Local group shows

Most years there are shows put on by local groups. And some years (this being one of them) there are loads of shows whereas next year there will be fewer.  I've managed to visit quite a few this summer and I always learn something and usually try and buy a little something.

This weekend I went to Scrap Happy Quilters' show in Alverstoke.  There was an awful lot to look at and the show was spread out through St Mary's Church and also the Parish Hall.  One of the reasons I like group shows is that those who are perhaps a little less accomplished (that would be me if we had a show)  get the chance to put their work up and there is often a great variety of quilts and wallhangings to see.  This particular group also has a Young Quilters section and it's always interesting to see what they get up to.

A raffle quilt (sadly I didn't win), a bag tombola (didn't win any of those, either), various traders, sales table and a charity stall as well as excellent cake and coffee.  It takes an awful lot of time  and planning, driving about collecting stands, making labels, flyers etc, not to mention the actual hanging, and it is often the same people over and over again who end up doing so much of the work.  So I would like to say 'thank you' to all of the unsung, hardworking organisers who give us such a good show - usually for the princely sum of one or two pounds, and  encourage the non-quilting public to come in and see what it's all about.

And one day, if our group gets big enough, or we can team up with another, we will have a show of our own.............