If she refers to it as "her masterpiece" that sounds to me like it's the way she wants it. If she asked for your advice about the backing, or if you were only discussing the quilting aspect of the piece, that's one thing. She chose the backing she wanted and if you put doubts in her mind and she changed it, then the change worked against her, you'd be the bad guy. Just my opinion, unless she seems unhappy with what she has, leave it be.

I'd have to agree with most everyone here. It is her choice of backing, so I would just quilt it the way she wants it and let it be. I've never sent a quilt out to be quilted, but if I did and they were to say something about my backing, I would hesitate to use them again. Quilts really are a personal work of art, just like any other medium. I wouldn't tell a painter what colors to use in their art, so I guess I wouldn't tell another quilter what backing to use either.

I'm not trying to be snotty at all, so I'm sorry if it came out that way! Just my opinion! :D :D

Whatever you decide to do, good luck!

I would mind my own business and not say anything. She picked the backing and isn't paying you to critique her selection or piecing. Just get her done:>

What about this approach ...

Hey this is Crazyquilter, and I now just how important Masterpiece is to you so I am just confirming that the floral backing is the one you chose for this quilt and you want XXX quilting.

Then let her guide the conversation.

This way you know that the floral blacking was indeed her choice and if there is a problem it can be fixed. Plus it is just one more opportunity to confirm you will provide the services she wants.

Fair judges here are very elderly ladies and they look at the binding first, then if any points are cut off, non matching seams etc. Color and fabric choice are not a factor, it's all in the sewing. All Fair judges I have known are very biased when it comes to selecting what they consider is a winning quilt. Here the same type wins every year.

I just recently judged at our very small County Fair, and one of the criteria was "Does the backing complement the quilt?" So the backing does come under some scrutiny.

At our Fair, the judges do indeed take into consideration whether the backing compliments the front of the quilt. They will usually use that as a way of cutting down the competition in each division. So I would ask her if she might not have another choice for a backing. Even a solid color might be a better choice.

if she sent it with the top then it is her choice.

A big sincere "Thank You" to all who responded to my request for advice. I think I was trying to push too much of my own preferences in to this one, which truly, I usually don't. I decided to keep my big mouth shut, as most advised, and just get it done! I finished quilting it yesterday, took some pictures of it and will try to get them posted. Thanks again for taking time to answer me! :thumbup:

I would say just quilt the quilt as she intended, and let the judges do their thing.
In any case, she will have the quilt she put her heart into.
Besides, it often happens anyway that the "best" quilt in a show is not the top winner.