I have not entered any quilts in shows. Locally we have guild shows, as well as the local fall fairs. I love to see the various quilts at all levels of ability.
One quilt I particularly loved in a show, had mismatched seams, cut off points and the quilting lines were not smooth. So why did I love it? The use of colour was incredible and I have huge respect for anyone who puts their work out there. That as many shows do had a viewers choice vote. I was more than happy to cast my ballot for this quilt.
Our local fall fair has 40 different categories in the quilting section. If someone has their quilt professionally quilted (quilted by cheque), they go into a separate category and must name the quilter. There are categories for quilted by one person on a domestic machine and another for on a long arm machine. I think there are enough categories both for construction, size and quilting method to allow anyone to enter a quilt and perhaps have a chance of a prize.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/69q2zg3y6j...logue.pdf?dl=0
If I enter a quilt in a show, it will be just for the thrill of seeing it hanging in public.
At Quilt Canada 2018 there was a Judge's choice category. There were three judges and each chose a very different quilt as their judges choice.