Did she say she was a "master quilter" rather than quilt master. I read in a magazine about classes you can take to become a "master quilter" but don't remember what magazine it was in!!!

My grandchildren think I'm a Quilt Master, good enough for me even though my quilts wouldn't make it in the door of a quilt show. But they are wonderful for making a fort & throwing on the grass for a picnic.

At some quilt shows, if you have won a first place ribbon at another show, your entry has to be in the master quilter category, i.e., you are competing against other quilters who have won first place somewhere. There are lots of problems with that rule, but that might be what she meant. froggyintexas

After having read this thread, I find myself chuckling .... To those who hold these titles, I am sure it means a lot ... but really:???

"quilt master" (small letters) or

Master Quilter

and being accepted as a member into NQA

(If not accepted, is there a National Quilters' Association Court of Appeals?)

and then named as one of the "NQA Certified Master Quilt Judges" ......

Do we ever get as high as Supreme Master Quilt Judge? ......

Who appoints the people to these levels (you've answered the basic Master Quilter thing ... but what about these other levels?) .... and after Supreme Master Judge, would we finally get to someone higher? .... maybe God?

From a by-stander's view, this is rather silly....

Americans seem to be overly competitive these days ..... in EVERY area of life! What's the point?

When it comes to my hobby, competition means an abundance of concentrated pressure .... not simple, leisurely-pleasant productive use of one's time.

Yes, some people have made a lucrative career within the quilting community .... and I can only think: what would grandmother say to that? ....probably: " God Bless 'em"

To me, all of this is too reminiscent of Dr. Seuss's "Star-Bellied Sneetches" ..... ever read it? It's a hoot.

Depending on the context of the original statement, perhaps "quilt master" was apt .... I can't tell if it was said matter-of-factly, snootily, overly-stressed, or just-in-passing ..... If it had been said to me, I would have asked her to explain the term -- perhaps she had some greater knowledge to impart that may not have occured to me.

But since you brought up the subject, we have all been better informed about NQA. Thanks....

See if her name is here:

http://nqaquilts.org/master/list.php

This is a VERY short list of quilters. To be on this list would be a huge honor since it looks as though they award that title to one or two quilters a year, and some years none get that title.

I agree. I once had a friend who was, well, everything. Because she decorated a room in her home, she was a decorator, etc..That IS snotty to designate herself a master. Never knew there was such a designation..
I will then consider myself a master-in-training.I don't think you can ever learn enough so I will always be in training and learning.

I wouldn't be offended if some one said that. I am a master quilter too. Still trying to master quilting. It sounds to me like she is really into quilting. I don't know in what context it was said. Ofcourse if she was snooty about it it could be offensive but then if she was snooty and did not use the term master quilter, I would still think it rude.

If it is the same to quilting as a master gardener is to gardening, I am not impressed. I have a friend who is a master gardener and she is forever asking little ole me for my advice.

if it takes 10,000 hours to become a "master" at anything, then i am old enough to be a master at life, marriage, raising children, being a grandma, being a nurse, being an anesthetist, writing poetry, cooking, baking, and even quilting--just by seniority. oh--i forgot to add master at eating chocolate, reading on the sly, folding laundry, playing the accordion/piano/guitar/harmonica, and hoarding fabric.

hey! i'm getting good at this! and to the quilters who have achieved a "masterpiece quilt"--i salute you. i will probably never reach that level of excellence. and i'm too busy living life to ever even consider taking the time to dedicate to that "one" project. you have my undying respect and admiration.

That is a very short list. IMO most of the master quilters out there just haven't submitted a quilt to this organization for judging-and there are many of them. They've made masterpieces, but don't care about titles.