Some judges really have built in quilt bias. I worked with a judge at our local fair where there were some outstanding quilts entered. If the quilt had a pieced back or the quilter had seamed the quilt back down the middle, she automatically set it aside and didn't even look any further. She also had a strong personal preference for pastel colours and almost shuddered at the lime green, purple, charcoal gray combo which was absolutely gorgeous and had been the Judge's choice at our quild quilt show. New show, new judge, entirely different results. Keep entering!