There are a lot of reasons for people to wish to enter a quilt contest....one is professional validation that can be a selling point. But for me, I validate my own work. I really don't need someone else to do that. Most people do not understand how your creativity has been influenced and have a shallow background in art, design and color at best. Binding does set the quilt off, but it is not the most important part of the quilt. I really can't imagine someone going on and on admiring binding!