How are quilts judged in a show?
 

Hi, I'm hoping to enter a quilt in a show for the first time this year. I wanted to last year but it just didn't work out! I've posted the black and white quilt on here before. It is currently in que to be quilted *Charismah from the board is doing it!!! I'm so excited*
I was wondering if anyone would know what the judges look for when judging a quilt? I'm pretty sure it will be submitted no matter what but would like a rough idea if my piecing will be up to par! By no means do I expect to place, there are far to many people more experienced at quilting and probably entering more complicated patterns. I am very proud of this quilt and getting more excited about it by the min.
The quilt show is in Shipshewana, IN. June 21-23 (Yea it hits my birthday again!!!) I've been to their webpage already and have the application printed out. I called to ask but the lady I talked to didn't know about the judging just the entry info and about the festival in general, she was a great help and really nice.

Thanks for any info you have, I and am sure others on here really appreciate it!
Mal

I am by no means an expert. I have only entered 2 quilts in a juried/judged show. I think it varies from show to show, there is no one universal standard. Judges will offer constructive advice so don't worry, they won't be acting all quilt police on you. They do want to see intersections that match up and points are not chopped or cut off. For binding they like for the mitered corner to be sewn shut. Here are comments I got on one of my quilts, Green Fairy (my Longarm quilter) and I won 3rd place ribbon with it.

What an explosion of color and value
Chevron border effectively frames the action
Generally very good piecing technique. Some unsecured seams and chopped points noted
Generally good quilting technique, tails should be trimmed
Quilting designs are effectively placed
Bindings are secure however edges should run straight

Here is a link a picture of the quilt that these comments refer to:
http://www.quiltingboard.com/picture...a-t160708.html

Good luck and have fun! It is always so exciting to see your own quilt hanging up in a show.

They look at the quilting to make sure it compliments the quilt. I knew one judge who hated all over meander quilting. Quilting should be uniform. Borders should lie flat and be straight and square. They look for even binding.

Judges are not uniform. One show I saw had a jusging form including:
Overall impression
Use of color/value
Complexity of design
Quilting complements design and is uniform...This does not mean you can't leave appliques unquilted, for example.
Technical quality This includes square corners, binding even with no gaps in stitching, with mitered corners, all corners/points correct, overall flat surface. The simpler the quilt, the more perfect it has to be. No loose threads.
Not all judges consider originality.

Someone I know who is a professional quilter had a quilt disallowed in one show then it won best of division in another large show. If the judge likes your work, well and good. If not, remember that is one person's opinion. Not all shows critique quilts. My guild's show has open judging. I have learned a great deal by listening to judges' statements (and recording them for the makers). If you are allowed to observe the judging, do so.

I think the Shipshewana show is juried, so try and submit good photos. The photos should show the entire quilt, preferably with no hands and feet (!), and not be skewed if you can manage it. They'll probably ask for a detail shot - I always try and make sure I pick a section that doesn't have cat hair or missed points and big stitches...If you don't have good photos, enter anyway! My husband shot pictures of one of my quilts lying on the floor, and it still got into a few shows.

The judges will look at how accurately you pieced the top, whether the quilting compliments the top, if the quilt hangs straight and flat, with square corners. Their comments will be helpful, not harsh.

The best part of entering a show is seeing your quilt hanging with the others. It's addictive!

Good luck.

Janet

At our guild's quilt show our judges will award points on general appearance, design, use of color, construction & quilting, quality of construction, quality of quilting, and degree of difficulty. It is then up to the judges to determine how many points would be first place. We go over the form the judges use with our guild members prior to the show so they can understand what the judges will be given to use for judging. We then also offer a judges walk through to people who enter quilts were the judges discuss what they were thinking or explain what potential comments might mean that individuals recieved.

Thank you all so much for the info!!! Entering a judged show doesn't seem so bad. I can't wait to see if it's accepted or not..... well after I enter it. Entry deadline is May first so after Charasma works her magic and I see if I can manage it bind it accordingly we shall see :)

I second what a previous poster said....remember, whatever the outcome, it is just one judge's opinion on one particular day of the week! That was always what we reminded our children when they were in 4H regardless of whether they were showing hogs or sheep or sewing, foods, or fashion review! Good luck with your quilt show entry!