Judged and Juried.....

 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

The Dilemma of National Quilt Shows

I am still in the middle of cleaning out my quilt room.  And I have determined either I am a reader with a quilting issue, or a quilter with a reading issue.  I have three stacks of books still setting in the middle of the room.  One stack I will keep, another stack will be donated to my guild, and the third – and largest stack – will be taken to Good Will.  Those books have nothing to do with quilting.

Soon – in thirteen days to be exact – I will be leaving with about 45 other quilters from this area to go to what is probably the last AQS show in Lancaster, PA for a while.  The AQS folks officially announced yesterday that Paducah, Kentucky will be the site of two yearly quilt shows, one in the fall and one in the spring.  Since I have heard they have also cancelled their contract with Chattanooga, this means that there is the possibility there will be no major quilt shows from them on the Eastern Seaboard.

I’m not sure how I feel about this yet.  I’ve been to Paducah twice and it’s wonderful.  I fully intend to go back again.  But AQS has a huge membership from all over the nation and the decision to locate two of the major shows in one place means that it’s difficult for a lot of members to get there.

There are  good reasons for AQS to do this.  First, Paducah is used to hosting one of the largest quilt shows in the United States. And they do it well.  Some cities do not react well to the throngs of eager quilters arriving in their city limits.  Charlotte, NC was one of them.  The show received mediocre attention at best and the city poorly promoted it. 

Paducah has it down to a science.  Homes and churches open their doors and the city rolls out the red carpet for us.

Second, I imagine that behind this knowledge is the manpower to host the show.  It takes time and muscle to pull this off.  And then there are facilities.  Once you’re at the show, you’re in walking distance of numerous quilt shops and the National Quilt Museum (which in itself is another reason to host shows in Paducah).

In short, they have their act together.  But then again, so did Lancaster, and it’s in the heart of Amish country.  That means lots of Amish, Mennonite, and other quilt shops.

It biggest disagreement I have with this decision is that it may limit quilters’ ability to get to the show.  While Paducah is located more towards the center of the United States, having several shows at other locations definitely makes it easier for lots of quilters to have the opportunity to attend an AQS show. 

However, the business woman in me also knows that it was probably the bottom line that facilitated that decision.  The National Quilting Association shuttered its organization last year, siting financial difficulties as the reason.  Hedging the bottom line is always a good idea.

I would like to encourage all quilters to try to attend a national quilt show.  I know there are lots of local quilt shows that go on in every state, but national quilt shows are a bit different. 

First, you will meet quilters from all over the place.  Trading ideas and patterns is a hoot and you learn so much.  And the best quilts and quilters are there.  So much inspiration and knowledge in one place!

Next are the vendors.  The cream of the crop are at the national shows.  All those wonderful on-line stores you order from?  Most of them have a booth at an AQS show.  Also worth mentioning are the top-of-the-line, hot-off-the-assembly-line, newest sewing machines, mid-arms, and long arms.  Add to that the fact that most of those vendors have show specials that are running the duration of the show (and they usually will ship free to your home so you don’t have to lug it back in your car), and it’s a win/win situation.

Third are the classes. Fantastic classes with nationally and internationally known teachers are available for an additional fee.  I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to take classes with the likes of Sue Nickels, Harriet Hargrave, and Cindy Williams. Somehow those teachers can take a large class and make it feel like a one-on-one sewing session.  And yes, I know that on-line classes are available through AQS, Craftsy, and other organizations.  But seeing these women and men in person pushes it to another level.  Plus they take the time to walk around the classroom and you actually get to  meet them.  It’s kind of like the red carpet at Oscar night.

And to me, the most important aspect of traveling to a national quilt show is the fellowship of the quilters.  I couldn’t drag my husband to one of these things if my life depended on it, but I can get a group of my friends together and take off to parts unknown with a GPS and a shopping list.  And fun and mayhem invariably ensue.

I would strongly advise any quilter to plan to attend at least one national quilt show in their lifetime.  It’s well worth the effort (and money).  There’s just no other experience like it.

Until next week…

Love and Stitches…

 

Sherri

Still Flipping Rooms....and thanking God for IKEA

Happy Weekend!

I’m still working hard on my quilt room.

I’ve nearly completely cleaned out my old quilt room bagged and tagged four bags of trash, stacked books into three piles – keep, give to my guild, these gotta go to Goodwill.  See this?

 

I’ve discovered I have a thread fetish as well as a ruler fetish.  And these are all either piecing or machine applique thread spools.  I don’t have nearly as many spools of quilting thread.

Here’s how my new room looks so far…

Yes that would be a wine glass next to the computer...it's been a hard week.

I’ve still got to hang some quilts and I need to purchase a portable design wall thank God I’m going to the Lancaster AQS show in three weeks. 

The fabric that was a yard or less has been wrapped and pinned around comic book inserts thank God for Amazon.com.  The yardage that is over a yard  has been flat-folded.  They’re all sorted by color, except for the Feed Sacks and the Thirties Reproduction fabric I have.  It’s been sorted according to color and put in boxes by themselves – keeping the real Feed Sacks separate from the “fake” ones. 

I’m not ashamed to admit, I have almost five hundred pieces of fabric that have been folded around the inserts.  My stash is tame by some folks I know.  Storage is now the issue, and I did see some closet organizer that popped up on my Facebook feed that would work perfectly.  Each section has three baskets that pull out  and each basket would hold three rows of the inserts.  I believe a trip to IKEA is in my near future so what if we just went last weekend?  And if I can’t get there, they do ship. As soon as this dilemma is taken care of, I will post more pictures of “the room.”

In the meanwhile, I’ve still managed to get a few things pieced.  Here are some more blocks for my Farmer’s Wife Quilt.

 

And here’s the first block of Purrfectly Pieced.  I still need to add the buttons for the eyes and some whiskers.

 

I can only clean out so long before I have to work on my quilts.

Love and Stiches….

Sherri

...and Sam

 

Make Room for Me...

I am late posting this week, but I have a very good excuse. 

I got my "new" quilt room.

See, there is this room in our house that has had many “personalities.”  When we first moved here in 1995, it was our den, because well…it was a den when we saw the house.  My daughter was in fourth grade and my son was in first grade back then.  As both of them got older, it became the “rec room.”  We had gaming systems and a big TV and lots of stuff for the kids to do in it.  When my daughter left home to go to college, my son claimed the room for his bedroom.  It was one of the largest in the house, next to the kitchen, and had its own deck.  It was perfect and big enough to be his “man-cave” and bedroom.

Later, after Matt left home, my DH claimed it for his man-cave and it looked like a store room for Bass Pro Shop. 

Now somewhere in all this shifting and kids growing up, one thing remained the same:  my quilt room was the smallest room in the house.  When we moved here, that made sense. The kids were in school, I was working, and quilting hadn’t taken over my life then the way it has now. 

But now is now and then was then.  And somewhere along the way, resentment had built up.  I walked into the DH’s man-cave one night and claimed it for my own.  After all, he had a two level Leonard Building in the back, a bedroom, and two other smaller rooms for his fishing and cameras. 

Frankly, it was my turn.  After he recovered from his surprise and my scorn, he agreed.

Reluctantly, but he agreed.  “Have the Direct TV changed to the small den and we’ll get you set up.”

So he said. But nothing was done…no new floors, no better lighting, no removal of man-cave furniture and fishing rods.

About a year later, my daughter and son-in-law and the two grand darlings needed a place to land until they could find an apartment.  So the room became their home for six months.  It was wonderful to see the grand dears every day, but they left last weekend and moved to Oak Ridge.

As soon as their last load left the driveway, I moved my machines and tables and fabric and projects into the room faster than a New York minute.

No one is taking my room again.

View from Front and Back

 

All my project boxes (notice some are empty, so I do finish some things) and batting

Initial set up -- there have been quite a few things added since this picture was made.  Look for updates soon!

 

First "real" sewing cabinet I ever had -- Mom and Dad gave it to me almost 25 years ago.

 

Sam has found his spot.  He likes hanging out with me in our quilt room.

 

I cleaned out as I moved things into my new quilt room and discovered I evidently have a ruler fetish... Who knew?

The Understudy

We’ve been talking a lot about finishing projects. While not completely done with some ideas about tops and piecing, I did want to talk about another part of finishing your quilt or your quilted project – the batting.

 

Batting – or wadding as it’s called in England and Australia – is the “understudy” in the quilt play.  It’s not seen, but the correct choice is oh, so very necessary in order for a command performance.

When I first started quilting, my choice of batting was pretty easy -- whatever was the least expensive or on sale. And at that time thick, fluffy polyester batts ruled.  There wasn’t a cotton batt to be found.

Time has passed and there are now more brands of batting and they are comprised of everything from cotton to recycled goods.  Before we move into what kind of batt is needed for a certain look, there are some universal ideas that need to be kept in mind no matter if you're purchasing Hobbs or Mountain Mist.

 

Size – Keep in mind that your batting (and your backing) need to be at least three to four inches larger than the quilt top.  These extra inches are to allow for some “shrinkage” during the quilting process. 

Packaging – There are lots of battings available that are pre-cut and labeled according to size.  If one of these is used, be sure to let it “relax” before quilting it on your domestic machine or by hand.  When a prepacked batt is taken out, there are lots of creased folds in it.  Lay it out somewhere overnight so that most of this can fade away.   All the folds won’t disappear, but they will relax a bit, so that when the quilt is pinned or sprayed to keep the top, batting, and back together, wrinkling won’t be as big of an issue. 

If the quilt is going to the long arm artist, check with her or him about this step.  Quite often this step does not apply if the top will be quilted on a long arm.  As a matter of fact, some long arm quilters prefer to use their own batting.  Quite often they purchase batting in rolls and keep their favorites in stock. 

 

Use – Most quilt tops use some sort of “standard” batting.  Fiber content and loft (thickness) can vary, but they usually don’t require some special type of batting.

However, if you’re making some of those bags you bake potatoes in the microwave or the microwave bowl holders, then you need this…

 

And not regular batting. 

Likewise if you’re constructing quilted bags.  With those need a lower loft, stiffer batting that is fusible. 

So now let’s consider the fiber content of batting.  I know this sounds like really boring minutia, but months are spent making a quilt top.  Hopefully during this process you have a vision of how you want your completed quilt top to look.  Choosing the correct batting will allow this vision to become reality and content is key.

Most batting is either cotton or polyester or a combination of the two.  Wool, silk, and bamboo are also used for batting and there is a batting that is made out of recycled material.  There are also batting that is completely organic.

 

Each type of batting gives a different look.  If a flatter, more traditional “puckered” look is desired, then a cotton batting is the best choice.  These are generally thin and can stand up to the heavy-duty quilting that gives that antique “puckered” look on quilts.  If you want a traditional look, but want the quilt to be a bit thicker, use two layers of cotton batting.

If the quilt is probably going to see the inside of a washing machine quite a bit, a polyester batting may work best.  If you started quilting in the  1970’s or 1980’s I know what you’re envisioning – those thick, fluffy polyester battings that were almost impossible to quilt well, whether you were machine or hand quilting.  Polyester batts have come a long, long way and are nothing like that now (although the thick batts are still available if desired).  A quilt, such one for a child, that is going to be laundered a lot, would be a great candidate for a polyester batt.  Those battings hold up well to heavy-duty play and heavy-duty washing.

Is the quilt a “show quilt?”  If the quilt has a show in its future, careful consideration should go into the batting.  If a more “traditional” look is required (that antique puckered look mentioned earlier), a cotton batting would be a great choice.  A cotton batting will show off the piecing more than the actual quilting.

If the quilt is heavily appliqued and the quilting outlines the applique pieces, a good choice is two battings – regular cotton batting against the backing and wool batting next to the top.  The wool batting can stand up to that type of heavy-duty quilting and the combination of the two batts make the applique “pop” off the quilt top.

 

What’s the temperature? – If the quilt will live where it’s really cold, consider a wool batting.  It’s light but the warmest there is.  Likewise if you’re living where it’s kind of balmy in the winter, a thin batt would be best.

My favorite kind of batting for a quilt that’s going to be on my bed or given away is the 80/20 blend.  It’s 80% cotton and 20% polyester.  It looks really good and holds up well. And it's easy to quilt.

All of the types of batting discussed so far work pretty well if you’re quilting on a domestic or mid-arm except the thick polyester battings.  Those are bulky and can be difficult to fit in the neck of the machine.  However, they make wonderful tied quilts. 

What if you’re planning on hand quilting?  I’d pick a polyester batt.  They’re just easier to needle.  If you have to have a natural fiber, pick the lowest loft available.  Cotton batting is needle punched to keep the fibers together and this makes hand quilting a challenge.  The lower the loft of a cotton batt, the less needle punching is on the surface.

Silk batting is the best choice for hand quilting, but it is expensive and requires some special consideration.  Silk doesn’t cling well, so additional pinning is usually needed. 

Quilt color – Usually the cream/beige/ecru color batting works well with just about anything.  But if the quilt’s background fabric is white, white batting should be used.  If the background fabric is dark, black batting is the best choice.

 

Information on the back of the package

Like a lot of things, batting has its own special vocabulary.  Here’s a quick rundown of some terms you need to be familiar with:

Quilting Distance --   The maximum distance between rows of quilting needed to keep the batt in place. 

Scrim – Term used to describe the light layer or grid of woven fibers added to some cotton battings.  It stabilizes and holds the fibers together.  If you’re planning on keeping your quilting lines close together, you can use cotton batting without scrim. 

Bonded – These are battings made with glue or bonding adhesive.  When laundered, some of this bonding may wash away, leaving your batting loose.  If using a bonded batting, plan on really small quilting distances.

Bearding – These are wispy fibers from a batt that creep out through the top of a quilt top.  This can completely ruin the look of a quilt.  Bearding usually occurs when a cotton batting doesn’t have scrim or when using  polyester batting (because the fibers are so thin they can migrate through the top).  The best batting companies manufacture their product so that this doesn’t happen with either cotton or polyester batts.   Buy accordingly.  The least expensive batting is not always the best choice.

Fusible – This means that the batting can be ironed into place and will not require either a spray adhesive or pins to keep it where it needs to be.  Fusible batting works really well for small projects, but it’s harder to use on large quilt tops. 

Lastly, don’t throw your batting scraps away.  Larger pieces can be joined with either the iron-on quilting adhesive tape or butted together and zig-zagged.  Smaller pieces work wonderful on a Swiffer sweeper! 

 

So, as you’re finishing projects, don’t scrimp on the batting.  It’s the unseen part of your quilt, but it’s just as important as the top.

 

Love and Stitches…

 

Sherri

Whispers from the Past

I quilt for a lot of reasons.

Sanity is the primary one.  I work with numbers and men. 

All. Day. Long.

Demolition and environmental work isn’t exactly heavy with female workers.  I deal with primarily male workers and executives and then Quickbooks every day. 

And I’m married to the boss.

So yes, sanity is my primary reason I keep quilting.  When I come home and am able to hole up in my quilting room even for 45 minutes, I find I’m a lot calmer person and have much more clarity. 

Creativity is the second reason I quilt.  When I was younger, I was always drawing and creating with paint and paper.  Eventually this translated over to fabric and a sewing machine.  Quilting gives me a creative voice in my life.  Choosing fabrics and patterns uses parts of my brain that numbers don’t use.  And I love changing patterns up to suit what I want to say or even designing my own.

But there’s another, even more subtle, reason I quilt. 

According to what I can find researching my mother’s side of the family, I am at least a fifth generation quilter.  I’m an Ancestry.com junkie and I have traced my mother’s side of the family back for many years.  When I come across some of these women’s obituaries, I find the quilting bee they belonged to listed right alongside the Sunday School class they attended.  Putting needle to fabric lets me hear the whispers of voices from the past: Cora Perry Forbes.  Annie Elizabeth Wolfe Perry. Susie A. Holaway.  Isabella Nelson Perry.  Celia Hatfield Perry (yes…those Hatfields who are forever linked in a feud with the McCoys). Susie Holaway even lived in the same town I now reside in.  I pass the street her house was on almost every day driving home from work.

Is quilting in my DNA?  Maybe.  Is it something I just naturally had an inclination to do because I saw a lot of my female relatives do it?

The answer to that would be no.  I don’t ever remember seeing my grandmother quilt.  I have watched my mother quilt, but that was after I had started quilting myself.  I do have a quilt in my possession that my great-grandmother made.  It was that quilt that started the process in me. 

The burden…the need… to continue an art that has not only supplied my ancestors with warmth, but the women with an ability to express themselves during a time when that was somewhat frowned upon, is another real reason I keep needle to fabric in my spare time.  It’s my fervent hope, that as my daughter’s and my daughter’s-in-law lives progress,  that they will also turn to quilting.  And that their daughters do, too.

An art such as quilting is always and only just one generation away from extinction.

If I could go back in time and talk to my grandmothers, I would ask they value their work.  Preserve those quilts.  Put a label on them with dates and tell who they were made for and why.  Hand them down to family members that would love and respect the quilts and take care of them.  So much love, sweat, and even tears go into a quilt.  It pains me to see them carelessly discarded and overlooked.

I think that as we are piecing and quilting, we need to remember those that have done it before us.  I’m sure if Susie Holaway could visit me today, she would be amazed at rotary cutters and mats and all these computerized sewing machines.  She used scissors and templates and a treadle machine.  But I’m also pretty sure that she’d encourage me to keep the art moving ahead, even if though I’m using drastically different methods and have the money to purchase fabric specifically for a quilt and no other reason.

This week, I encourage you to keep the past a part of your present.

Love and Stitches,

Sherri

• 
•                               Susie Holaway

 

               

                               

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