Ribbons
and fabric…
Sounds like I’m making a little girl’s dress and not a
quilt. However, a part of quilting does
involve ribbons, and that’s a judged
quilt show.
I’ve found there are two camps of quilters out there –
the ones who bravely go forward and enter their quilts in the judged quilt shows
and those who could care less about what
some quilt judge thinks of their quilt.
And honestly, I’ve found both groups a little snooty
towards each other.
I have sat on both side of the fence. For years, I never even contemplated entering
a judged quilt show. Then I had someone
explain to me why it was important for a quilter to enter one of these things –
and while winning a ribbon is a good goal, it’s not the only one.
To prep a quilt for show requires a whole different
level of expertise. Different quilt
shows require different procedures for sure and “professional quilt shows” are
even more different. If you’re entering
a quilt in a show at the state or local fair, chances are the judges will be
quilters, but may not be trained in judging quilts. The same thing goes if you enter some guild shows. Those judges will definitely be quilters and
quilt teachers, but may not be trained judges.
Who are these “trained judges?” These are the men and
women who have undergone the rigorous process of learning how to judge quilts
from the National Association of Certified Quilt Judges. This certified quilt judging program used to
be under the auspices of the National Quilt Association, but the NQA disbanded
in October 2015. The NQA judges then started their own organization,
not only to maintain the high standards the NQA originated, but also to continue
to education and promote other quilters to become judges. The process is rigorous and takes a couple
(or more) years to complete.
And these judges are completely wonderful and helpful
and just terrific people. All of the national, international, and in most
cases, guild shows, will have one or more of these judges at their shows.
I wrote all of the above to say this: it really isn’t all about the ribbons. At these judged shows, the judges will give
you a critique on your quilt. Notice I
said critique and not criticism.
The critique will let you know what you’re doing right and what needs
improvement. It will help you become a
better quilter. Don’t take the comments
personally, but use them to become a better quilter. Even the quilter who takes home the “Judges’
Choice” ribbon will have items on her critique that he or she can improve.
Which is what it’s all about anyway. And that’s why I think every quilter needs to
enter a judged quilt show several times during his or her quilting career.
Prepping a quilt for a show will help you become a
better quilter, too. There is a marked
difference between a “show” quilt and one you’re making to go in your
home. While with both, a quilter is
selective on a pattern and color choice and piecing and appliqueing, knowing
that the quilt will go in a judged show brings it to an entirely different
level.
First, the quilt needs to be “show ready.” In other words, you can’t just take the quilt
off the bed and take it to judging day.
Make sure the quilt is impeccably clean – no stains, lint, spots, pet
hair, or odors. Make sure all threads
are buried and none are dangling.
Then there’s technique.
Most quilts are judged against each other in respective categories. Read the show’s rules carefully to make sure
the quilt is entered in the correct category.
And whatever technique you’ve decided to use on the quilt, make sure it’s
your very best work – every stitch. No
dangling thread and no cut off points.
If you’ve hand appliqued, make sure your stitches are invisible. If it’s machine appliqued, make sure the
stitches are even and appropriately sized for the pieces. Make sure your seams are consistent. Pay close attention to the basics of
construction and do your absolute best work at all times.
Make sure the quilt hangs straight and the edges are
plumb.
Make sure it will lay flat.
Make sure the borders don’t wave.
The quilting is considered separately most of the time. Whether the quilt is hand quilted or machine quilted, the stitches
should be consistent and even. If you
didn’t do the quilting, credit must be given to the quilter on the label and in
the paperwork. Make sure the quilt
markings are gone. If you hand quilted
it, be sure that the stitches are even sized on the front and back and that the starts and stops are not visible. If it’s machine quilted, make sure the
tension is even and there aren’t obvious stops and starts – and no thread
nests!
Binding is very important. There should be no gaps, no parts where the
binding is empty, corners must be sewn closed, and the size should be
consistent. The stitches should be invisible
and the batting should not be seen.
All of these techniques should be paid attention to in
every quilt, but even more so in a quilt that is destined for show
greatness. This is why it’s important to
have a quilt judged. Working on these
techniques makes you a better quilter.
And a critique will tell you in what areas you’re excelling and the
areas you need to work on. Judges won’t
have the time to tell you how to improve these areas, but you will know where
to start looking.
Aside from the techniques, the judges will also be
looking at the design elements of the quilt.
Those taken into consideration usually are:
1. Visual impact of the design – is it eye
catching?
2. Originality
and creativity
3. Color
and value
4. Balance
and integration of design (scale, relationship, and arrange of quilt
components, including the borders)
5. Overall
appearance
6. General
construction and workmanship
7. Level
of difficulty
8. Special
techniques (if used)
9. Machine
or hand quilting (and these are usually judged separately as each has an
entirely different skill set)
10. Quilting
design – is it appropriate and is the density of quilting consistent
11. Finishing
– binding is secure and even, square corners with no dog ears
Before entering a show, be sure to read the rules over
several times. Make sure you’ve placed
the quilt in the correct category. If
you have questions about that, ask them.
I’ve seen wonderful quilts completely disregarded because they were placed in
the wrong category. Make sure the
paperwork is filled out completely and accurately. Make sure you have the correct sleeve on your
quilt so that it can be hung. If
photographs are required, make sure you’ve carefully followed directions on
that aspect.
Some shows are particular that the quilt has not been
shown on social media. Keep that in mind
if you are contemplating making a show quilt.
Be respectful of deadlines. Some judged quilt shows are juried. That means that your quilt is looked at weeks
before for the show and a committee decides if it’s good enough to enter the
show. This primarily takes place in
really large quilt shows like those put on by AQS, where there may be hundreds
of entries and a limited show space. Most
judging is actually done a day or two before the actual show. So read, read, read the rules and deadlines
carefully to determine when you have to submit your quilt to be judged and
how you should submit
your quilt. Some shows require that you
submit it in a pillowcase with your information on it. Some don’t.
Almost all require that the quilt have a sleeve. Most shows use the AQS standard sleeve, but
again, read through everything to make sure.
Above all, enjoy the process. You will meet other quilters, many who will
be much better than you are. Learn from
them. Learn from your critique – don’t
take it personally. Use it to make you a
better quilter.
Because after all … that’s the goal.
Love and Stitches…
Sherri
