State fair entries
 

I'm thinking about entering a quilt in next year's AZ state fair. Would be my first ever. I've heard that there aren't usually many entries in the hand quilting section. I hand quilt, but I prefer big stitching. Any input on that topic? Do judges snub big stitching? I also am thinking about what would be eye catching. I Will do something original, not a bought pattern or copy someone else. Might have to go this year and see what the entries are like.

No big stitching category, just hand quilting.

Just be. Sure you work in the accepted criteria for big stitch.

Wishing you the best of luck.

I worked in our az county fair and we didn't have a separate categorie.

Enter it. Get the feedback from the Judge. The Judge should not give small stitches priority over big stitches. When judging, the Judge should be looking at consistand length of the stitch and does the stitch go through the back consistantly. Density of the quilting, choice of their quilting motif, to give you a few pointers. Local guilds, county and state fairs are a great place to start entering competitive quilt shows. Good luck!
Ellen

Me too! Seriously considering entering the Iowa St Fair for the first time or any competition for that matter. Good Luck in your endeavors!!

Faintly, I've loved seeing your work. Hope you can enter!

Thanks SusieQOH, I have until next September...surely I can come up with something!

Big stitch is a form of hand quilting. It is widely accepted now. Just be sure the sts are straight and even.

Also....get all the information about entries and categories and how the quilts are judged. It would also be interesting to know how they select judges and the judging criteria.

You betcha! That's a whole year of great ideas :)

I've entered the NC State Fair numerous times and there are always a lot of entries in the various categories. My bargello won Honorable Mention and last year Blooming Nine Patch won The Golden Needle Award. Two years ago an original design that was spectacular didn't win anything. I believe it's just who likes what on any given day.