Binding is the FIRST thing the judges look at. There are so many beautiful quilts that that sometimes is the big difference in the outcome.! If the binding has even one little fault in it, they eliminate the whole quilt right away. Look at Sharon Schambers "Quilting the Angel" parts 1,2, and 3. Congratulations on even being brave enough to enter! You show 'em. Make a quilt of ONLY bindings next time!!!