I helped with the judging at the fair a few times. The first thing our judge did was check to see if they were square. Any thing that wasn't square was rejected for any ribbons. Then she looked at the piecing, applique, embroidery and quilting. Any thing that didn't measure up was rejected. Then she very closely inspected binding. Those that passed all of those tests were then judged on color and fabric choices. Basically she judge every thing on the technical aspects and then used artistic aspects to determine winners.