For the first time in over 2 1/2 years I attended a quilt judging school. I like to keep up my certification with the OASS to be a quilt judge. You have to be re-certified every 3 years, so I'm just getting my certification completed under the wire this time (due to covid and lack of available schools to attend).
It was so fun to see old quilts and old friends, learn about new trends, and to be surrounded by quilts once again. It was a tiring and exhilarating day. My brain hasn't had a workout like that in a long time! Even after being a certified judge for 15+ years, I still learn new things each time I attend a school which never ceases to amaze me!
The participants bring their own projects for judging so we all take the same ego risks. This photo shows the judges examining my On Ringo Lake quilt. It's humbling and a little bit squirmy to have your own quilts judged by experts while you listen! Here the judges are examining my quilt called Milady which I just finished in January.
I learned that my quilt backings (pieced from leftover scraps) are not desirable, and could result in deductions in being judged. That's okay with me, because fabric is expensive and I want to use up as much as possible when finishing a quilt, so I will still continue this practice. I did get some hints on how to make a scrappy back look more cohesive/appealing, so that was great.I can't wait for fair season to begin once again after 2 years of everything being cancelled! Do you enter your quilts in fairs for the general public to see? It's such a great way to continue this wonderful hobby by enticing interested folks to learn more about it.
15 comments:
I did not know you were a certified judge; that is fun! I too piece some quilt backs, and will continue that practice. I scribed for our local quilt judges at our local quilt show, and my, what a learning experience!
What a shame that judges feel that scrap backings are not desired. I think they are wonderful. I have had trouble with judges over the years trying to figure out what the "potholder" method was and how to judge it. It doesn't really bother me, in fact I think it is educational for them so I still enter shows. I haven't entered our local fair for years because I started to think about the fact that I was taking a ribbon away from some little old lady. I think I will enter again this year because I have realized that I am NOW that little old lady! Have a great day!
How interesting, I had no idea that there was a quilt judging school.
I've only ever entered one quilt into a show, and that was the local guild show. I was a little annoyed to find that a friend entered one of the quilts that I had designed and shared at our bee, she didn't ask me before doing so. I had entered my quilt. Her quilt won a prize she is a better piecer - but she did have hers professionally quilted.
I've had a couple of friends enter quilts into the state fair that have won first place. It's always good to share.
Another person that I have spent time at retreats with and who was in our guild has won prizes at some of the bigger shows. It's always a delight to talk to her.
Helen
That sounds like such an educational day, I do admire those who can be quilt judges. Yes, I enter quilts in our local guild show when it happens every other year, and every year in the state fair. Such fun, whether you win or not, but it is thrilling to see a ribbon on one of my quilts at the show.
I only entered two years in the county fair and that was some years ago. The second year I entered I worked the fair also and was able to be laying quilts out for the judges to exam - that was the year I decided to no longer enter a quilt in a fair. It might be just those two judges in my area but they were not being professional - it was the judge that had been judging longer that had the say in the matter and what she said went - and it was more of what she liked than how the quilt was made. I know that probably isn't the way it is all over - but this is a small county and the pay out for best of show which I won the first year I entered and a 1st place ribbon the second year was so little it wasn't worth of the bother of having them displayed in a dusty barn where one persons quilt was stolen. Entering shows is not important to me
How cool! We don't have a quilt judging association here in New Brunswick. I wish we did as I would love to take the course.
I have so many mixed feeling on quilt judging... Yes I appreciate the people like yourself who take the time and the training to do it.
Yes you can learn a lot from a well judged project...
but
the fact that you can lose points because a back is pieced... is an example of things that get to me.
Wow, Kathy. This is a very interesting post. It does sound like you had a wonderful time reconnecting and also learning. That's great and congrats on being re-certified.
I would love to hear more about what judges look for in a quilt. I have never entered a quilt in a fair or juried show. Though I have entered in non-judged shows and gotten nice compliments.
I have entered quilts at my local county fair for about 10 years. For the last several years I have been an assistant in the Fine Arts building so I get to help layout the quilts for the judge Which I LOVE because I get the see all the quilts in their entirety. Sadly, the quilts are folded for display after judging so unless a quilt has a photo attached to it no one gets to see the whole quilt. I usually use wide backings, but one year I pieced a back with blocks and units leftover from the front. It was not well received. I don't understand that. With fabric becoming increasingly more expensive I think the resourcefulness of using up as much of the fabric as possible should be accepted.
I also feel that the same judge should not be used every year, which was the case at my fair until she had health issues that prevented her from returning. She grew to know the 'regular' entrants style and knew to who most of the quilts belonged. It became obvious that she was judging the quilts based on that rather than workmanship.
I also enjoy hearing the judge's comments hoping to improve my skills. Last year we had a new judge who did not know the people in our area. It was refreshing to have a new perspective.
I wish our fair judges were actually trained. They asked me to be a quilt judge last year, and I told them I was not qualified (but then, no one judging at our fair has been qualified for decades!!). I have helped at the fair and listened to the judges make their decisions. Sometimes their only qualification for that position is that someone knew they quilted. Period! One woman's double wedding ring quilt was marked down because the judge didn't think that quilt should be done as a scrap quilt. WHAT?!? And those of us helping spread the quilts and record judge's decisions are not supposed to speak any opinions. Maddening!
Anyway, I would be very interested in a post about what you are taught to look at and look for in quilts. I don't know of anywhere to get training in my area, but if I did, I would get it and volunteer my services at the fair--where everyone gets a ribbon, and they want more first place ribbons given than any other color (I heard those words myself). Apparently it has nothing to do with the actual quality of the quilts involved.
Can you share what the judges said a out making scrap backs more appealing? Thank you.
Learn about new trends..... caught my eye..... I have decided the stacks of quilt magazines can go.... but have to look at each before it is put in the to go pile.... and I have to admit the ones that are 20 years old just look different....... there are plenty of new trends!!
I have reached the point in life where I will not use all my stash.... so putting it on the back of the quilt is great. My children will have a few less yards to deal with.......
This was such an interesting post! I don't think it's necessarily my cup of tea, but I always wondered about the judges at the county fair back when I actually entered quilts. They seemed so capricious at the time, but I was definitely learning!
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