About Judging

The purpose of judging a quilt show is twofold: one is to award excellence, and the other is to give critique. ‘Critique’ is not criticism. A critique is defined as ‘a critical analysis or review’. A good critique should point out the areas in which the quilter has demonstrated success, as well as suggest areas which need improvement.

Much of my judging is done locally and I sign all judging cards given to the quiltmaker. Sometimes I get comments. 'Thanks" other times there is more of a conversation. One quilt maker just didn't get it. I evidently made the comment the I thought the piece would benefit with more quilting. She said "but it has a warm and natural batt" (this batt requires lines of quilting a minimum of 8" apart). I kept saying "how would I know that?" I don't think she ever got it.

I might make comments like these;

FEATURES OF THIS QUILT ARE:                               

GENERAL APPEARANCE
1.    Excellent visual impact
2.    Stood up well against stiff competition
3.    Edges flat
4.    Colors and fabrics well chosen for quilts style
5.    Innovative use of color
6.    Innovative use of pattern
7.    Well balanced design

AREAS WHICH NEED IMPROVEMENT:
8.    Color impact could be improved
9.    Good effort
10.    Bearding is apparent
11.    Loose threads should be cut (threads shadow)
12.    Remove basting threads and/or pencil marks
13.    Edges wobble or ripple

PIECING
1.    Piecing well done
2.    Points match
3.    Block size is uniform
4.    Straight lines are straight
5.    Curved seams are smooth

AREAS WHICH NEED IMPROVEMENT:
6.    Piecing needs improvement
7.    Corners and points should meet precisely
8.    Block size should be uniform
9.    Straight lines should be straight
10.    Shadowing-through detracts
11.    Stitches should be secure
12.    Piecing thread should not show

APPLIQUÉ
 1.    Appliqué well done
2.    Design well centered on block
3.    Curves are smooth
4.    Points are sharp
5.    Stitches are even
6.    Stitches are unobtrusive

AREAS WHICH NEED IMPROVEMENT:
7.    Appliqué needs improvement
8.    Design should be centered on block
9.    Curves should be smooth
10.    Points should be sharp
11.    Stitches should be even
12.    Stitches should be unobtrusive
13.    Background shadows through
 
BORDER
1.    Border well done
2.    Border compliment’s central design
3.    Corner miters well done

AREAS WHICH NEED IMPROVEMENT:
4.    Border techniques need improvement
5.    Border should compliment central design
6.    Corner miters should be done carefully
7.    Borders should be straight
8.    Sashing inconsistent (not aligned)
 
BINDING
 1.    Binding well done

AREAS WHICH NEED IMPROVEMENT:
2.    Binding techniques need improvement
3.    Batting should fill binding completely
4.    Corners should be stitched closed
5.    Width of binding should be consistent
6.    Fabric bias more appropriate than commercial bias
 
QUILTING
 1.    Quilting well done
2.    Stitches are even
3.    Stitches on back are even
4.    Straight quilting lines are straight
5.    Curves quilting lines are smooth
6.    Quilting pattern appropriate

AREAS WHICH NEED IMPROVEMENT:
7.    Quilting techniques need improvement
8.    Density of quilting should be consistent over surface
9.    Stitches should be of even length
10.    Stitches should go all the way through
11.    Beginning and ending of quilting threads should be invisible
12.    Quilting design should enhance design
13.    In the ditch quilting should stay in the ditch
14.    Tension on quilting stitch should be even