In August I was contacted by Brenda Wolfensberger of Quilter’s Stash Box asking me to answer questions on quilt show judging for her blogpost entitled “What Are Certified Quilt Judges Looking For?”
Her questions were:
1. What prompted you to become a judge?
2. What year did you begin judging, and how did the decision fit into your life and your quilting career?
3. Can you explain the process–how long it took, what you had to submit, etc) for readers who may not realize the extent you must go through to become certified?
4. Can you provide your three best tips for someone new to quilt shows and having their work judged?
5. How many quilts would you estimate (I’m sure it’s a lot) that you have judged over the years.
6. What would you say is the most common issue that results in a negative mark on a quilt? Stitches? Seams not lined up? etc.
7. Do you have a quilt that stands out as perhaps your all time favorite that you’ve judged?
8. I would assume that before being a judge (or maybe even while being a judge) you’ve submitted work in shows. Can you share with us your piece that garnered the most recognition or awards?
I really gave the questions some thought, which Brenda paraphrased for her column. I was surprised when I added up all of the shows and quilts I had judged that the number was as high as it was–more than 100 shows and over 14,000 quilts! She also interviewed Linda McCuean and Pat Harrison. If you are a quilt show entrant or entering for the first time, you will find good information from all three of us.
Should you want to pursue the study even further, I’ve confirmed this week with Clark County Quilters Guild to offer the National Association of Certified Quilt Judges’ Two-Day Seminar on Quilt Judging at the upcoming show the first week of April. You can read more about the seminar and my judging philosophy here. I would love for you to join us at the seminar and show.
