Depends on the judges too. I enter my hand pieced, hand quilted Texas Lone Star at our show last year and got a page back with it showing either a check- or check +. I know my quilts need work, not a professinal, but I actually got a check + on everything but the binding. LOL I knew that was coming. I probably deserved less than the check-.ROFL. IMHO they were very nice to me. My first quitl show too. NO big prize but it was exciting to see my quilt there.