Have you ever stood in front of the prize winning quilts at a big show and wondered exactly what tipped them over the line? In this video from a fellow quilter, she talks through what quilt competition judges are actually looking for, drawing on her experience of shows like the Festival of Quilts, and it is a fascinating peek behind the scenes whether you dream of entering one day or simply love raising your own standard.
Here is why this one is worth watching:
- A look at how judges really assess a quilt. She explains the sort of things that catch a judge's eye, from precise piecing to how square and flat a finished quilt lies, the details that separate a lovely quilt from a prize winning one.
- Where the quilting itself comes in. Judges look closely at the stitching, so she touches on even, consistent quilting and thoughtful choices that suit the quilt, rather than simply filling the space.
- What can rule a quilt out before judging begins. Long before anyone examines a seam, a quilt can be set aside for a small stain, for holding the smell of the room it was stored in, for carrying pet hair, for arriving incomplete, or for being entered in the wrong category. None of these is a question of skill, and all of them are within your control.
Have you ever entered a quilt into a show, or is it something you would love to try one day? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments.
