As far a judging goes, it also depends on the show.The International is much different than a local guild show, International is really strict. I just saw a handquilted piece at a large California guild show that was beautiful. It was a design on muslin no piecing. Her stitches almost looked like machine they were so even. She had a lot of crosshatching. I found an area where she missed about an inch, many did not catch it, leave it to me. She still got a blue ribbon, which she deserved, I have neve seen such beautiful hand quilting.