Happens in our small town ALL of the time!

I'm not qualified to judge a quilt show, but I have served as judge at speech contests, headline writing contests and other UIL contests. My daughter's piano students compete at contests each year just as she did when she was a student. I have learned that a whole lot of judging is purely subjective and has little or nothing to do with the merits of the work. On another day, with other judges, your quilts might have won best in show.

The only question you have to answer is this: "Do I think these quilts are beautiful and did I love making them?" If the answer is "Yes," put this experience down to--well--a not so positive experience and go on with glory in your heart.
froggyintexas

yes this has happened to me, i entered 3 quilts , one got first place and another the judge had told me my binding was to big for the size of the quilt and on the other i was told that my FMQ thread should of matched the color of my backing fabric , the back was white and my thread was red, but i thought it was cool looking! that was 4 years ago i was mad at first but then i realized it was for own good to learn from my mistakes because the following year i worked on those things and walked away with a first place and a second place in our state fair

i forgot to mention i was told the judges really look at the binding and are picky about how well it is put on

I think its all in the eye out the beholder and when you enter any judged show or competition you have to have your big girl britches on because you don't know what you are going to get as far as criticism and put the positive spin on it that we are always learning and getting better.

That is why I don't enter my stuff. I keep forgetting for every finger that is pointed at me, three are being pointed back at the person being critical. Your avatar is beautiful.

Maybe the Quilt Police live in small towns. I know there was one in the town where I used to live.

Yup yup. My first and last quilt show that I entered was like that. I spent so many hours matching points, and I think they were pretty good - judges said they were awful, and the rest of my quilt was okay. Very disappointing, but just made me realize I don't care what anyone else thinks and I don't enter quilt shows now

Quilt Police are in our own heads and keep us from enjoying what we do when we listen to them. What you need to do is stop listening to them! :thumbup:

I'm a utilitarian quilter so would never be entering any of them in a quilt show but, if I did, would take it as constructive criticism and just try to improve my skills. Never been one to compete against others because there's always someone out there better than me but I enjoy competing against myself. Each quilt is just a little bit better than my last one.

I read what they have to say and if I can use it to improve - do so.
If it sounds like they missed the object of my quilt and did not understand it at all - do not listen.

I haven't been quilting very long, and heaven knows mine are not the best, but if I were to enter a quilt in a show I would look at it as a learning experience. Whatever the judges criticized about mine, I would go and work on that particular aspect of it and hope to improve my quilting in the long run. It's hard to see your own shortcomings but are able to understand them when someone else points them out to you. You can't be thin-skinned if you really want to learn how to improve yourself.
All that said, your quilts are beautiful. Now take their advice and work on your binding. Your next one will be perfect because of this.
Best of luck in the next show!

I agree! I won a ribbon once and my husband keeps asking me why I don't enter another quilt. I answer him by saying that it kills the fun out of sewing for me. I've realized years later that I never really needed the validation.

I had the same comment on a quilt. One I entered, the binding was done by someone else, another entered was my binding. The other binding quilt took second and mine did not even place. Did you sew the corners on your binding? The slit 90 has to be tacked down for show quilts. Were you sure to measure randomly around and that it was all equal? I have entered quilts very often. Mine have even made the top 50 on Hoffman Challenge. I enter quilt contests to see how well I am doing so I take the judge comments to heart. They can be cruel, but use them constructively. My bindings have improved enough now that I generally get a 9 or 10 on them. There are a couple of books out that help with suggestions on show quilts if you decide to keep going on. Also, small towns do not always get qualified judges for all categories of judging. Keep putting them in the shows though.

You would find if you were a stranger the comments would be more favourable. Sometimes when they know a person the criticisms come out. Go figure. Bet your quilt was gorgeous and would love to see it posted.

I use to do show riding, and won many prizes, including major ones, but if I was not one of the judges 'favourites' or they didn't like my horse, I won nothing. Don't worry about it, I am sure your quilts are excellent, it just was not your day.

Typically judges do not know the name of any quiltmaker whose work they are judging...unless it's a world famous quilt. The names are covered before the judges ever see the quilts. Additionally, if a judge has any personal knowledge of a quilt, he is supposed to recuse himself from judging it. To imply that a judge would unduly criticize a quilt because he knew the maker is ridiculous.

I have never entered anything either...that being said, I am sure I would also be "flustered" but, please don't let anyone else's criticisms make you feel bad about your quilting or any other ability. If criticism is constructive, and asked for (as in the case of entering a judging show) then it should be taken as what it is, suggestions and another person's opinion...that is all it is, though!! I just hate to see anyone question themselves over another persons opinion...so, please just chalk it up to that, and keep making the beautiful quilts that you love making!!
Regards,
Kif

Binding is the FIRST thing the judges look at. There are so many beautiful quilts that that sometimes is the big difference in the outcome.! If the binding has even one little fault in it, they eliminate the whole quilt right away. Look at Sharon Schambers "Quilting the Angel" parts 1,2, and 3. Congratulations on even being brave enough to enter! You show 'em. Make a quilt of ONLY bindings next time!!!

never had the confidence to enter one of mine, I KNOW where all the mistakes are, lol. sorry that happened to you tho, please dont let it keep you from entering other shows.

Haven't ever entered a quilt...have been to several shows, one very large, couple midsize...and one very small here in TX...the smaller the show, the more critical they are...and biased...like they know a quilter, and no matter what else...that quilt gets the biggest prize ($7.00), but still.

I think that some of the really larger shows do have to look at every little detail...so many near perfect quilts...you have to find a way to eliminate some.

But, for those smaller shows...I also think the judges are trying to show they are good at what they do.

Don't take it to heart. Look at what they said...sit back, quilt in hand...were they correct, had it not been your quilt, would you have seen the same things on the binding?

I don't know that I'll ever enter a quilt in a show, large or small...I may...but just not sure...mainly for the fact that I know my quilts aren't perfect...I make quilts because I want to try a new pattern, technique...and usually not the most perfect. Others tell me they are..but I am just aware that judges are very picky (have to be) ...and if I see my faults...they probably will also.

One thing I hate...to see a less than perfect quilt (and not as pretty) win over a beautiful quilt because of one tiny thread left, etc...but mostly because the first quilt is by a friend or guild member...or is just more local. If you are going to judge...I think it should be done in a blind judging session...and if you see a quilt and KNOW who made it...excuse yourself from commenting on that quilt.

judges remarks should be limited to the facts about the quilt that would help improve future quilting. Judging is objective so if one doesn't like a particular style of quilt, you may be in for some critical remarks. no matter how neutral they try to be.

don't be discouraged. Use the info you got to improve on future projects.
peace :thumbup:

EDIT: I keep entering contests just to make everyone else look good!

Sorry about your exper. I did enter a quilt show once and was given the choice to have a Prof. Judge , judge it or just the public voting. I am not perfect and do know I will never be so just let the public choose which they like. I wonderd through the show and just pict what I like. Some people are vendictive and only pick their friends. There are 2 factions in the Guild I belong to and Some members think they are it(upperclass)$500.00 millionairs and the rest of us-just plain folk that like to quilt and have fun. So it is a challange to do things their. The uppers gossip and cause lots of trouble in all kinds of ways; incl those that own :inhome shops)stores or Gammel quilting machine that are computerized. Quilting itself is another subject. Stay loose kid and you are not alone, their are alot of us out here. Consider yourself hugged,

I've only entered twice. and each time it's like steping off the side of a building!

Take a step back. Put the comments away for a couple of weeks. Work on another project. Then take the comments out and read them again. See what honestly applies and what doesn't. What you thiink applies. Learn from what does apply and ignore the rest. But for goodness sake never let those comments make you doubt yourself! Remember the only person you need to please is yourself!

No to the same experience...but I think your quilts are just beautiful. And like the group said, their comments aren't designed to tear your heart out (though they can..), make you feel insecure (again, though they can...)or just generally hurt your feelings. They're designed to HELP us all learn...I guess in a sense, the judges ARE the "quilt police". I'd like to encourage you to take the criticism in a constructive manner...
anything more you do to your quilts can only make them more spectacular than they already are!

You are just living through a visit by the quilt police. We think you are terrific even before you show us your quilts. My 'masterpiece quilt', that gets raves when I show it to friends, has a very obviously crooked area in the binding. I had a small seizure while trimming. Quilt police would call it trash, but my nieces are fighting over who get it when I am gone. Nothing a judge would say about it, would be as big a thrill as having my DNs fighting over it. (I am making each of them a quilt of their own, they just don't get to know that, until they unwrap them.) Whose opinion should matter more?

I've also never entered a judged show but I have heard comments from those that have that the judges made 2 positive comments for 1 critical one.... did your judges give any positive feedback?

We need to know what we did right/good as well as where we can improve.

It wasn't that the comments about the binding hurt my feelings. It was just that I had hoped for some constructive criticism on my design or quilting or artistic style. I don't feel hurt by all they said but I do hate for creativity to count less than binding.

Maybe where you're from, but not everywhere! froggyintexas

I am a new quilter and am not experienced enough to enter anything I do in a contest. I do however allow the quilting club I am in to tell me what I need to work on, be it binding etc. Because I don't have a quilting machine and have to do do everything quilting by hand I don't enter contests. I attended a quilt show in the Northwest last year and they did not have one hand quilted item in the expo. So I know I just love doing my story quilts and enjoy seeing other quilters encourage and that is enough for me. Just enjoy doing what you do. One day someone will ogle over your quilts.

Have a look to see if the criticism is correct and see if you can learn anything from it. One of the best improvements I made was when a prominent judge made criticism of my work and took me aside to talk to me about what I should have done. It has been easier to do and more attractive to look at ever since. Take it as a learning curve and not a put - down. All the best for your future efforts.

I am a quilter and I also judge both 4-H and open class at county and state fair here in oregon. One of things that has been stresses to the judge is to make two positive remarks for every negative one. Sometimes it is hard to do, but mostly it is very easy to do and softens the criticism. Just wish it was stressed more everywhere.

It's hard to take criticism. I'm sure they said what they did so you could improve. If they didn't say anything and you didn't win anything you might wonder why and you wouldn't be able to work on improving. With their comments you can work to improve upon what was commented on if you are trying to attain "perfection" in your quilting. If you were just wanting others to see your work I'm sure lots admired your work and might have even wondered why yours didn't win. I've thought that before of some I thought were prettier than the one that won when looking at all the quilts at the fair. Have a good cry if it will make you feel better then tomorrow look at the comments and ask yourself what you can do to improve for next time if you want to enter again. If all they found fault with was the binding that's really pretty good. Are there books you haven't read or videos you haven't watched? Is there a class to take? What do all these and the comments have in common and how can you attain it? Try not to take it too personally. Remember you at least had the guts to enter one and I doubt if very many if any ever win their first time entering.

I have found that alot of small town quilt shows want to be big time. The judging is all the opinion of who is judging. I got upset once about a remark made about my quilt and I was informed it was a "learning" experience.. I learned one thing. The judge thought her quilting was suprerior to everyone else's. I do agree that you do learn something every time you have a quilt judged, but I think it should be done in a nice way. The small town that I was referring to is having a hard time getting enough quilts in the show because the judgeing was so critical. Some small town judges think they are judging in Paducah or Houston... LOL IMO

Sharon Shamber has a excellent video on u tube on how to apply binding. She glues it, but it looks perfect when she is done.

When I was a teenager, I rode horses in competition, hunter/jumper. When I grew up, I competed in conformation and obedience with my dogs.

I learned a lot from competing. One thing I learned is that there is no way for a competitor to complain about the judging without making themselves look worse than the judge.

Another thing I learned is that it is not my personality or my personal worth being judged. The judge's opinion is based on one brief look at a tiny slice of my life, so how can their opinion possibly represent any sort of general judgment on me? The judge's opinion represents one person's opinion on what I presented, no more, no less.

If I start to feel defensive, that's my clue that in some way I am mentally going off track and I need to figure out what it is and fix it. It might be my ego (which I have to go in with a chair and bullwhip to fight back sometimes!). It might be my general stress level (I tend to react to stress with denial and piling on more stress because if I'm not stressed, then surely I can take more stress!).

Whatever it is, for the good of all the people who love me and have to live with me, I have to fix it ASAP.

Thank you. I like how you look at it. I am going to take this grain of salt for my own.

Judges can say some pretty idiotic things at times too. I entered a wall hanging in a county fair and one of the judges mark downs was because you could see the background thru one of the fabrics. It really irritated me because I had hunted and hunted for a fabric that had the right sheen and was thin enough you COULD see the background thru it since it was the glass chimney of an oil lamp. Duh, you're supposed to see thru it!!

I can understand how you feel. My girlfriends put their quilts in the county fair one year and ended up terribly upset. They had comments about their bindings and even one of their quilt was told that it really wasn't a quilt. (It was a ragtime quilt). The judges pinned the comments on their quilts and everyone who viewed the quilts could see the comments.

Don't let the judges' comments stop you from showing. Do it proudly. Us quilters, our family and friends think they are great!!!!