11.02.07
Ruminations About Quilt Judging
Yesterday, I was privileged to be one of three judges who judged a quilt show. Not all of the many quilts in the show were judged, just 72 of them. We started promptly at 9 a.m., took a brief time out for a wonderful judge’s luncheon prepared by guild members, and worked until after dark. Then Jim and I drove home, arriving here at 10:45 p.m. It was a long day of hard work.
After having endured the program to become a nationally-certified master craftsman in quilting, myself, I wanted to provide concrete feedback for each of the point categories and not just assign points. The volunteer scribes were very patient in recording my thoughts.
The feedback I’d received when I was involved with the certification program had consisted of a one sheet of paper that contained a few word categories such as “Color,” “Design,” “Workmanship,” etc. To each word, judges would respond with “fine,” “ok,” or “needs improvement.” There was not much information to “chaw” on. The final pronouncement for each of the projects was “Pass,” “Provisional Pass,” or “Fail.” After the verdicts were rendered, no further insight was provided.
Judging: Just Another Chance to Educate
Again and again, I saw some problem areas that I’ll point out to you with the hope that you can improve your own quilting habits. First, I feel that part of the workmanship is in caring for a quilt properly, after it is finished. Why? Deep creases detract from the appearance of the quilt. Unattractive creases along fold lines lead to a poor first impression.
Avoid this problem by laying your quilts flat to store them, whenever possible, or by padding any and all folds. Always fold a quilt so that the right side of the quilt is still visible. In other words, do not fold a quilt so that the front of the quilt is covered up. See my online book, Straight Talk About Quilt Care for more details about quilt storage.
Often, tips of triangles were cut off, hidden in a seam. In only one art quilt, was this a purposeful event. With the other quilts, sometimes, the triangle points set nicely in place … but only some of the time. I suggest that, if sewing by machine, you sew on the side that provides you the most “information.” By that, I mean sew where you can see exactly where the needle is going to cross the tip of any given point.
Adequate to heavy amounts of quilting were added to the interior portion of some quilts, but then the borders were left with not a quilt stitch in sight. The goal is to have nice even quilting over the entire quilt surface and out to the edges, and to have no puffy spots that are not quilted, and no “bunches” on the back of the quilt (especially a problem for machine quilters). Also, plan your quilt border motifs so that the area is adequately covered. If there is a design, don’t let parts of it get “lost” under the binding. Finish binding edge corners in a consistent manner, for example, don’t have two mitered, and two square corners. Also, make sure that the binding is completely “full.”
The choice of colors is another area where quilters get into hot water. Tried and true color combinations such as monochromatic, triadic, and complementary colors, etc. are a sure bet that the final quilt will be pleasing to the eye. When only print fabrics are utilized, there is no place for the eye to rest, and the quilt becomes hard “to read.” Its artistic intent, if there was one, is lost to the viewer. Too many dark colors can make a quilt just look “muddy,” and visually purposeless.
Sometimes, there is not enough “contrast.” Lighter colors that surround darker fabric designs can make otherwise hidden designs stand out. If too many deep and medium “values” are used, or are used exclusively in a quilt, then certain design elements, such as pieced leaves, or pieced stars, simply do not come forward and meet the eye, as a unit.
For example if the background of a star is beige, then it is not a good idea to use a similar value of beige for the star points and then a bright hue in the center. One’s eye goes to the brightest values of color, and in this case, does not immediately recognize the center as even being a part of a star configuration.
Proportion is another area that quilters need to consider. If proportion and “scale” are off, within a piece, the quilt loses any realistic qualities it might otherwise have had. Think about how large an item is, in real life, before you decide to add other parts of the composition, and make them a believable size.
All of the individual components are vital to the overall appearance of an excellent quilt. Ask yourself how the separate elements work together to create a whole statement. Decide what cohesive statement you would like a pictorial quilt to present and then try not to confuse the viewer by adding non-pertinent details. The mind wants to make sense of pictorial compositions.
The “quilting stitches” also make up part of the whole. Usually, pantograph overall designs applied over geometric, pieced quilts, simply detract visually. Of course, that is a very subjective opinion! The final use of the end product factors into whether or not this kind of finishing is a viable choice, for you!
I could add a lot more, but let me say just one thing. A visual work or any art piece, should be able to stand on its own merit without the need for verbal explanation.
Any work of art can exist on two levels. A quilt can have personal meaning to the maker, yet also have intrinsic value because it utilizes solid fundamentals of color, design, and workmanship so that the quilt can be enjoyed by anyone, even those who do not know the quilter’s hidden intent or feelings when making the quilt. The quilt should have its own redemptive qualities and be able to produce a response in the viewer.
Yesterday, I was struck by the originality of this guild’s quilts, and the number of “art quilts” that were coming up for judging. There was a nice mix of fabrics, patterns, and styles. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing all of the quilts! For Judge’s Choice award, I selected an exquisitely-made Crazy Quilt.
I was so grateful for the chance to see the quilts and to give my feedback. As a lifelong educator, I welcome the process of sharing my thoughts on subjects I know well, both art and quilting. I also welcome the chance to be with other quilters, especially quilters as nice of those ladies!
If you are a quilter who entered that particular show, just realize that your efforts have made the world a more beautiful place. However, not every quilt can achieve top place in the winner’s circle. The judge’s task is to choose the best of the best, and to see that the highest quality work is rewarded. That is what we are paid to do, and that is part of what I personally hope to have achieved.
Best wishes to all of the very friendly and happy quilters whom I met. Our stay in your beautiful state will always be a very memorable one. Thank you again.
Happy Quilting!
Patricia (and James) Cummings
