Contest-Ready Quilts

Have you thought about entering your quilt in a quilt contest? Don't know where to start? Find out with Simply Quilts host Alex Anderson how your quilt can take home the prize at the next quilt show. Ami Simms, quilter and author of How Not to Make a Prize Winning Quilt, gives pointers and suggestions for bringing home the blue ribbon from your next quilting contest.

Where to Start:

• There are many types of contests. Find one that fits your quilting style.
• Ask for the criteria. Will your quilt be judged on quilt design, workmanship or both?

Judges & Judging:

• Judges are typically quilters, artists from other mediums, or a team from each group.
• A written critique of the entry quilt from the judges can be a useful learning tool. This critique provides information regarding the strong points as well as the weak points of the quilt. Take the criticism constructively and use it to improve future designs.
• If an entry quilt did not win in one show, it could still take home the blue ribbon in the next show. Keep entering if you're having fun and learning.
• A panel of judges could spend from several hours to several days judging a quilt show, depending on the number of quilts entered. Be patient.

Key Elements to Consider:

• Design, use of color and workmanship are important. Plan your quilt accordingly.
• Create a quilt that'll knock their socks off! Competition is usually stiff, so don't be discouraged if you don't win. Just have a good time and use it as a learning experience.

Creating a Contest Quilt:

• Consider the type or theme of the specific content you're entering when thinking of design. Classic style designs with heavy quilting might be perfect for one quilt show but might stand out like a sore quilting finger for contests of a more contemporary nature.
• Pay close attention to technical aspects of the quilt. For instance, the points need to match up (figure A) and markings shouldn't be visible on a finished quilt. For optimum results, use the best materials available when assembling your quilt.
• A bad binding job on a quilt could cost a blue ribbon. When binding, make sure the corners are nicely mitered. To accomplish this, use thread to match the binding color and a true 1/4-inch seam to attach the binding to quilt. Roll the binding to the backside of the quilt to cover the machine stitches. Working towards the corner, fold one side over (figure B) and anchor it with stitching and then fold the second side over to form a nicely folded joint at the corners Stitch in place.
• To avoid puckering on applique work, don't pull the thread too tightly (figure C). Work towards achieving an invisible applique stitch by avoiding puckers and using thread that matches the color of the applique fabric.