I agree, it can be frustrating and that is why I am determined to learn how to quilt my own quilts. A few years ago I made a quilt for my sons wedding gift. I designed it, did some hand applique on it, it is definitely one of my best. I would put it up against some very good quilts at some big shows. BUT, because I couldn't afford to have it custom quilted for several hundred dollars like someone else with equal piecing skills, might, I could only afford a basic inexpensive design. Mine would never win, and if what gave the other quilt the winning votes was the quilting, why does the piercer get the award? It doesn't seem fair that because one person can afford to pay an award winning quilter to quilt their top that they should win. Their own skills should be what is judged. I don't loose sleep over this, because I don't make quilts just to win a prize, I make them because I love doing it. Even if I could afford to pay a lot for great quilting, I don't like the fact that it isn't my creation from start to finish, as I said earlier, this has made me want to learn FMQ sooner rather than later.