Borntohandquilt

I have a question to all of you going to local and international Quilt Shows.

What is the relationship between hand and machine quilted quilts in the shows? More machine quilting or more hand quilting?

How do you feel about it?

Thank you for your answers!

117becca

i did go to one amish quilt show - so, those were all hand quilted and absolutely beautiful!!!

The other 2 shows that i went to in Sept had more machine quilted quilts. Most of the quilting was just a wandering type of quilting. Although, I did see a couple machine quilted quilts that were absolutely beautiful - there was attention paid to the blocks, and the design of the quilt.

The ones that were handquilted were older/vintage quilts. Very few new hand quilted ones. I prefer hand quilted, patch-work, more vintage looking quilts.

sewcrafty

I'm disappointed that there aren't more quilts hand quilted. I truly believe that there should be 2 separate categories. One for each. IMHO the 2 don't and can't compare.

Sadly to say I thinks its a sign of the times. As people find themselves short on time, they find faster ways of doing something.

Hinterland

There are definitely more machine quilted quilts in the shows I've been to.

I just came back from Houston, and all the quilting was exquisite, no matter how it was done. The hand made and hand quilted categories were small, but each had over 10 quilts entered, plus there were some hand quilted items in other categories. Locally most of the quilts are machine quilted, and it seems that most of them have been done by professional quilters.

chiaraquilts

I went to A Quilters Gathering last week and saw some of each- more machine quilting, but a good representation of hand quilting too. And there were separate catagories for each.

I started as a handquilter about 25 years ago, and still enjoy it. However, I am doing a lot of FMQ now (still learning!) and love some of the effects that are possible. I think we need to respect each one as a different but very beautiful craft.

Borntohandquilt

I agree absolutely!

:thumbup:

gaigai

There were more machine than hand quilted quilts here in Houston, but hand quilting was well represented. Nothing up to your standards, BTQ, and I think you should enter next year. You would win hands down! The BIG MONEY winners are all machine quilted because they are sponsored by the different machine companies. I don't know of anyone who sponsors big-money prizes for hand-quilting, but there may be someone.

As far as hand vs machine, I say you are comparing raspberries and apples. Both are fruit. One ripens slowly and one quickly.

I am a machine quilter/piecer. I have hand quilted, but it's too slow a process for me, and in fact I enjoy the piecing much more than the quilting, which, frankly is a chore I prefer to pay to have done.

My mother actually said to me once that "Quilts that are made by machine aren't made with the same love as one that is hand quilted". So I promised her that she would NEVER get another quilt from me, because they aren't made with love. And I've kept my promise.

And chiara, that was VERY well said!! :-P

Hinterland

Actually, the quilt that won the Founders Award ($7500 in prize money) is a hand-quilted Baltimore Album quilt by Nancy Kerns. She uses a 14 inch hoop, and she quilts at her dining room table. The table supports the weight of the quilt - and the quilt is HUGE!

Colonial Needle sponsored the Handmade category this year, and John Flynn sponsored the hand quilting category.

The Paducah quilt show has also honored hand quilted quilts, and their purchase prizes are big money if you want to give them your quilt. One of the major winners last show is Linda Roy, whose quilt "Vintage Button Bouquet" is hand quilted. That quilt won first place in Traditional Applique at Houston. :)

gaigai

Thanks Hinterland! I knew someone would have better information than I!! And Borntoquilt, I still say you should enter.

Hinterland

I agree!