashville. We got back on time the same night. We didn't get a ribbon on our guild challenge quilts but we are all determined to do better next time. A one day trip from here to Nashville and back is exhausing for me.



I saw lots of things I wanted to buy but stayed within my budget of $100. Going to quilt shows is very hard on will power. Sooo many new things to see and drool over. I was very tempted to buy some other items! I came home with only these things though. These cost me $95 and were things I planned to buy already.

I met up with my friend Sherry from SC and her new quilting friends. It was so good to see her again! I wish I had time to visit with her longer. I'm always sad when friends move away.

Yesterday I decided it was best I get back to work. I have this one on the machine. It's another inherited vintage top. I put my absolute favorite vcr tape on machine quilting in the recorder for inspiration.....

and this happened. Now I'm really moaning the blues. This is the tape I watch more often than any other. I learned all the techniques on the tape long ago. It's the things said on the tape that give me inspiration. It's a Marcia Stevens tape and cannot be replaced because it was out of print long ago. Is that what one says about a vcr tape.... out of print?

If I knew of some place that repairs these and puts them onto disk I would pay to have it done. Boo hoo.... I'm gonna miss that tape!

When I started to work on the current quilt top; I set my mind to practice "quality" quilting for next year's fair. I figured if I start practicing now; maybe by next year's fair I'll have quality practiced enough to win a ribbon. Then I wondered..... just what is "quality" quilting? Is it pantos? Is it freehand? Is it heirloom? Does quality mean expensive or can it be lower cost? Is quality quilting simply well done? Who's idea of well done.... mine, the customer's, or a fair judge's?

Well dang! If I can't define "quality quilting" how am I going to know if I've practiced enough and achieved it?

Later......

About Fairs

I've been hearing different people talk about the "quality" of the craft items entered into the state fair. I kept hearing how disappointed people were that some things looked like amature work and shouldn't be allowed to enter. From art to flowers to quilts to weaving... all through the craft departments at the fair... the comments were all about the "lower quality" of entered items.


One local textile artist group offering a cash prize refused to give the prize in the department they intended because they were "disappointed in the quality" of the items entered. Even going so far as to be disappointed in how the items were "hanging" or "displayed." Get real! The items are hung and displayed at the fair by someone other than the crafter who enters it.


I've heard comments about how some items looked unfinished or how the items were made crooked or how the items didn't meet the viewer's idea of a craft.


Oh for heaven's sake.... What's next? A juried fair?


The fair is not a juried competition show for world renowned craftsmen..... it's supposed to have the work of amatures and handicapped persons as well as skilled paid craftsmen. The state fair is for everyone! Including those who make crooked, unfinished, and off color items. The fair is supposed to be the place where those who can't possibly be juried into a high end art contest can still display their crafts.

The fair is a place where absolutely everyone can put their "hobbies" out there for the world to see. The fair is a chance to express personal artistic expression and growth. It's the place where anyone can see their hobby item displayed in the public; puff out their chest; and say "Look what I did." A way to feel proud of an accomplishment whether its the very first one made or the 10,000th one made. Whether it meets the viewer's idea of perfectly made or not.

Seeing a ribbon on your craft is a great thrill but people shouldn't be entering the fair for that reason exclusively. The fair is the place where crafters can showcase their own personal artistic expression and see how it measures up against others doing the same craft. After all... there can be only one "best of show" in any department. The opinion of the judges at the Kentucky state fair may not be the same as the opinion of the judges at a different fair.


I also heard comments like..... "If so and so keeps entering then I won't enter anymore because I can't compete with her or him. She or he is a professional and should be required to enter a professional class." I also heard a comment.... "So and so has bought much better and newer craft equipment... they shouldn't be allowed to enter." In my opinion everyone entering a craft at the fair has an equal chance at winning a ribbon. One item.... one chance.

I mean really.... think about it.... saying you will not enter the fair because someone else is really good at their craft is almost like hearing all the olympic swimmers were refusing to enter the olympics because Phelps was going to be competing and is the record holder. Who would there be to strive and work hard to "be better than" if a really good crafter doesn't enter the fair?


Each craft department has set up certain criteria guidelines for their craft. By entering a craft item into the fair; the entrant has agreed to abide by the criteria and guidelines set up by that department. The one who comes closest to meeting all the criteria and guidelines is the one who should win. An unpaid crafter can meet the qualifications just as well as a crafter who gets paid for their work. In fact, the unpaid crafter may have a better chance at winning because the paid crafter is often so busy earning a living that they don't have the available time needed for making something to enter in the fair.

By the same reasoning, no judge should be allowed to not give a ribbon or prize simply because they feel the crafts entered are of lesser quality than they are normally used to judging. Ribbons and prizes ought be given to the actual crafts entered.... not given based on what someone believes should be entered. All ribbons and prizes should be awarded... and find a home with a crafter.... not tossed away after the fair because of an opinion.

If someone decides to enter a craft in the fair in a particular department they are agreeing to "play by the rules" of that department. The crafter who does the best job at following those rules is the one who should get the ribbons and the prizes. By the same token; entrants are also expecting the judges and prize givers to abide by their own "rules". The rules and prizes shouldn't be changed in the middle of the game based on one or two people's idea of what should be entered.

Even with rules and guidelines for a particular craft the judging is still subjective. The judges will recognize and reward technical skills for a craft but design and artistry are influenced by the preference of the judge. What one judge believes to be "best of show" may be totally different than what you believe or your neighbor or the judge from last year or the judge to be hired for next year. Don't take not getting a ribbon or a prize to heart. It isn't a reflection of your skills.... its an opinion of the judge.

So if you have entered an item in the fair and didn't win a ribbon or prize.... go ahead and strut you stuff... stand proud and have your picture taken next to your craft item... recognize your entry for what it really is.... an item you have made with your own hands and are very proud to display it for others to see. Study the winners. See what it was that got them a ribbon. Then work extra hard for an entry next year that may win you that ribbon or prize you want so much to win.

If you casually stand next to the item you made and listen to the comments made by viewers; be prepared to hear the bad comments as well as the good. Just remember that each viewer will have their own opinion on the craft. Each viewer has made themself a judge... for the moment... while looking at your craft. Some viewers will know the difficulty of the technical skills required to make your craft while others won't have a clue and will simply see it as a craft that doesn't interest them.

That's my opinion and I'm sticking to it.

State fair complaints

...

How would you interpret the following statement? I should explain that this description is written as a class description..... not listed in the textile department rules.

Professional Quilter classes

Professional - For the purposes of the state fair is defined as one who engages in an activity for monitary profit such as hand or machine quilting, teaching or instruction, or engages in retail or wholesale of products pertaining to the art of quilting.

Entry into this department will be an acknowledgement of professional status and will prohibit entry in other classes. Entries in these classes will not win points toward sweepstakes.

Did you read it as anyone who quilts professionally MUST enter that catagory? Or did you read it as anyone who WANTS to enter that catagory should declare themself a professional?

My own personal interpretation of the statement was that if a person WANTED to enter that catagory they had to declare themself a professional and prove it by indicating they earned money from quilting.

The textile people read it differently. They read it as anyone who earns money even remotely from quilting MUST enter that catagory only.

So it boils down to a WANT or MUST interpretation.

It hurt my feelings because I was stripped of all my ribbons this year. All because of how it could be interpreted. I think I'm all over the hurt now and I want to do something to improve the fair for next year.

The catagories I entered.... original design and art/pictorial were not a part of the professional division. I entered the way I thought I should for the catagories. So now that I'm being forced to enter the professional class I can't enter those type quilts anymore. I must either start making quilts to fit that catagory or stop entering.

If I don't enter anymore what will I be saying to the quilters who like the fair? Did I stop entering because I was hurt and upset? Will anyone realize I stopped entering because the quilts I create can't be entered anymore? I love the fair!! I've always encouraged others to get their entries in so we could have a mini quilt show right here in this area. I would love to see more participation.... not less.

There is another problem with the professional catagory.... one that will eventually cause even more problems if it hasn't already. They lumped the professional hand quilters in the same class as professional machine quilters. They also require a person who runs a quilt shop to be professional too. Even if the shop owner does not make quilts for a living. I see a dozen different problems that are about to arise from this professional status catagory.

I was also given a challenge...... "If you think you can rewrite the rules and catagories to make everyone happy..... without increasing the number of classes.... and without increasing the number of problems.... we will consider using it next year." It was not an official challenge. Just one given to me by someone involved with the fair.

Now THAT'S a real challenge!

I'm very much willing to take that challenge and give it a try even if it wasn't official. Hmmm.... just how would I go about making the fair a really nice event to enter? I haven't a clue at this point. I've never been involved with writing catagory or class descriptions. In fact I've never done anything for the fair textile department other than enter quilts myself and encourage others to enter too.

I've thought about this challenge and I realize I can't fix it.... if I don't know what's broken. No problem can be resolved until someone knows what the problem is in the first place.

I'm asking for your help. Send me your fair complaints!

Here's your chance to grouch and complain to your heart's content about the fair textile department! Let it loose! Tell me absolutely everything that causes a problem for you at your own fair and how you would change it if you could.

You can send me emails either publicly or privately... with or without your name. A name and contact information would be nice.... just in case I don't understand what you tell me. You can send your complaints to me through snail mail too if you want. Email me and I will give you my snail mail address. I simply want to know what every complaint or problem is from as many people as I can possibly contact.

Once I get those complaints and problems in my hands I can begin to condense everything into one useable guideline. Am I making my idea understandable? I'm never sure how what I write comes across to others.

What I am doing is simply accepting the responsibility of gathering information and putting it into a useable and easily readable format to present to the fair board. So instead of the board members having to read 1000 complaints about one single topic.... I will have the topic written once and tell them there were 1000 people who said the same thing. Maybe if the fair board is not overwhelmed with soooo many things to read or screening sooo many phone calls they will be more open to changes. Get the idea?

How will I use the complaints about other fairs? Well, the idea is to put those into a condensed version of potential problems. Things that might happen because they have happend in other places.

Ok, I think I've stated my project and how you can help me. I'll end this post and hopefully get lots of replies over the next few weeks. I think the deadline for sending me your thoughts should be October 5th. This will give me plenty of time to get it all read and condensed before the deadline to present it to the fair board.

Thank you to all who are willing to help me with my project. I look forward to reading what you write.