We quilters all love to go to quilt shows. The inspiration alone that we get from the work of others is enough to get us there, but then there are the other great things we find once we arrive. For you newbies...if you haven't attended a quilt show yet...run, don't walk, to the next one you hear of!

How often do guilds hold a quilt show? That depends on each individual guild, but usually it's every 2 -3 years. It's an inordinate amount of work and the main source of revenue for most guilds in order to continue holding meetings, hiring speakers and supporting their local charities. (photos shown below are from our 2018 quilt show)

Our guild, The Twisted Stitchers of Ajax, Ontario, is holding our first quilt show since 2018! Covid, of course, wreaked havoc on quilt guilds and other organizations over the last couple of years, but things are finally getting back to “normal”.

Here are some tips for you to be a great quilt show visitor:

1. Come to the show.

Most quilt shows have an entry fee (usually $7-10) that allows you to admire all the quilts that are displayed throughout the venue and to vote on your favourites. Depending on the show, your entry ticket may make you eligible for door prizes. Our guild, the Twisted Stitchers QG, has some quite varied door prizes because we know that not all visitors are quilters...some people bring their spouses and some bring friends who are not quilters. We've had anything from fat quarter bundles to oil changes to haircut coupons as our prizes. Non-quilters love that we had prizes just for them.

2. Buy a raffle ticket.

Any quilt show I've been to has a raffle quilt (or two) that they sell tickets for. You may not like the colours of the quilt or the design, but please support the guild by buying a $2-5 ticket. If you really don't like it and you win, you can gift it to someone else and be proud that you supported a group that gives to charity. Quite frankly, I’ve never seen a raffle quilt that isn’t anything but wonderful…guilds work very hard to make their raffle quilts appealing to many people.

3. Support the vendors.

Every quilt show I've been to has a Merchants Mall...different stores that have traveled, sometimes quite a distance, to sell their wares at the show and have to shell out for hotel rooms, food, staffing and gas. We usually don't have to prompt you to do this because that's one of the great things about attending a quilt show. There are vendors there that offer things we may not see at our local shops.

4. Support the host guild.

Visit the tea room where you can buy yummy home-baked goods or sandwiches, visit the boutique where you can purchase beautiful hand-made items at reasonable prices, and bid on items at the silent auction. All these activities help to support the guild, and since a quilt show is the major fund-raising event for most guilds it will allow them to pay for rent, supplies and speakers, and to continue supporting the other charities in their community for the next couple of years.

5. Be inspired.

Maybe you love traditional hand-appliqué quilts. Maybe you love the more modern quilts. Maybe wacky and funky is your go-to. Any quilt show I've attended is a mixture of all of the above...there's something for everyone. Something may catch your eye that is totally out of your wheel-house, but it may inspire you to try something new and get out of your safe little box. Quilt shows offer up everything.

6. Vote for your favourite quilts.

Let the quilters know how much you love their work and vote for your favourites. They've worked so hard to make these beautiful quilts and are proud to display them. TSQG doesn't have just one Viewer's Choice prize. They also have other awards that allow beginners, not just the seasoned quilters, to have a shot at prizes. Many guilds also have in-guild challenges. Each member who wishes to participate purchases a fat quarter of the focus fabric, creates a small wallhanging, bag or table runner using it and enters their piece into the challenge. It's amazing how each person interprets the theme and/or uses the fabric so differently. It's one of the highlights of our show.

7. Be a kind observer.

At our guild’s very first quilt show way back in 2009 I was standing with a beginner quilter who was so proud to have her first quilt hanging in the show. She initially thought her quilt wasn’t up to par for entering it into the show, but a few of us talked her into putting it on display. Well, you can probably see where this is going...another pair of ladies came up, looked at her quilt and verbally tore it apart as we were standing there. My friend was embarrassed and close to tears. Well, that ticked me off, I tore a strip off them and they left the quilt show in a huff. You never know who is around you...unless you have nothing nice to say in the moment it's best to not say anything at all. Remember that we were all beginners at one time.

Feel free to head on over to the Twisted Stitchers Quilt Guild website for more great photos from our past quilt shows. And please visit our upcoming show on Saturday, October 28 from 10-6 and Sunday, October 29 from 10-4 at the Audley Recreation Centre in north Ajax, Ontario. Our members have been working really hard to put on a stellar show for everyone.

Let me know what your favourite thing is at a quilt show. Do you have any interesting anecdotes or personal stories? Please share.

So check on-line, find a quilt show, yell “road trip!” and grab your quilt buds for a wonderful outing. It won't be hard to support the guild putting on the show...you will want to buy all the things. Have fun!