i just entered a quilt show (very small!) and the main thing, apparently, was the theme of the quilt. Many of them were not so well made but the work that went in to them was loving and plenty!! the viewers choice was SO ugly - nothing on it matched. it was a panel with several borders - none of which matched the panel OR each other. but it's what the viewers liked - it had a religious theme to it. the winner - first place - was actually an afghan - US flag. my son was less than kind when describiing the other quilts ( he IS biased!!) i did get third place...