Needlework, Dept. 24

2022 Entry Instructions

ONLINE ENTRY IS PREFERRED. To be an Exhibitor, click on the Online Entry link and follow the instructions. The alternate way to enter is to print out the offline entry form, fill it out, and mail it in according to the deadline outlined on the form and on the Entry Deadlines and Delivery Schedule page. (Please contact your Department if you are unable to print the entry form.)

Rules

1. Only 1 article may be exhibited in each letter/number/letter designation in a category by an exhibitor, and all articles exhibited must be made by that exhibitor.
2. Professionals are welcome to exhibit in categories other than those in which they earn a living.
3. No article previously exhibited at the Durham Fair can compete again for prizes.
4. Soiled and dirty articles will not be accepted.
5. All pictures and wall hangings must be equipped for hanging.
6. It is recommended that wall hangings be washed, pressed and/or stretched.
7. Heirloom sewing is considered to be sewing that incorporates lace and or embroidered insertions and edgings.
8. Quilting must be done by exhibitor.
9. All exhibits must remain on display until close of the Fair at 6 PM on Sun. Exhibits may be picked up from 6 to 7:30 PM on Sun., or from 4 to 7 PM on Mon. following the Fair.
10. All items must be completed within the last 3 years.
11. After the Storm Art Bra has specific rules and entry requirements.
    View After the Storm rules here

Judging

Review the Judging Criteria to see both overall review standards, as well as criteria specific to the various categories.

Awards:

• First Place: Blue Ribbon
• Second Place: Red Ribbon
• Third Place: Yellow Ribbon
• Honorable Mention: Light Blue Ribbon
• Special Ribbon: Above and beyond First Place
• Best of Show: Each Category can have one item that is “Best” amongst all Special Awards.

Clif Gastler Memorial Award: A special award will be given for the Best Bed Sized Quilt hand quilted. In memory of Clif Gastler by the Gastler family. The award will be a Special Ribbon, $50 and a Plaque with the winner’s name permanently displayed in the Department’s Court of Honor.

Susan Burtis Memorial Award: A special award will be given for the Best Quilt that reminds the Parson’s family and the Needlework Committee of Susan Burtis. Susan was a Needlework Committee member for many years and this award is in Loving Memory for her love of Quilts. A Special Ribbon, and a Memorial Bud Vase will be awarded.

Outstanding Exhibitor Award: This award is given in memory of long time Exhibitors Dorothy Pogmore and Shirley Bastura. These sisters have dedicated more than 50 years of entering exhibits in the Needlework Department in crochet and hand knit items. The person who receives this award will demonstrate a love of those two categories.

Association of Connecticut Fairs Quilt Contest, Local Contest: The winner of the quilt contest will receive a white ribbon from the Association of Connecticut Fairs and will become eligible to submit their entry to the state contest. Categories:

1. Hand: Applique
2. Pieced: Machine Quilted
3. Pieced: Hand

Sweepstakes Award: A Sweepstakes rosette ribbon and a plate will be awarded to the exhibitor with the highest number of points

• First Place: 5 points
• Second Place: 2 points
• Third Place: 1 point
• Honorable Mention: 0 points
• Special: 7 points
• Best of Show: 10 points

After the Storm Art Bra Show Award: A Special Ribbon, and a Memorial Bud Vase will be awarded to the winner in this category. Also the winner will be guaranteed a spot in the Art Bra Runway Show in August 2023 where the bra will be auctioned to raise money for breast cancer survivors.

Community Service Category

The Durham Fair Needlework Department received an Award of Distinction for Competitive Exhibits for this unique class in 2017. This is an International Recognition from the International Association of Fairs and Expositions (IAFE). The IAFE Competitive Exhibits contest provides fairs with a unique collaboration experience, allowing them to critique competitive exhibits while strengthening that vital aspect of fairs, internationally. We have donated hundreds of items through this category to support local charities and we are gracious for your support.

New to community service this year is a zipped bag that will be donated to the Hole In The Wall Gang Camp. These bags along with pillowcases were featured in a series of sewing classes this spring on the fairgrounds. The classes were led by members of the American Sewing Guild and sponsored by the Durham Fair Foundation. The classes were such a success that more classes will be featured in 2023.

The Needlework Department will again feature the “Quilt of Valor Quilt Block.”

• The Quilt of Valor Quilt Book will be used by QOV State Coordinators to help fill outstanding requests for a Quilt of Valor not covered by local groups and will ease the waiting list of requests.
• The Durham Fair Quilt Blocks will be used at the State Quilt Contest in November to make a Quilt for a deserving Service Member or Veteran who has been touched by war.
• This year’s Block is Floating Churn Dash Quilt Square. Click here for Instructions.

In addition, we will continue to collect items for cancer patients, homeless, veterans, and children in crisis. This includes chemo caps, art bras, prayer/serenity shawls, lap blankets, hats, mittens, scarves, socks, and pillows. Please consider making an item to enter in this year’s fair, or get together with friends, church groups, or community organizations and donate them. We will be collecting them and displaying them at the fair and then distributing them to local charities that support this effort. Although an exhibitor can enter only one item per category, participants in our drive can donate as many items as they want.

Challenge Class

This year’s Challenge Class for each major category is “Fall Harvest”

Association of Connecticut Fairs Quilt Contest

Sponsored by The Association of Connecticut Fairs and the Durham Agricultural Fair Association. Visit the Quilt Contest page at ctagfairs.org for complete categories, rules, prizes, judging criteria and information on the State Quilt Contest.

TABLE OF CATEGORIES

Contacts

• Debbie Bellemare
  Superintendent
  29 David Rd.
  Durham, CT 06422
  860-395-7125
  [email protected]
• Susan D’Orvelliers
  Asst. Superintendent
• Leslie Ozols
  Asst. Superintendent

Committee

• Carrie Bellemare
• Michelle Bellemare
• Laureen Cannata
• Pam Carey
• Debbie George
• Roberta Hamelin
• Lori Helmedach
• Carol Herzig
• Mary Jane Parsons
• Briana Jewczyn
• Matt Jewczyn
• Renee Kelley
• Shirley Lagerstrom
• Margaret Lang
• Jeanne MacDonald
• Christine Montgomery
• Irene Parsons
• June Porter
• Maura Ryan
• Carol Surprenant
• Pat Walker