Are Women Invisible ???

[Mary K.]

Here in western NY, there are hardly any sewing or quilting shows on TV either. It's disappointing.

I teach sewing at JoAnn's and I want to mention something. There was a reality show called Project Runway that the kids know about. There is now a line of Project Runway sewing patterns geared towards the younger set. I am seeing an increase in young kids signing up! They are interested in sewing and making thier own unique fashions. Yea! I don't know how we can entice them into quilting, but at least they DO want to learn to sew.

Also, the store sells a really nice selection of new Singer machines that are under $500 and REALLY nice. I often recommend them to the moms of these brand new sewers. There is no need to purchase an expensive machine for a first time sewer. If they do get into quilting later, they'll want something with more features, obviously, but not at first.

I am discouraged about the TV selections, but I wanted to let you know that there is an interest about sewing with our youth! Nancy in NY

[Beth A.]

If you are talking about "hooking" new quilters, you can't beat the serendipity of flippiing channels and seeing someone working on an absolutely stunning quilt, showing how easy it is to make just by sewing straight seams. And the TV is free. No newbies will subscribe to TQS and other websites until and unless they are "hooked."

I remember what hooked me: the Simply Quilts show where the authors demonstrated the watercolor quilt technique of blending fabrics with "reachies," etc. That piano quilt took my breath away and forced me to keep watching -- that day and every day i could after that.

We can show our quilts around, help newbies, encourage our friends and relatives and teach our young ones, but without some exposure to quilting by people who aren't so lucky, ours will be a tough craft to "sell" to the next generation.

Sure, we experienced quilters get more out of our more advanced techniques on the quilting websites and forums, but I still say that, while I love this and other quilting websites, I really enjoy watching quilting videos more on my large TV instead of in a tiny 4" screen like it appears on TQS and other quilting websites!

BethMI

[Patti P.]

Yes I've been looking for America Quilts Creatively this week too. This thread reminded me that I was going to go online to it's website to see if it was now offered on the internet but I can't seem to get into the website. I liked that show alot. It and Quilt Arts seemed to be the freshest shows on right now. Sorry to see it missing. I remember how many of us sent letters to HGTV protesting the demise of Simply Quilts to prove there is such an active market but no one heard. And when funds are limited, I am disappointed in losing that lovely luxury we had in free tv. Project Runway gets my juices going too to go back to designing my own clothes. Alas you only have so much time so I prefer to use it quilting. But I am appreciative of that show sparking young interest. Afterall alot of us quilters were clothing constructors first. Or artists in another medium.

[Eileen K.]

I'd love to know when SQ comes on HGTV! I can't find it in the lineup at all :?
I live in the NY City metro area and I get NO quilting shows. PBS told me when I wrote to them that there's not enough interest to warrant air time in this area.

I truly believe that the programming execs at all the networks think that we're very stupid. How else do you explain "I Survived a Japanese Game Show"? :shock:
eileenkny

[Eileen K.]

I would be very happy if there were any quilting or crafting shows in my area. I live in Windsor, Ontario (across the river form Detroit, MI). The PTB's seem to have decided that this viewing area is not interested in doing anything that might cost money to get supplies because of all the plant closures in the area. They don't seem to realize that when recession hits, that is when people turn to the "old-timey" crafts to tie them to the past and the good old days. (Just my guesstimate of their reasoning)

In Windsor there are 4 quilt shops within the city limits, two of which opened within the last year.
I think quilting is going strong.

Jean

[Eileen K.]

I wish there was some way to let the TV station's TIIC know how women/ quilters feel about being abandoned. I am fortunate that Flint MI still has Fons and Porter on it. I guess right now a lot of the PBS are trying to get ready for the conversion to HGTV. That said they should be looking to fill the air with something interesting not reruns of the same old garbage... I thought PBS CREATE was a good thing til today the recycled the same shows every 2 to 3 hours.

Repeats of old shows would be better than the garbage the is now playing.... Wait until the next FUNDRAISER... I am going to send them a check for 2 cents telling them since they no longer broadcast QUILTING SHOW that is all they get out of me.

I also have been writing to various TV stations about the lack of interesting programs... alot of good it does ... but I get to vent.

Just think.... HGTV is sitting on a gold mine... if they ever release SIMPLY QUILTS on DVD there would be a run at the video stores, but TIIC ARE too stupid to know it.











TIIC = the idiots in charge

[Sandy F.]

I have my computer set to record Simply Quilts and never noticed that there haven't been any recorded recently. I guess I do spend all my spare time here.

[Lynn 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

THE INTERNET has captivated my quilt imagination - not TV. I CHOOSE to not have cable so that limits my TV watching.

I think it's just a new way of exposure vs. the old way - TV. And young kids are wanting to learn....last year there were more young people at Quilt Festival than ever before. And quilt shops are seeing a rise in youth class participation.

But we need to be committed to mentoring them, too. Offering easy classes at sewing shops -- churches -- community center -- using fun patterns and methods that appeal to them. They probably don't want to make a postage size block quilt, but they still might want to learn to sew an apron.

As far as quilt shops closing, look at the internet traffic for shopping and how many shops on line there are! Woo Hoo! Talk about available! I agree, it's not like fondling your favorites, but it sure is easy!

I think many of you agree with this, but if you are accustomed to seeing it on TV, I can understand your sadness at it being gone. Maybe that's good for TQS!

TQS ROCKS!!!
Lynn

[Liberata T.]

Lynn, don't bother with cable because it is full of reruns, infommercials, shopping channels, reality garbage, and old movies.

I can remember that the promise of cable was access to special interest programs not dictated by big broadcasters and large advertizers, more local community programming, and channels that could cater to smaller audiences. It never came true (unless you're a sports buff). It is the same story in the USA, UK, and other countries. It is the internet (which, unfortunately, some people abuse horribly) that has made the promise come true. That is why I will continue to support TQS which provides so much for so little $. Examples: Our monthly cable bill is over 3x the cost of a TQS series. It's what DH wants though he hardly watches it. He pays a monthly charge equivalent to the cost of a TQS series for his online game access.
OK, I'm getting a bit off topic but I don't see PBS or cable giving more than a token nod to any crafting interest. The BBC which is government owned and operated, does cater to more diverse tastes but still is answerable to competition from Sky, ITV, etc. I just don't see TV providing what we want.

[Liberata T.]

I agree with so many of you that the TV offerings have become very slim. I think what I love about the internet venue is the ease and personal choices that is gives me. I LOVE deciding when and where I will listen and watch and participate.

I have looked and read about many website offerings for quilters, but TQS is the one I choose by far. I don't have the extra time to be involved in several, so this site fits my needs and interests and gives me so much variety that I can't even try it all. And besides that, I've met so many wonderful people.

As far as new quilters and younger quilters....I started quilting when I was 33, 13 years ago...and when I first started, I seemed to always be the youngest one in any group of quilters I did something with. At Paducah this past April, I noticed lots of younger ladies, and even stopped and talked to at least ten different ones, and asked about how long they had been quilting, etc.....I found that all but one was a new quilter and that was their first time to a major show. They all were so excited!!!! These conversations gave me a new hope that this art of quilting is alive and well. Different? yes.....Changing? yes........but still full of excitement for so many.

Here's to quilting..........old and new.............I know it will bring so much joy for many years to come.

Dana in Olive Branch, MS

[Liberata T.]

I don't watch TV very much. I've looked at some of the shows I hear people talking about, and they just don't interest me. I watch a bit on the SciFi channel, and Fox News, and not much else. We do have the most basic cable that will give us the SciFi channel, and our broadband computer access comes with the cable, so I have the internet at my fingertips. It's worth the $102 a month to us. DH likes to watch the History Channel and the ones with old movies from time to time. I listen while either on the computer or sewing. I do spend way more time on the computer than on sewing, and would like that to be reversed.

Pat in Rockport, TX