Quilt Judging Demystified

by Kathy Adams from Koolkat Quilting

If you are like me, you have probably had one or more of the following experiences

• You can’t understand why your favourite quilt in the show didn’t win a prize
• Try as you might, you can’t seem to make a winning quilt
• You wonder where the judges come from, and what skills they need to have
• Although you have read the guidelines from the guild, you don’t fully understand them
• You don’t know which category to put your quilt into

I was fortunate in being able to attend a workshop given by Jeannie M Spears, a quiltmaker, instructor and qualified Judge from Colorado in November 2007.  This informal three day workshop was organised by Queensland Quilters.  Participants did not go away with qualifications to become judges (this would require a formal accreditation process to be set up) but they all left with a far greater appreciation of the process of judging a quilt show.

Over the three days we were inducted into various methods judges use in competitions.  These varied from point systems, to ranking systems.  Some methods involved discussion with a team to reach consensus, and others were more solitary in nature.  The thoroughness of evaluation and the detail observed on quilts during the judging process was an eye opener to me personally.  If you might be tempted to think – “They won’t notice that” – think again!  This can be both positive and negative for the quilt maker.

We were given examples of professional behaviour by both judges and judges’ assistants.  Comments made by judges should be gracious and fair.  Judges need to be decisive, and they should also give every quilt entered in the show a thorough appraisal, even if that quilt is not in the running for a ribbon. Judges need to be prompt and professional in their demeanour, and it would be wise if excess makeup and jewellery are not worn so that quilts are not damaged during judging.  White gloves, of course are mandatory.

How do the judges pick the winners?  Visual appeal is probably the factor which narrows the field down, and then correct or sound technique decides the final outcome. I learned that bindings are very important. I knew that the wadding should fill the binding, but even a couple of loose millimetres near the edge felt with the tips of the (gloved) fingers constitutes an infringement.  So – stuff those bindings!  The mitres need to be neat, and to not distort the shape of the quilt.  If there is a join in the binding, avoid having it fall right where it is to be mitred, unless there is a special binding technique being employed.

One thing which I now know is important is the choice of backing.  Judges like to see fabrics which go with the quilt itself, whether in the same theme, or even using piecing which relates creatively to the front.  Also, they do measure the sides of the quilt to make sure that the quilt is even.  It should hang flat and quilting and/or piecing should not distort the shape or surface.  Quilting stitches should be even and starts and stops should be unobtrusive.

What about visual appeal?  The wow factor will always be important, and that can be through use of colour, texture, overall design and originality.  Sometimes a stand-out quilt may not win in its category, but will be a contender for “best use of colour” or another award in the show.  However, for a quilt to win “Best of Show” you can be assured that an extremely high level of mastery in all areas would be evident.

Why have quilt competitions?  Some quilters find the idea of being judged a very scary proposition, but it needn’t be.  What if there were no competitions – how would the progress of quilting be measured or recorded, and how would aspiring quilters be able to challenge themselves if there were no standards set?  In a juried quilt show it is an honour to even be accepted into that show, but in a more local show, by participating, the quilter is saying: “Here I am, I am proud of my work and I am not afraid of constructive criticism which will help me improve.”  Maybe the guild member simply chooses to help organise the show (a monumental task for even a small quilt show) and contribute that way.  Everyone is there to play their part, whether it be judge, assistant, quilt exhibitor, sponsor or member of the viewing public.  Without even one link in this chain there is no show, no celebration of the current year’s work, and no future for our quilting experiences.

So, I came away from this wonderful workshop with a greater desire to participate in any and all of the quilt shows I can.  I was interested in the judging process, and will observe much more closely in the future and try to learn “Why did that one win?” and “Could this one have been a winner if…” or simply “How can I improve to try to reach this amazing standard”. Perhaps any past prejudices I might have had about judging were replaced with a more rational viewpoint, and this made me feel happier about being a quilter.  It gave me a greater thirst for knowledge about my craft, and it made me want to be more involved generally.  This article was my first contribution, and although this report is just a very superficial sample of what we learned and experienced in the three days, I hope it might encourage more quilters to think again about entering their quilts if they have been afraid or unwilling to do so.  If a judging accreditation program comes about, I hope many will take on the challenge of this leadership role. 

To become a judge you do not need to be a master quilter, you only need to learn how to recognise one.