It is time for me to update my blog post about being a steward at Festival of Quilts - I have been stewarding since 2017 (the exception being 2020 due to Covid) and every year I’ve had the best time, the perks of this job are the best but that isn’t the only reason I would recommend being a quilt steward - the opportunity to gaze lovingly at quilts for hours on end has to be my top reason.

In no particular order here is why you should volunteer to quilt steward at Festival of Quilts

Cake and other snacks.  

On my first visit I was warned that there would be cake,I know Gavin who has recently stepped down from the role of organiser often lived exclusively on cake for the duration of the festival.  Jacqui who is the current Steward organiser needs gluten free options if you are baking!  The cakes are donated by fellow stewards and there is a mixture of home made and purchased and some healthy folks also brought less calorific snacks.

Time to really look at quilts

For me this is the real reason I want to steward again this year, when I have visited quilt shows and exhibitions I do try and spend time looking at the exhibits but with the best of intentions some quilts only get a glance.  When you are stewarding you can take advantage of the quieter times to really look at the quilts, to see how they have been constructed.  Is that image printed, pieced or appliqué?  Was it hand quilted or machine quilted.  What fabrics have they used.  How has the quilt been finished……etc.  over the course of a couple of hours you will really get to know the quilts in your gallery and develop a favourite or two.   You can also get to meet the maker, as I did last year when I met the maker of this 3D quilted torso which had a great back story.

 

Use of a show guide/quilt index 

Another financial saving, approx £10, you can answer questions on quilts, give directions to visitors and also find out more about the quilts in terms of inspiration and contraction too.  Having all the info at your fingertips is really all the knowledge you need to be a good quilt steward.

Chat to public and other quilt enthusiasts

You don’t have to chat to the visitors but if your like me you won’t be able to stop yourself.  Last year I met this lady, we had fun finding all of the kaleidoscope quilts, she said she would make one - I wonder if she did?  I will have a quilt entered this time, it will be great to see it hanging (don't look too closely as my piecing is a bit wonky). 

Free entry to FofQ 

in return for working the required number of hours.  So you save yourself £24.20

Secure room to store your bag/coat/shopping.  

In order to coordinate all the quilt stewards who work a couple of shifts each day so that the quilts are constantly monitored means that you get a room with seating to store your bags and coats and can get set up with white gloves and a sash before hitting the quilt halls.  

A sit down.  

After a few hours on your feet you will really appreciate a chair - if you are a ‘normal’ visitor at FofQ you will know that finding a seat is a tricky thing and we have all eaten seated on the floor at the NEC at some event or other in the past.  So this perk is a luxury you won’t forget.

Meet people who share your interest.  

Each shift you will be working with one or two others over seeing quilts in a particular gallery, my first ever session was on the miniature quilts and I got to chat to a lovely lady who was originally from the Netherlands who was extremely knowledgeable on quilting techniques, it was inspiring to look at the quilts with her, she was great company. 

The power of the white gloves

 - keep your food/bags/hands/pens away from the quilts - no not touch.  

 If you want to join this wonderful opportunity then here the all important links from Jacqui who organises the stewards:

We have our own Facebook Group! If you're not a member yet, please consider signing up:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/foqstewards

Some information about Stewarding at the Festival of Quilts can be found here:
https://www.quiltersguild.org.uk/pages/discover/about/volunteering/stewarding-at-festival-of-quilts