I got this quilt out to look it over, considering blocking and binding, etc. and I noticed something. Look at the dark inner border around the center star. When I made it the width of that border had to be pretty exact so that the next row of blocks fit correctly. I drew the line that the row of blocks had to line up with for sewing.

I had gone over and over this top before deciding that I was ready to send it off for quilting and I never realized that I hadn't trimmed the dark border fabric. Now it shows underneath the lighter fabric.

I believe that may be totally unacceptable and maybe I should forget about entering this quilt in any shows.

Please... honest opinions? Is that a show stopper? Should I just be happy with the wonderful quilt it is and forget about showing it?

I know nothing about quilt shows, so I can't say if it is "show worthy". I can say if is beautiful. If you can't show it, I hope you can still love it.

Personally, I think it is a STUNNING quilt and even if it doesn't go into shows, it should be prominantly displayed so that everyone can admire the gorgeous, precise piecing and the superb quilting. Mon Dieu...I wish I had a quilt that looked like that!!

i dont see it. Its is beautiful!

I would let the judges decide. It may not even be noticed. We as quilters notice things noone else sees in our own quilts. The untrimmed dk may go by unnoticed. It is too beautiful not to enter it.

I do see what you are talking about. I have no idea how much it would matter in a show. It may cost you a ribbon.... but it is so incredibly beautiful and worth showing no matter what! So I vote for still entering it. You should be proud, it is a great quilt.

I too would enter it and let the judges decide.

Your fabric choice, design, color, and quilting are exceptional. If you had not pointed out the problem, we would not have noticed or if we had it would not have mattered.

Please... honest opinions? Is that a show stopper? Should I just be happy with the wonderful quilt it is and forget about showing it?
I see what you're talking about. I also think your quilt is beautiful and I think you should at least try to put it in a show. The most they can do is say no thank you and perhaps offer some advice on how to undo that mistake.

You didn't hear? Shadow lines are so 2010!!! It's a great design feature!! I say enter it, can't hurt to try!!! I have never entered a show, so I have no idea what things they look for, but the quilt is too stunning to not at least try!! :) :)

Rachel

I guess I'll never know if I don't enter it. Just that if I'm not going to enter it, I'm not going to wash and block it and sleeve it for hanging.

Lesson learned.... don't do that again.

Did you have this professionally quilted? I would be asking my quilter about this...since I quilt, I can say this :) Most quilters press before the quilting, so this would have been pressed to the border. Certainly we see it before the quilting.

I think it might prevent it from winning a ribbon...sorry to say. But really that would depend upon the show - how large it is. It is a beautiful quilt - and you did an amazing job.

It may be one you end up just enjoying...but on the other hand, if you do enter it once, you'll know based upon the comments. I would have to think twice about the quilter...

Just my thoughts....

So much depends upon a judge's guidelines. From one county fair to another, I have noticed a huge difference of opinion of what constitutes a winner. But without a doubt, I would enter this beautiful workmanship and if there is another quilt that tops your quilt--so be it. Exhibiting and sharing is part of the overall experience of quilting. Good Luck.

I love it and would be proud of it and when I enter
things in shows, I mostly want constructive criticism
so I can improve. I don't take it as a negative
when they tell me something so I would enter it....if
they don't notice, then you know its not a big thing.
Great job!

Unless you are set on getting big prize money, I'd say put it in a show and see. They may notice it, they may not. They may notice it and put you down a notch on your score. But it is so pretty, I would definitely try.

I say show it. It's beautiful and if you hadn't told me where to look I never would have noticed it.

I also would enter it and let the judges decide.

Maybe I'll try my county fair. I'll think about it. I was looking at the AQS show in Knoxville and the special category of the theme of the show, "Galaxy of Stars."

I think this quilt is beautiful. Would you share the name of your longarmer?
I'm afraid the shadow may well cost you a ribbon, and that's a tragedy. I know if you enter a large show they will spot that right off. You know how they are about even a stray thread that shows through.
Don't be disheartened though. This quilt looks like an heirloom to me.
'Just a thought...have you thought about just naming the quilt something like "Faint Blue Line"? Imply that you intended for it to be there!

Oh my, a AQS show.....yes, they will spot it immediately. I agree with one writer above, work with the problem and name it, especially if you have a baby boy about to be born in the family (this would signify that he is in development and could be his quilt) or a death in the family and the blue line boxed everyone in sadness. Now I would not in any event, embroider or applique said name or date on the front of quilt because some consider that defacing a quilt. This still is one beautiful quilt. Congrats.

It takes a talented quilter to develop a brand new technique. I think you should call it 'shadowing'. Write a book on shadowing techniques, and before you know we'll all be doing it! It just makes me feel queasy that this absolutely gorgeous quilt could be deemed as 'having a flaw'. It is far too beautiful in its entirety to let that shadow detract from it. In fact, it should go on the cover of your new book. I will buy a copy.

ha ha ha... thanks. :lol: What comes to mind with Shadowing is not having to fuss with applique!!! Instead of shadow trapundo, Shadow Applique! Use some sheer fabric and make FABULOUS and fancy shapes under it in dark colors, spray baste them to the back side of the top. Then outline quilt them. :D :D

See? I KNEW you could do it! You've got a great 'teaser' already! And your ideas for shadow applique - think about it! You could come up with some really neat designs for that. Now that I think about it, I want you to autograph my copy of your book.

If it were my quilt, I'd still show it! It's beautiful! Your quilter did a fabulous job quilting it.

I don't agree w/dgmoby's comment about 'thinking 2x about the quilter'.... The quilter did a fabulous job. It's NOT the LA quilter's responsibility to make sure a customer's quilt top has all it's seams pressed in any particular direction... Myself, if I knew it was going to be entered in a show & the quilter was SERIOUSLY wanting to win, I would probably have stopped & place a call - if you wanted me as the LA to fix it, I would have charged appropriately for that additional service...

I'm not a judge, never have been. A judge might ding you for that particular detail, but everyone that walks by your quilt will be talking about how gorgeous it is!

I don't know whether you should enter it or not but, it is beautiful and you did a very good job. Be very proud of it.

Pam, I think it is beautiful....period....I also know who quilted it for you and I think she did a FABULOUS job on the quilting! I would definetly enter it....I don't show my quilts....have never had one that looks this amazing to even try. I did have a judge tell me one time though....All the quilts in the show have 1 really really important trait......they were entered... :D

Go for it...you never know!

I think when it's hanging up it'll show less. :wink:

Show it, you will never know unless you do.

I don't know what a quilter responsability is or would be, but I would think that they would look the top over before quilting and fix anything like this first.

I would enter it. I honestly did not notice it until inspecting it further after you told me.

The judges may bet see it either. It is a beautiful quilt!

Kyia

It's nobody's fault but my own and it's my responsibility to see that everything is as I want it to be.

I just don't know right now. I've been thinking of it most of the day. Why did I make it? To put in shows? No, I made it for my daughter. Does she care about the mistake? No, she doesn't. I told her to pick out a fabric and I would make her one.

Do I care if the "flaw" makes it not a show quality quilt? I do care some but it's still a pretty quilt. It mainly bothers me that it was a totally avoidable mistake that wasn't just because of being beyond my skill to do. It's one thing to do my best to make the difficult center star and have things go wrong. It's quite another to leave that extra fabric hanging out there because of inattention.

I have a similar thing going on with one of mine and it makes me sad just to look at it. Of course, anyone else(non-quilter) would never notice! My advice is to love it as is and maybe gift it to someone special(as I plan to do). Then, I know it will be adored and I won't be present to be p*ssed off every time I look at it.

Consider....even if you get marked down for the shadow, the rest of the work and the quilting will score high enough to keep you in the running for a top spot.

You did a beautiful job, as did Green Fairy! I was so impressed with your work, and I was fasinated with the videos of her working on it!

My vote is to enter it. As often as you can!

Another thing to consideris how many people won't be able to see and admire your beautiful work unless you enter it. Most people are not going to see your little error.

I think it is a very beautiful quilt. I would definitely enter it. It couldn't hurt anything and at least everyone would get a chance to see this wonderful work of art.

I 'd say enter it Pam! You don't want to deprive anyone from seeing this beautiful quilt that you made and that Green fairy quilted for you! If you don't get a ribbon, so what, at least people will get to see it!!!!!!!!!

i don,t think your beauitful quilt wanted to go to show ,but just stay at home and drape on your bed,beauitful quilt and love those colors together very nice

I think the quilt is very beautiful and you should enter it in the show and see, but I would not point it out as a flaw rather a design choice as someone else suggested then the judges can disagree with your "design choice" but they can't call it a mistake. What really matters is that your daughter loves it! and she is the ultimate judge because everyone else's opinion is just that their opinion.

I love the quilt and I see the problem but to me it's suppose to be there and it's a shadow.

Go for it! I agree to let the judges decide. Even if it should not win, put it in so people like me can ooh and ahh over it. That's the joy of a show. I don't always agree with the judges and just love seeing the beautiful work of other quilters. Whatever you do, don't point out that minor flaw to anyone else...it probably won't be noticed.

Your work & Green Fairy's work is amazing!

Everyone would enjoy seeing it!
Alot of people wouldn't even notice!

I would definitely show it. It is beautiful.