Quilt show comments--my comments are in ( )

Kayak on the Lake:
*Dramatic visual image
*Good transition of color—works very well
*Center focus area (ie) darker colors are slightly off on left side (I’d have to go stare at the quilt to figure this out)
*You would benefit by careful piecing with points in the center in some small areas (oh yeah—those triangles gave me some trouble lol)
*Well done.

Civil War Tribute
*Strong graphic image
*Pattern set in column format is very exquisite
*Colors are harmonious
*Choice of border fabric works well with overall quilt
*A change of quilting pattern using 2 styles would make the piece even more exciting (the woman I sat next to as we waited to pick up quilts thought this meant to have a different quilting pattern in the border. She said if a border is more than 3” it should have different quilting. I’d never heard this—interesting. I’m not sure what I would have picked for a CW quilt—supposed to be very simple)
*Well done

Watercolor Floral
*Outstanding visuals
*Amazing use of florals
*Mixed with soft colors
*Piece well executed
*Overall quilt pattern very complementary
*Overall visual is distorted because of the center fold. (again, the woman sitting next to me said some store their to-be-judged quilts on those pool noodles—covered with fabric—to keep fold marks out.)
*Beautifully done

Scrappy fall log cabin
*Dramatic graphics
*Wonderful blends with darks and lights
*Placement of orange add an excellent visual image
*Quilting is complementary in overall piece
*Lovely piece
*Centerfold distracting

Garden Lane
*Strong graphic image
*Primary and secondary patterns work well together because of color choices
*Color choices are excellent
*Over quilting lines tend to flatter visuals (I think this is what my quilter always says—do an overall so it doesn’t distract from the pattern. Is that what she means?)
*Piece might have benefitted with a change of quilting patterns (another wider border)
*Well done.


I learned a lot--but I don't think I'll make changes in basic quilts--only if I planned to show more, which I'm not. It's a lot of work! :roll: I'm glad I did it once though!!
I have to say--you gals'/guys' comments told me most of that color stuff. ;)

I never knew fold lines were a big issue. I learned something. Bring an iron:>

Well--we didn't have that option--the quilts had to be folded and placed into pillowcases when delivered--we just handed them over--well, after all the paperwork was done. How they did it was very organized--wonderfully done! But--there would not have been an ironing opportunity. Not that I would have anyway. :lol:

Great job!! You must feel really proud and encouraged.

Thank you for sharing the comments with us. I thought the references to the centre folds a little unfair, given that you were required to fold them prior to delivery. I think the judges should have taken that into consideration.

interesting comments...but you are 'Best in Show' in our books!

Hmmm....I hadn't thought about that center fold thing either Karla. I often do fold mine in thirds though (although the same exact thing happens..so I don't know why I do that). I have to agree with all their compliments about color choices and placement though...you have a great eye.

Well Karla, I saw the pictures of the quilts you were going to enter in the quilt show and I think they were all very, very beautiful! It sounds like the show people thought the same thing! Great job! You should be very proud! I didn't know that the centerfold lines were so distracting either. Then again, I've never entered into a quilt show or even been to one. Congratulations on your show results!

Honestly, I didn't notice a center fold ... fold in the center ... centerfold? Sounds odd...

Truthfully, I still think that yours were among the best there. And to have so many that were so fabulous, where most people had only a couple.

It was a real treat to see Karla's work, and to eavesdrop (just a bit, really!) on some of the many people who were commenting on how beautiful her quilts are. Although the pictures she's shared are inspiring, they don't begin to touch how lovely the quilts are in person.

Phew, I still say you are braver than I am. Much more talented, too! No way would I want anyone critiquing my work. ;)

Yeah, it sounds like folds were unavoidable!

sandpat--I usually fold in thirds too--but folding them to fit in pillowcases with the basted on label showing at the top left few options. (Try that sometime!:lol: )

Thanks, danmar. I liked the comments overall. And I learned more! I was so worried about the bindings and nothing was said about them. Whew! :lol:

Robin--I didn't notice a fold either. I wanted to straighten the floral--it wasn't pulled tight in how it was hung--but I would think just hanging there would make fold lines go away. Shrug.

Aww--thanks Tink's Mom--that's all I need. :-D

interesting, thanks!

Karla, you should be feeling very proud of your quilts...All of the comments were VERY complimentary as they should have been :D:D:D
The fold lines? I would ignore that, they should know better!!! The quilting comments? It is what YOU like that matters :wink:
I am so proud of you for showing them!!! But you already know that we think they are winners :D:D:D

Well, Missy, I knew that your quilts would be well received!! I would have loved to be there to hear all the comments, I know they were wonderful. Overall, I think the judges comments were very favorable. I don't think I would worry about the fold-line thing. Maybe if you were to do it again, use some tissue paper in between where the folds are? Or fold in thirds with the end resting against the other side so it can't lie flat? I'd ask someone who shows regularly what they do. Whether you ever show again or not, knowledge is never wasted. Great job, girlfriend!! We all think you were the best in show, and you know who's opinion is most important, don't you! :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :P :P :P

PS Did the rules specify the size of the pillowcase? I suppose you could always make a custom-sized one if it doesn't! LOL

We had a designer talk at our guild I think from Northcott. And she talked about a batting that doesn`t put crease in folded quilts . As she travels all the time showing her quilts they were not creased.
I don`t kow the name but can find out if you all are interested.
Our quilt store sells it.

Ithink your quilts are true works of art.Your choice of color is wonderful.Thank you for sharing your talent.

Cotton battings are terrible at releasing fold marks, even when hanging. Wool is what I was told to use for show quilts. Congratulations and well done, Karla.

Your quilts were beautiful and deserving of your good comments. On the subject of the folds, one thing I heard about was to make your first fold horizontal to your hanging sleeve, and then when it is hung the weight of the quilt should help take out the fold line. Our guild uses the pillowcase method too, and we ask them to be about 1 1/2 times the folded quilt size to make them much easier to get the quilts in them. But alas, there is no way to not stack them and that increases the fold line.

Congratulations. Had a look at your quilts and they are beautiful.

I think your quilts looked absolutely wonderful. Honestly, their comments on the fold lines sounded a bit nit-picky, almost as if they were reaching to say something negative.

so ... let me get this straight ...

they insist that you turn in your quilts folded up and crammed into pillowcases ...

and then criticize fold lines?!!!!! :shock:

somebody needs to award those judges a Raspberry! :hunf:

For the most part they are all wonderful comments about your quilts. We all think they were the best. Great job.

Congrats!!! You should be so proud. SOme of us can only dream of ever entering a quilt into such a big show. I wish I could copy every picture you wonderful quilters do for inspiration. Unfortunately, I don't think my budget could afford the ink. Looking forward to seeing your work in the future.

I took a Sue Patten class at Paducah. She is one of "The Wild Women of Quilting" along with Karen McTavish. She said if you are making a quilt for shows to use the cheapest poly batting available, it resists all fold lines! I always thought I had to go and purchase the expensive stuff. Who knew?

And it occurred to me that each criticism of the fold specified the "center" fold. So the hint to fold in thirds so that there is no fold in the center is probably the way to go.