Friday 28 February 2020

Entering Quilt Shows

Today I entered two quilts in to the Sydney Quilt Show.

Although I live in New Zealand, I am a member of the QuiltNSW guild in Australia.  I joined that guild when I realised that I couldn't enter my la passacaglia quilt into any exhibitions in New Zealand.  Our national show (Symposium) says that all quilts have to be original design, although they appeared to be relenting on that at the Auckland Symposium.



Although I've know for weeks which quilts I'm going to enter, neither of them are finished yet, and neither of them had names yet! 

QuiltNSW are very generous and let people enter quilts that aren't finished yet.  The guild can do that because it's not a juried show - every member has the right to enter at least one quilt.  If there are too many quilts, they run a ballot and some people's second choices are declined entry.



Last year I ended up in a rush and was still hand quilting my Carnival quilt in May, and I vowed I wouldn't do that again this year.  But entries close in the first week of March, and it's too hot to hand quilt in February.  The good news is that this year's entries are much further along that last year's, and I could finish them both within the next two weeks if I had to. 


You can read more about Carnival here

As for the names - well that was difficult.  I like to give my quilts personalised names, rather than just calling them the name of the pattern.  That's not always easy - especially when I called last year's quilt Carnival and it would have been perfect for this year's quilt. 

But the good news is that I've settled on names for both of my entries and completed them now. 

This will be my fourth year entering the QuiltNSW show.  I love meeting all my online friends, and shopping at all the stalls at the show.  Making an annual pilgrimage to Kathy Doughty's shop, Material Obsession, is also a must.



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9 comments:

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

love your quilt! so many of us do not make original patterns I'm surprised that for the show you mentioned that that is the only way. I have not used 28wt thread that you show for you quilt - how does it compare to #12 - I am using 12wt on my quilt that I shared on your blog

Cathy said...

Whatever you call them I call them both a glorious riot of color. Have fun at the show.

For the love of geese said...

Beautiful explosion of color.

Frédérique - Quilting Patchwork Appliqué said...

I love this pattern, you were right to enter your beautiful quilt! Whatever the name, it will be a winner!

FlourishingPalms said...

I think the NSW guild has the right idea about being able to enter unfinished (at the time of entry) quilts into their show. I don't know of a single USA guild or show that allows that. Nice for you to be able to enter two quilts, and even better that you're far enough along on both of them to make them timely finishes. I admire your dedication to making such large, intricately detailed quilts, and hand quilting them. My attention span is way too short to do such things. Enjoy the process!

Anorina @SameliasMum said...

I look forward to seeing your quilts hanging at the show this year. I've missed the Sydney quilt show the last couple of years, but hoping this year I won't have any 'kid things' clashing so that I can attend :)

Robby said...

I love that the NSW guild allows both unfinished quilts and people to enter more than one quilt. What an encouragement to quilters who are growing in their craft and skill.

Can't wait to see what you've named them. Good luck!

Granny Maud's Girl said...

My local guild has similar rules.
You are right about the name Carnival suiting both. How about Carnival II or Circus or Merry-go-round or Kaleidoscope, or somewhat randomly, Dizzy Spider? I know you have chosen names (and they will be excellent), but I am just having fun.

dq said...

Carnival is really amazing! I want to keep studying it. I do also like your new one with big polka dots, circles, and lots of color.