Originally Posted by
dunster
I don't think the term "quilted to death" is fair. It automatically assumes that the quilting is ruining the quilt. You say that you've "heard" that these quilts are stiff, but that has not been my experience, if a good batting is used, the quilting is done with thinner threads and backtracking is minimized. I see no reason for quilting to weaken the quilt fibers, anymore than lots of piecing would weaken them. And more quilting does hold the quilt together so that if some threads do break, others are there to do the job. I love to look at creative quilting that adds new depth to a quilt while complementing the piecing. Also many of the quilts at the bigger shows are more works of art than coverings for beds.
I actually did not get a negative vibe from the term "quilted to death" and I did not assume that said quilting ruined a quilt. I think this is a statement that many people would say because it is descriptive of what is going on in the quilt judging world right now. The more extreme the quilting, the higher the placement, it seems. Many of these quilts are not intended for beds, they are pieces of art, and as such have maximized the quilters quilting abilities. Why not? It's their quilt and intended for competition. My jaw drops when I see the lovely work in some of these quilts. Some amazing stuff, nothing I aspire to, but I'm also not interested in breaking out the oils and doing a painting. Same thing. Different medium.