Entering Your Quilts & The Judging Process

Bonnie Browning talks with the judges for the AQS Quilt Contest at Spring Paducah 2017, Katie Pasquini Masopust, Sue Nickels, and Paula Nadelstern. Learn some tips for entering your quilts and why it is important to share your quilts at QuiltWeek and other quilt shows.
www.quiltweek.com

[@silkecliatt606]

Ever since I read that some quilters research in advance who the judges are going to be and then create a quilt along the lines of what the judges "like", I have had no desire to enter my quilts in a show. This presentation has changed my mind in the sense that it seems valuable in itself to share one's work without expectation that others might consider it a winner.

[@susanbuckingham4981]

Yes, it hurts if you don't get into a show and it hurts if you DO get into a show, but don't win anything. That said, what I have found is that the comments made by the judges help you to improve your work and a positive comment goes a long way to give you confirmation that your work is important. The elation of getting into your first show, whether you win or not, is like walking on a cloud! I will take a break now and again, but then I get back on the horse and submit again.

[@lisakoehler1719]

I give credit to those who enter quilts. I could not. I just know that the quilts I have inherited from family members are not 'perfect' They were made by women who used what they had to keep their children warm. I cherish every missed stitch , crooked line, mismatched points and yes even some ugly fabric. These were made by hands that loving touched, held, cooked for and took care of my grandparents and parents. I just wish I could hold those hands today once more and say how much I love them. So if you see a quilt and you purchase it please just think of what that person was thinking about when they sat there putting so much work into it. I quilt. While quilting I think about my great grandmothers and grandmothers. I wonder what they would think with all these new tangled gadgets when they had only needle, thread, fabric & scissors. So yes show quilts are very beautiful to look at but how many get to cover a child's little body to keep it warm and be loved? When I make a quilt I picture a child dragging it around the house and curling up with it. That's a beautiful quilt!

[@bm4114]

The thought of someone judging my quilts makes me so anxious. Every stitch I make I think what if some judge saw this messed up line of stitches, or this botched knot, or this wonky edge. I have to put it out of my mind and just continue on.

[@annas.r.p.5835]

I do not want to make a QUILT SHOW quilt ... but I want to learn how to make a better quilt

[@annford]

Paula Nadelstern says "dont take it personally", but I dont understand how you cannot. Putting yourself, your work, out there to be judged is a very personal thing. And yes, that does keep me from entering any shows.

[@annamarieflanegan6393]

Hi Ann, That's just such a pity, because others are not getting to see your efforts! It's certainly not about getting a prize, but learning from your experiences as a quilter! Often critiques are most informative and upbuilding. You also get a lot of positive feedback from your friends - so, I would take that first step, be brave and find out about what your positive points are and how to improve on your own quilting!!!

[@crazy4doxies440]

I entered an art quilt in our local show in the judges category ( our show is public voting) and the critiques were both helpful and also one was wrong in that I was marked down for ‘improper use of border’ and it was an art quilt with no border! However the judge was a well known and talented long arm quilter so I was also given points for my machine quilting. So you never know. I appreciated the comments and love that quilt!