TypewriterMice

Hi! So I am fairly new to quilting but I am actually sewing and teaching sewing full time. I have a lot of experience designing and sewing artistically. I am usually the youngest person around most events and shops that I teach in. This was actually the first quilt show I have entered OR attended!

So I decided to enter an art quilt in my local show, and mostly from looking online at art quilts - my idea seemed to fit well!

But apparently some people, maybe just the judges, were not very happy with my “quilt”… and walking around I could kind of see why? I have the following questions if everyone could help me out I would really appreciate it. I don’t know if this is usual or if I should keep entering quilt shows in the future.

First question- is there an unwritten rule that every quilt has to be a rectangle or square? Mine was the only one in the entire show that didn’t have 4x 90 degree corners- even in the art category!! Is this normal? Mine is a multi sided irregular polygon that follows the lines created in the design. It’s large at about 50”x50”. But I was super disappointed to see a single printed photo panel that was longarmed (no binding, it was turned) in my category won an artistic merit ribbon, but apparently they said mine isn’t a “real” quilt bc it’s not a square?

Second question - my quilt is also the only one I saw with 3d elements. Basically it’s a portrait and I made “clothes” for the person so his shirt collar & buttons, and necktie stick out off the quilt. But everything is very well attached. Is this not acceptable either? There were no written rules about any of this, but someone said the judges may not have approved of that either.

Third question, and really the point of the post!
I met so many people at the show (that I didn’t know) who absolutely loved it and said they were shocked I didn’t get any recognition (there were tons of ribbons at this show). They all encouraged me to enter it into a national show like QuiltCon, but even looking at their galleries …. Again, all I’m seeing is squares and rectangles. I’m worried my “art quilt” may be more suited to art shows than quilt shows!!! Does anyone know of a show that may be more open to a quilt like this? I’m so proud of my quilt and I really want to pursue art quilting and find a likeminded group!!

Overall I guess I’m disappointed in what “art” quilting really is vs. my expectations from what I saw online and even the rules/description for the category . I made a quilt, it has a backing, batting, top, FMQ, binding, piecing, and appliqué. So I’m not sure where the “real” part comes in? Based on what I was already told about the judging of it- I won’t ask for the notes since I don’t want to be any more discouraged!! I’m more than happy with it and it’s my art, but maybe it’s just not something I should enter in any quilt shows again.

thank you!! ❤️