KalamaQuilts

I've seen a number of posts here that mentioned tops being acceptable entries this summer.

I've been thinking about it all summer...I've decided on my opinion, but I'd like to hear others
on this specific thing.

thanks

and I wonder if age has anything to do with opinion?
If you feel like it add your age-ish please? Rob says I'm 62-ish. I find it hard to believe

tulip43

Most fairs have a Top only in their quilting sections. Make sure the seams are neatly pressed and that there are no stray threads

joe'smom

I don't care for the idea, because piecing isn't an end in itself; it's but one aspect of the art of quilt making. For me, function is an essential aspect of beauty. I wonder how many of us would piece for the sake of piecing alone, if we weren't intending to end up with something that could be enjoyed either in use or display.

luvspaper

Agree with Joe'smom.... But I guess in a way if you send it out for someone else to quilt, your part truly is piecing the top and should/could be judged on that alone, rather than how it is actually quilted....So I can see a category, but since I quilt my own, I can't see that I would ever enter in it.

Tartan

Most fairs have a quilt top category. Entering a top is as hard as entering a quilt in my opinion. Your quilt top is supposed to look as good from the back as it does from the front so no loose threads, twisted seams, no selvages, ironed all the same way.....a pain in the patootie in my opinion.

ukdame

I probably would agree Tartan but since I don't show any of mine not to worry. My dilema is that I always press light toward dark edges but once I join sections some seem like they need to go in the other direction-ha. I just try to avoid seam clumps for when I have to quilt over the top.

Quiltngolfer

I think it should be completed quilts only.

quiltinghere

Never heard of a 'quilt top only' category...but then again I've only been to fairs in two counties.

Nan

lfletcher

I have never heard of a quilt show accepting just tops as entries. I think it should be a completed quilt.

Sewnoma

I've never heard of that or seen it, but I don't have any objections at all. If it means I have more things to look at and be inspired by, I'm all for it! I don't think they belong in the same category as completed quilts if it's a judged show, but I don't have a problem with tops only being put on exhibit or being judged in their own category. Particularly if they're vintage tops where the original piecer has passed on or is unknown.

Looking at the backs might even be interesting, might spot an interesting technique!

(I'm 40)