Yesterday I got back my entries for the national competition. No
hardware this time. There were nice comments about the Tunisian crochet bag, but the strap isn't stiff enough. Right. The judges didn't like my tatting. The pink bookmark is too long, they don't like the backing fabric, my tension is average and the yellow centres detract from the design..... Right. I saw pictures of the winning entries and the question of whether I should enter a traditional doily next year or a progressive one is answered. I may still enter Under an African Sky, but I won't expect a favourable response.
Wow now you got me worried :( I just walked my entries in Tuesday and I did not know that they give you tips on your work.) I don't know if I could take it. That bag is my favorite! I am hoping I will get some kind of ribbon cause I am counting on no one else entering in the tatting category :)
ReplyDeleteGood luck! I hope you do better than I did.
DeleteLousy bunch of judges, says I! The readers on your blog are better judges!! Stick with them. Here's my judgment: Your work is inspiring!
ReplyDeleteGrr, hogwash! That bag is stunning and gorgeous! And the bookmark is too long? Tension average? Seriously? Please do not enter Under the African Sky, I don't think I could stand such dreck about that amazing piece!
ReplyDeleteI think you're right, I'm not going to submit it to such judgement!
DeleteI love that bag! And I like your bookmarks, too.
ReplyDeleteAll three are blue ribbon entries in my opinion. The judges don't have a clue.
ReplyDeleteI think everything looks wonderful!!! :)
ReplyDeletePearls to swine....obviously.
ReplyDelete:-) obviously!
DeleteI had a similar problem, i made a green and pink necklace and it looks really good, unconventional but good, and the judge was saying something like, choose a lighter pink, it takes away from the pattern...aim for___ and i am sitting here thinking, the tatting is perfect, the colors while not traditional...go well (imo), why is the judging based on their personal taste and not the project?
ReplyDeleteLast year i entered a doily, but this year i did snowflakes and a top hat, and the necklace under bead/jewelry...i see it this way, i am not there to be traditional, i am here to spread tatting to the world :)
Ah, so it's not just me or this competition.I think it's a shame, but yes, let's spread tatting to the world.
Deleteapparently the judges have not entered the modern era. They do not know what they are talking about. All the tatting you post, is wonderful as to tension and color and design. What do they want? plain old ecru? and I suppose no beads? They do not know what they are talking about. The bag is really good.
ReplyDeleteThank you. Yes, the problem is that they haven't entered the modern era. The description of tatting in the handbook is altogether old fashioned and boring. Yup, plain old ecru is what they want. It's a shame and I don't think it does anything to encourage tatting or move it forward.
DeleteHow on earth could they have said that the bookmark's too long? - books need the place to be marked at each end, it has to hang out of the volume! All very disappointing, but don't let it stop you from entering again. I suppose the problem is that many of the judges are not tatters.
ReplyDeleteTo be fair to the judges, the length was specified. I measured bookmark plus tail, whereas they measured it as one, so I was over.
Deletewhat a shame, your work looks lovely, do not let them put you off and show the judges what you are made of next time!
DeleteIf it counts, I like All your entries :-)
ReplyDeleteI like my bookmarks to have a tail & tassle hanging out of the book , whatever it is made of. Also, books are of different sizes, so I keep & use bookmarks of varying lengths. eg., my version of Morning Glory bookmark has a shorter braid and is ideal for paperbacks, though not for encyclopaedia. ..
Your African Sky Doily is Very symbolic, abstract, meaningful, and modern/futuristic. Hopefully a generation gap in the tatting world won't affect it's prospects at this particular contest. We all have, of course, embraced it with all our heart :-)
Tat for yourself, I say. You know the quality and beauty of your work, so don't let the uninformed and the old specifications wear you down. Of course, one could always get involved in the judging aspect and have a voice in setting/deciding the requirements, right?
ReplyDeleteDo the judges need to be experienced tatters? I think it should be a requirement, but, maybe that's just me.........
Thanks very much everyone for your support! I must admit that when I first heard that my bookmarks were rejected, I was discouraged. I thought here I am, about to go teaching and I'm a fraud!! But when I realised that it's a question of traditional versus modern, things became a bit clearer. Ideally I'd like to persuade the organisation to move forward a bit, but in practice, I have no contact with the hierarchy and my chances are er slim.
ReplyDeletePoor cheeky judges, I wish they knew how high your tatting ranks in 'international circles'. LOL!
ReplyDeleteYou still have your trophies from the local fair to give you solace! I wouldn't be too concerned about these 'out of touch' national judges!. I agree with Tilly Tatty that your work is well known and valued highly across the world!!
ReplyDeleteAnd I would encourage you to enter your African Sky doily next year at the local level. It MUST be seen in person by visitors! And I would hope the judges acknowledge that you are the designer! You could possibly retain your 'hardware' for another year! I would just be worried that the doily would be safely stored while going on to the National show. That's a long time to be without your items.