How to Create an Award Winning Quilt

Have you wondered why some quilts win awards and others don't? Why quilts that appear beautiful to the average person are virtually unnoticed by the judges? What makes an award winning quilt?

The answer to those questions is not simple. To begin, we need to look at the process of judging. The judges are properly trained professionals, certified in quilt judging. There are many factors involved in the decisions they make when judging quilts. They decide which quilts are award winning by one of two methods, the Point System, and the Elimination System.

The Point system uses a set of point values that must be considered for specific areas of design and construction. A quilt's overall appearance, its use of color, its design and quality of quilting stitch, and its borders are some areas that are given point values. With this method, quilts are judged on their own merits. However, there are drawbacks to this method. For instance, if a quilt has no borders, it automatically will lose points. Quiltmakers are thereby penalized, even though the design of the quilt does not call for borders. The number of points a quilt has earned when this system is used determines the award winning quilts, as well as the order of the ribbon awards.

The other judging system, called the Elimination System relies on forms that must be filled out by individual judges, one form from each judge per quilt. This system is more beneficial to the quiltmaker, as it allows the judges to make specific comments regarding his/her quilt. After evaluating a quilt, it is then either held or released from competition. Each held quilt is then reevaluated, compared to other like quilts, and ribbons are awarded, based on this comparison.

So, how does one go about making an award-winning quilt? There are specific areas at which the judges look. One of these is the quilting design. This includes the design of the quilt top, as well as the design of the quilting. A quilt with a good top design has pattern elements that unite and compliment each other, creating a unified palate of colors. The design must make good use of light and dark colors. The pieces must be in proportion to each other, and the background area must be in proportion to the pieces.

When the judges look at the quilting design, they are evaluating whether it relates to the design of the quilt top, and whether it contributes to or detracts from the quilt. They notice if the quilting designs give the appearance of creating movement and texture. The complexity of the design is another factor the judges take into consideration. As in the design top, the size of the design must be proportionate to other factors in the quilt, and fit nicely in its allotted spaces. Border quilting designs must not give an appearance of poor planning, but must flow continuously around the corner. There should be an equal amount of quilting throughout the quilt, with no open spaces, or over-quilted areas.

Workmanship is another area the judges will look at carefully in determining an award winning quilt. Some of their concerns include the use of quality fabrics, points and corners that meet precisely, smooth appliqué, flat seams, sashings of an equal width, straight borders, evenly spaced quilting stitches, pucker free binding sewn down with neat and nearly invisible stitches, square mitered corners with no "cupping", and a quilt that hangs evenly or lays flat, with no bumps or ripples.

The back of the quilt will also be evaluated. The backing fabric should be compatible with that used for the top. Major construction seams should be vertical. Generally it is better to have two evenly spaced seams rather than a single center seam. Seam allowances should be neatly pressed, either to one side or open. The quilting stitches showing on the back of the quilt are of equal importance as those on the top.

Finally the judges look at the general appearance of the quilt. Is there something about it that makes it especially attractive? Do the colors work well together? Do the fabric choices work well with the design of the top? Has the quilt been prepared for showing by removing all the loose thread ends, and removing all the markings? Is the quilt clean - no lint, animal hairs, cigarette smoke odor, or stains? Does the quilt have a label on the back for identification of the maker, and the date?

All these things, and more are taken into consideration by the judges in thier selection of award winning quilts. The next time you are at a quilt show, carefully examine the quilts which have earned ribbons; see if you can identify some of these areas.

Keep in mind that the judges don't zero in on just one tiny detail, but have many details under consideration. Do the points meet, is the appliqué well turned under and invisibly stitched, are the quilting stitches even, is the binding neatly sewn, etc. All these details combined with the overall impact of the quilt will determine whether it takes home a ribbon or not. Take heart, a failing grade in one specific area does not necessarily mean a quilt will be precluded from being an award winning quilt.

If you strive to meet or exceed the expectations of the judges, your next quilt just might be one of the award winning quilts, and you'll be taking home the blue ribbon! But even if it isn't, the fact that you have committed yourself to making a quilt, and actually finished it, is a great reward in itself!!