I entered one of those contests at a local quilt shop. We had to use certain fabric but could add some of our own material. The goal was to make 100 different blocks and use them all. I made a queen sized quilt and quilted it myself. Some folks made smaller projects but submitted them anyway. The winner did make a full sized quilt but had it quilted by a professional. In all honesty....I really think my quilt was in contention for the prize and I had done it all myself. The quilt who won had the most popular votes. What can I say. Anyway. I learned a lesson, that these types of contests are really a sales marketing ploy by the shop owner to sell more product and a popularity contest based on who you will have vote for you. It has very little to do with the actual quality of your work. And unlike a real quilt show, you do not get any feedback from professional judges on how to improve your work in the future. But I did enjoy the process of making the quilt using fabrics and a pattern outside of my usual and I did gift the quilt to my nephew and his wife who have chosen to use it in their guest bedroom.