Are Women Invisible ???

[Frances L.]

I am beginning to think I am turning invisible... I have noticed this a lot in my life but since this is a quilting forum I am going to address this in relationship to quilting.

The show I use to watch about quilting are disapperaring... ( Yes I watch the QUILT SHOW via dvd cause I have dial up ) but I can remember when quilting and sewing shows were on PBS and cable... now they are disappearing from the air waves... How are we going to attract younger people to quilting if their are no shows... You can see home decore shows, sports, fashion and celebrity stuff but the sewing, quilting and hand crafts are disappering from the air waves. It seems anything that is related to women's interst is slowly being removed from TV... I am so bored with the shows that are on now... I usually grab the remote and flip channels more then my DH.

What do you think?

[Donna N.]

You raise an interesting question and have posed the question of the next generation of quilters. I have to agree with the selection of available viewing is dwindling rapidly. Fons and Porter are still on the Alabama PBS, but America Quilts Creatively seems to be off-the-air (at least I haven't been able to find it in the last week or so.) Maybe they're rotating it out with some of the other shows and will bring it back around.

I wonder, too, if our chosen art form is taking another dive in popularity since the number of fabric stores that cater to quilters is also dwindling, at least here in central Alabama.

Can we get new quilters by offering to work with schools to host after-school classes in beginning quilt-making?

Should we be more proactive in drumming up our own publicity to highlight the charitable works done by local guilds through the media (TV, newspapers, magazines)?

Do we start a grassroots campaign to request the PBS stations to carry the shows we want?

I think these are steps we can take to encourage new quilters, but the first step can be as close as our own back yards. Do we have daughters, sons, nieces, nephews, cousins, neighbors, who might be interested in quilting if we just offered to teach them?

[Sandy F.]

I don't think women are invisible, I think television is invisible. Unless you follow sports there isn't much else to chose from. I use to be a big HGTV and Food Network fan but it's no longer instructional but too over the top for me anymore.

I record four quilt shows each week; Simply Quilts (HGTV); Fons and Porter, Sewing With Nancy, and America Sews with Sue Hausmann (all PBS). The quilting world is probably the largest it has ever been and I think we do need to be concerned about the next generation of quilters and reach out to anyone interested. But we have a lot of young quilters on TQS and they are so web savvy that I think online quilting communities such as this are going to be their guilds and mentors of tomorrow.

Quilting is becoming big business and Marie Osmond has come out with a line of fabrics and patterns. If hers does well would not surprise me if other 'celebrities' didn't jump on the bandwagon so who knows what's next.

[Beth A.]

I agree. A couple of years ago, our local newspaper, the Detroit Free Press, dropped the weekly sewing column. Mind you, this columnist covered knitting, crocheting, quilting, garment-sewing, etc. I called and asked when they would be replacing her, and they said they would not. I complained, saying that they would never consider discontinuing the sports page, so why can't we have just ONE single weekly column?

And I agree about quilt shows disappearing from TV. Simply Quilts is now off HGTV, Fons & Porter is no longer on PBS here. We have 2 quilting / sewing shows now (Sewing with Nancy and America Qults Creatively) -- both on before dawn on Saturdays. I tape them of course, but why do we never get anything at a reasonable time?

I also agree about needing TV shows to attract young people. I got hooked on quilting because I saw some Simply Quilts episodes that just riveted me. I can't imagine being rivited by the teeny movies I see on the internet. (No offense TQS!) And many of the best internet shows are now subscription, so "passing" young people can't see them, anyway.

My daughter has caught the quilting bug, but how many people can I personally affect? WE NEED TV!!!

BethMI

[Beth A.]

I think there is an ebb and flow to crafts and hobbies. After the 60's quilting was not as popular. Then in the 70s there was more interest but as 'lost art' because of the Bi-centennial. Then in the 90s the interest was back.
As the economy turns, there is more of an interest in the 'old ways'.

Remember quilting is an art which is done in the home. It really is up to us to pass our art on to the next generation. We learn what we see and experience.

FW

[Beth A.]

Simply Quilts (HGTV); Fons and Porter, Sewing With Nancy, and America Sews with Sue Hausmann (all PBS).

The problem is these shows are being replace / or off the air/ or no longer doing quilting... Sorry but America Sews is NOT quilting... America Quilts is just barely better.

( SUE HOUSEMAN is on TV right now making pasesly (sp?) couching on a velore hooded sweatshirt where they cut off the hood and made it into a purse. I am sorry but the s/s shirt is NOT attractive on her.. it looks like a walking sofa. It does not flatter her figure. Shows like this will turn people / kids/ daughters off of sewing. Just because we can does not mean we should.)

Sewing with Nancy had a fancy BABY LOCK needle puncher making UGLY .. gag me .. DESIGNER PILLOWS... They were just trying to sell that one trick pony machine... The final results was just plain ugly.... Calling something designer does not make it beautiful. I think they were trying to appeal to younger women but are failing.

Can anyone tell me has the attendence to HOUSTON or Paducka fallen off? I hear about how quilt shops are going out of business but I think that is more a reflection of poor business techniques ( some shop owners are great quilters but not so hot in the business and financial manners ) and the general falling in the economy then the lack of quilters. QUILTERS always find their fabrics.

I personally have resorted to using up my stash because I do not like a lot of the new fabrics and colors that are out there. I do not sew on fabrics I dislike. I will not make quilts for others unless I love the fabric and will have a hard time letting it go. Besides I went hog wild last year and have to get some of this fabric used up or I will have no-where to sleep.

I guess I should not get bugged these shows are disappearing. It will add value to our quilts in the future. ... I have decided to add to my quilt care instruction lables that I put on the back of all my quilts the following:

Those that cut up my quilts to use in a home decoration project with be CURSED.. with the Italian evil eye, gypsy curses and I will come to HAUNT you in your sleep... SO BEWARE.

THANKS FOR LISTENING TO MY RANTS... I THINK I AM ON SOME KIND OF TEAR.... maybe it is hormonal but I though I was over that years ago.....

[Mary K.]

I do agree that the tv medium is fading away and the younger generation gets their news and entertainment (often blurred together) from the Internet.

My 14 year old daughter is a quilter because I was looking for a hobby that we could do at home together.... and she is connected to the TQS community - between TQS and the LQS owner who has taken an interest in growing my daughter's interest in quilting, these are the two major influences outside our home.

Another thing that has increased my daughter's interest is the Hoffman Challenge. She submitted an entry last year, and although they did not have a youth cataogry, the woman who runs the Challenge recognized Katie and one other yound lady who submitted an entry (I am assuming that these were the only two youth who entered). THey both were awarded some prizes...... and sure enough, my daughter was more than motivated to enter the Challenge again this year. Having a carrot out there is often a good motivator for kids!

I think another reason that youth are not entering the quilting community at the rates that they used to is that Home Ec is not offered in many schools..... and Art classes are not offered as often as they used to be either.

Mary Kay

[Mary K.]

Its not just that women are being seen as invisible by TPTB (the powers that be) but anyone over the age of 30 anymore is out in the cold. Shows that were designed to appeal to a slightly more mature taste are being taken away to be replaced with infantile reality shows. Big Brother makes me sick!!! I liked Survivor in the first season or two, but now it is a joke. And did you know American Idol has an age limit on contestants!! You must be 29 or younger to even complete. I find this ludicrous especially seeing as the female voice only fully matures in her thirties (think back on Madonna - her early voice sounds WAY different, and her best work she was in her 30s)

Quilting, along with many "non-vogue" hand crafts are seen by TPTB as "old people's hobbies", therefore television stations are becoming less likely to put these shows on the air. Now we still find scrapbooking fairly easy, but hey it is in a hayday right now, along with knitting. What needs to happen is that we quilters need to get out there and let our voices be heard. Tell those tv stations we want these shows, and at decent times too (sorry, but even we "old fogies" are not up before dawn).

Also we need to make an effort ourselves to get the younger generation involved. Schools are eliminating home ec because of budget problems, but I bet if you went to your local school and volunteered to come in and make a quilt with a class some teacher would be more than happy to have you! I can remember having a lady do this when I was in grade school. She came in with her machine first and set up in the library and just started peicing, all the while talking with students about quilting and its history. Once the top was together she placed it in a frame in the library, taught us how to hand quilt it, and we were allowed to work on it whenever we had free time in library class. To my knowlege the completed quilt still hangs in the library. Now imagine if just one quilter went to each school in a town, county, state... all the young impressionable minds that could be influenced! It is definately food for thought.

Mandy

[Mary K.]

Another thought.... 'we' and I mean we as society have reared two generations of folks who want/need instant gratification. The lack of home ec in schools is one minor problem...how many of your neighbors sew or make their own clothing? How many young women cook a meal from scratch every night? How many of their mother's do that same?
My neighbors...two young women....one with children-one without...both are working...and when they are at home...they are either 'going' out or taking the kids to some activity.
I made gazpacho soup on Weds...and both couldn't get over that I 'made it from scratch'!!! LOL
So we live in a society of fast food, instant news, and books on tape...what the heck we don't even have to READ anymore...just listen.
So the lack of quilting or sewing shows...doesn't surprise me at all.
Until it is cheaper to make your clothing and department store 'quilts' are no longer sold for $50...quilting will be a art kept alive by those continue to love it.
Another issue...the cost of sewing machines. As seasoned quilters we know..we do not have to have the most expensive machine. Please understand...I love new technology but I will probably not be purchasing the new Bernina....$10,000 plus...I can pay a semester's tuition....and that money will go a long way for house payments and food.

FW

[Beth A.]

I just learned today that even Sewing with Nancy and America Quilts Creatively have now been eliminated from our PBS lineup.

I agree with the person who said that these shows were only barely quilting, but at least they were SOMETHING!

Why do we have 1,000 decorating shows ("with a budget of only $2,000!"), 25 sports shows per week and NO sewing shows? This, while our quilting industry is a multi-BILLION dollar one?

BethMI

P.S. And I also agree that just because Sue Hausman CAN make those tops, she should NOT!

[Beth A.]

I must live on the moon.......I've never even heard of any of the shows that you are all talking about, except Simply Quilts. Which is now off the air in my neck of the woods.

I do remember when I was young being influenced strongly by Erica Wilson's needlework show. I had to learn to do needle point because I saw her on television. I already had a love for sewing, but with out the exposure I probably wouldn't have learned other needle crafts when I was in my teens. I hope that some day the media will realize that there is a viewing audience out there like us.

[Paula D.]

I don't miss the TV stuff at ALL, with its commercials and need to cater to the "beginners". We have the INTERNET!!! There is so much here, TQS being the best of the best. Thousands of quilters have web sites, podcasts, galleries to drool over. And shopping online is addictive!! There are many many DVDS (We love Ricky's!!) To teach you anything. There are links on almost every site. I call them "rabbit holes", as I am always getting lost as I am taken from site to site. TV? That's for boring reruns and depressing news.

[Paula D.]

You are lucky you have shows on TV at all. I have never in my life seen any shows on TV presenting quilting...or any craft!

And, I think we need to realize that we are living in TheWebWorld, and I love the fact that I have been able to join the online-quilting-world!! It has truly changed my quiltinglife :wink:

If we want young people come quilt with us, we may need to get out of our "old fashion" box sometimes and make quilts that appeals to young people presented in a way that young people understand. :idea: 8) :twisted:

[Mary K.]

Honestly, when I think about it, I prefer reading Hanne-Greta's blog (and learning about and seeing the beauty of Norway), or Bridget's blog, or Wren1010's (Karen's), or Margo's, or Sandy's, I could go on and on and on, etc, etc, etc, or many of the other in the member's blog community.... or entering Ricky or Alex's classroom on the web..... or intereacting with others in the Forum than I do to watching a quilt show on TV. Lots more to stimulate my brain and provide some interaction! Mary Kay

[Mary K.]

Of course you are right TV has become a waste land. Hands on learning will always be the best way to learn. But I love watching something on a quilt show then applying that techniques to something I am making weather it be a block or a quilt. TV use to be a place I could learn interesting skills. Now I barely have it on because there is nothing of interest. I do usually do put in a quilting DVD to keep me company while I cook or clean.

I have tried the blogs that people put on and often I see or read something of interst but often the type/ font is too small to read ( even on my new monitor) I use to copy and paste to a word file so I can increase the font but frankly that can be too much work to do it all the time I only do it if the topic is very interesting. Why do bloggers use such small fonts/ types? ( Yes I

I liked the TV shows because they were FREE. Buying DVDs, taking classes can get expensive. That is one reason I liked the idea of TV actually teaching something. ... ah for the GOLDEN AGE OF TV.