The Quilt Skipper

quilting makes me skip for joy

Jenny K Lyon

Quilting makes me skip for joy

Judging…again, and a Blog Hop Winner!

I want to write about judging…again. Keep reading to the end and I’ll reveal the winner of my book!

I’ve written about judging previously, but I have new thoughts to share based on my latest experience with Houston. My very first experience being judged was traumatic and it’s a bit of a chuckle to read. I’ll be inserting photos of my landscape because I know you need pretty pictures to keep you reading:-))

The photos have nothing to do with the text, just pretty pictures!

If you know me or have read my previous posts on judging, you know I am not out to bash judges. Even when I disagree with them, I respect their experience and opinion. I want to know what they think and how my quilt is perceived by others.

I also think that judged shows raise the bar for us all and that is a good thing for the industry. I want judged shows to prosper and continue to keep the standards high.

Here’s how I view my reaction to the judging process:

 

It’s that simple in my mind.

Case in point—this year’s comments. The only specific comments I received were tepid remarks about tension. I know my tension is good. I know because I pay attention. My tension is not perfect, and the judges found the odd area with less-than-perfect tension.

Okay, refer to the chart above. I don’t care that much about absolutely perfect all-over tension. In my view, perfection robs joy. And joy is what I do. I don’t actually quilt to quilt, I quilt for joy.

So I will be more mindful of my tension in the future, but I’m not going to be ripping things out because of a 3” section where my bobbin spontaneously decided to pull a bit. That’s just not me. So the judges’ comments are duly noted and appropriate.

What I am disappointed in is the lack of comments this year. I don’t compete a lot, it’s just not my focus, teaching is. This seems to be a trend: fewer comments in judging. At least that’s been my experience with the sporadic entries I’ve made over the last few years.

I really do not like that! I take the time and trouble to enter, pack, ship and pay for the privilege. In return I expect useful feedback.

The Houston form is so well designed. The top part of the form is for the bulk of the judging and then there are 2 columns with check boxes for “Best Features” and “Suggestions”, a total of 34 check boxes.

So I’m left to wonder. Were there no “Best Features” of my quilt? Okay. If not, why were there not “Suggestions” for improvement? I just get a very “meh” feeling from this round of judging. Maybe that’s what they’re saying, “meh”? But with 34 boxes, couldn’t there have been some useful feedback on how to move on from “meh”? What’s curious is the check marks at the top were strong.

I will still enter the occasional show because I enjoy showing my work. But it makes me wonder why enter and pay and ship if I’m not going to receive useful feedback? I’m curious if others feel the same way. Perhaps I’m out of step with current practices and it is unreasonable to expect useful feedback?

Those of you who compete, enlighten me! Am I off the mark?

Aaaand, we have a winner: Monika from the UK won a free digital copy of my book! International winners will receive a digital copy; US winners will receive a book. BUT, there’s still time to win your copy as the comments stay open for 8 days for each blogger. So check out the remaining bloggers. Comments on Debby Ritenbaugh Brown’s blog close today!

Dec 6     Debby Ritenbaugh Brown   https://www.debbybrownquilts.com/
Dec 7     Libby Williamson                       https://libbywilliamsondesigns.blogspot.com/
Dec 8     Barbara Black                              http://bbquiltmaker.blogspot.com/
Dec 9     Cindy Grisdela                            https://www.cindygrisdela.com/
Dec 10   Teri Lucas                                      https://terificreations.com/

I’ll be linking up with Nina-Marie’s Off the Wall Friday where great links hang out every week!

Comments

  1. I concur 100%! This happened at a local quilt show in Montana. Very sad for many who look forward to outside comments and a new “eye” to their work.

  2. I think lots of feedback is what anyone would be looking for. One needs to know where improvement is needed and also some praise for what we do well. No point in having a quilt judged unless you know exactly what the judge was thinking or seeing. I think all comments are meant to be constructive for further improvement

  3. Though I didn’t bother to enter Houston this year (a decision borne out of expense and your general comments, as critiques are lacking most times I have entered), but I have heard many voice similar comments about the utter uselessness of the comments they received. One of my gripes from other years is that no judge signs their own form, as though they are too chicken to own up to their own feelings. At a show where all 3 critiques tend to vary significantly, I like to know which person thought particular comments (helps to filter out the more insignificant ones).

  4. Perhaps there were no ‘best features’ because all of it was good. Maybe a checkbox is needed to indicate ‘the whole quilt is wonderful’ or ‘excellent in all respects’ or ‘overall well done’.

    Personally, I find checkbox judging forms very limiting. We judges are not allowed to use our vocabularies to say what we really mean.

    • I think the frustrating part for me is that i’m confused. Strong marks up top, little feedback. I love the checks because i can get a lot of feedback in little time.

  5. Didn’t enter Houston for Judged event. Entered Power of Women. Didn’t go to the show….you’d think there could be a way for entrants to receive some information for this. How many entries? Vlog post at the Show’s website? Something back from the organizers of the exibit? don’t feel very encouraged to enter anything again.

  6. I appreciate the judges work, but I will say that Houston judging has never made much sense to me. There are three judges, and they try, I’m sure, but all three seem to have a different opinion. I have entered Houston twice now and gotten three different opinions on each quilt. Sometimes they are even totally opposite from each other. So I think it is because they all see my work differently. And yes, tension is the comment I at least used to get the most. Over the years, I have managed to take the improvement suggestions and gotten better keeping them in mind. It is most frustrating when there is little to no feedback, or puzzling when you get really positive feedback and no ribbon. I’ve had that happen often enough. I think the most helpful feedback has come from the Mancuso shows. AQS states outright that they will not provide feedback except for Paducah. So I enter to show my work to my friends and others who might appreciate the work, and sometimes to sell a quilt. I have occasionally gotten some good feedback from my quilty friends who see it and that has been extremely helpful. It takes courage to tell a friend something constructive, but I appreciate it. Lately I have begun to wonder if it is almost time to stop show entries, but I still haven’t won a really big ribbon. I’ve won some lesser ones…but I want a really big ribbon. Will that happen? Will I stop entering before that happens? Who knows…I am going at least one more year and then decide. Anyway, don’t be discouraged by it all…competition quilting is primarily to share your work.

  7. Thank you for your post on the subject. I had my first competition piece judged earlier this year and I agreed with absolutely everything the judge wrote. Course, she pointed out what I already knew and I was amazed that my rookie effort was even awarded an honorable mention.
    Maybe the judges were told to hold back as to not hurt feelings? IDK

    • Most of us can critique our own quilts and find all of the warts. We just hope that the judges don’t see them.

      FYI, Jeni, most judges have been trained to word their comments in a positive manner so that we do not hurt feelings. ‘Needs improvement’ is meant to be helpful.

      • I understand that comments regarding improvement are worded positively, and appreciate that sentiment. just wish there had been some of those positively worded suggestions for improvement.

  8. My suspicion is that the judges suffered from quilt fatigue – too many good quilts with only a minute or so with each. I’ve scribed local quilt shows and have watched judges latch onto technical issues (45 degree corners are a favorite) rather than comment on a quilt’s design. Honestly, I seldom pay attention to judges’ comments on my work, especially once I realize they’ve totally missed the point of my piece. I hope you’ll continue to enter your work for the benefit of the show goers, who will appreciate the spirit of your work and not worry over the back.

    • I suspect it was lack of time Joanna. In the sea of talent that is houston, I think it’s probably hard to do a complete and thorough job on each quilt.

  9. Coming from somewhere who has judged all the big and tons of smaller shows here in the US your observations about comments or lack of them is accurate. It’s been my experinece the reasons are probalby one or more of the following: (a.) inexperienced judges or too few for the amount of quilts in the allotted time. (b.) the judges sheet is poorly designed. (c.) lack of appropriate time/access to review the quilts and discuss their pros and cons. (d.) lack of trained scribes to help the process move along. (e.) no clear ‘charging’ guidelines provided by the group in regard to standards, rules, number and types of awards…meaning are there ribbons only/ribbons & monetary awards/the number of awards each quilt can earn. I started offering my own judging sheet, esp. for smaller venues, sometimes the were welcome, other times not. Most judges bust their butts with this responsibility and sadly far too often….there just isn’t enough time for them to provide thoughtful notations on each and every quilt.

    • Thank you for that well-thought out response Mary. I suspect it was lack of time or simply luck of the draw. A judge who looks at over a hundred quilts is bound to not hit the mark on a few. They aren’t perfect either.

  10. Not having entered a quilt in any show I cannot speak first hand. But, I don’t think its unreasonable to ask for feedback, good or bad.

  11. You know I’m opinionated about this. Lack of time is NOT a good excuse. When you are paying $35-$45 for an entry fee, then they need to provide enough judges to provide proper feedback. Of course, if your quilt does not make it into the competition, You get NO feedback, just an “I’m sorry” email. This is wrong too, in my opinion. The reason I feel so strongly is from my years of showing dogs. I knew who the judges were before I entered. And although there were not always “comments,” each dog was looked at and touched by the judge. In livestock competition, I have seen the judges make comments about every entry!

    • That’s a unique perspective, and a good way to look at it. I really don’t want to throw the judges under the bus. I am beginning to think that my expectations may not be realistic.

  12. I don’t even read judges statements and don’t feel I’m paying an entry fee for that service. Having judged once or twice, there just isn’t enough time (especially in Houston) to say anything truly meaningful.

    I enter (occasionally) in order to get my work into the view of quilters. Sometimes I care about winning prizes, but not really.

    If I want really feedback, I ask trusted artists for a critique. I just don’t think a judged show is the place to get that service.

    • I agree with Lyric. If I want a critique I ask another artist for it. I enter shows for exposure. Tens of thousands of people go to the Houston show. My entry fees are a marketing expense, and have been well worth it. Participation in Houston and Paducah have created some fabulous opportunities.

  14. I agree with your comments Jenny. Here is my fix: Our local guild has a judged division each year. We charge a fee and hire a trained and certified judge to review our work several days before the show opens. Perhaps because the number of quilts is far smaller than big commercial shows, our judges take their time and really try to make multiple (like 5 or 6) helpful comments for each entry, both positive observations and constructive suggestions. I have had the chance to be a quilt holder during judging a couple of times and find silently observing the process has been well worth it. One judge says that even though she is reviewing an art quilt she will comment on corners, stitch length and tension because she is trained to do that, but she will not give those weight in awarding ribbons in art divisions. To me, this process has been much more meaningful than the judging cattle call at big shows. Another useful exercise I’ve participated in is the critique break out sessions at SAQA conferences.

    • I have been a scribe or a holder probably a total of 6 or 7 times for my local guild’s show. It was very useful and educational. That is a great idea to have a judge come before the show and give detailed feedback. I still want feedback on the quilts that I put in major shows. I may be off the mark and expecting too much. I know those judges really don’t have much time.

  15. Just because you know the ‘wart’ is there doesn’t mean that the judge always sees it. If nothing was mentioned to ‘need improvement’ it is quite possible that nothing needed improvement.
    A near perfect quilt – WOW!

  16. Have to agree with Lyric that the most valuable feedback is from a trusted art friend. Judges comments on my last entry at Houston has me seriously considering not entering ever again. I truly believe that art quilts should not be judged by the same criteria that traditional quilts are. More emphasis/weight should be on the design and its execution when judging these pieces instead of petty technical glitches. But this is not to say that quality does not matter, it should not be the ruling criteria.

  17. A useful critique is a possible bonus, but is not promised; nor should the lack of one deter you from entering. View the fees as compensation for being shown. Venues, hanging apparatus, advertising, insurance, and staffing are far more expensive than one would suppose. Assisting with a local judging or seeking professional critique from a guild or friends is an alternative. Many shows use professional quilt artists, rather than certified judges. It’s also important to note the subjective nature of evaluating quilts. It must go beyond even tension and square corners or a judge wouldn’t be taking innovation and creativity into account. If a quilt isn’t awarded, it’s not likely to be due to a mistake so much as that the winners gave the judges pause and made them want to look further or ponder how something so stunning was achieved based on what appeals to them. This is why three judges may have contradictory perspectives. Perhaps a quilt won because they have intricate tiny pieces. Maybe the hand quilting was spectacular. Perhaps the painting was realistic enough to be mistaken for a picture. This doesn’t mean that we need to paint, piece, and hand quilt for our quilt to rise to the top. Hearing about how the Houston judges narrow down the quilts and come to a final decision on awards would be enlightening, if the organization would be willing to share a post detailing the process. I think adding more judges would make it even harder to reach final decisions, and fewer quilts mean more rejections and an emptier show floor, and less reason for people to attend.

    • I appreciate the work the show, venue and judges go through. I will continue to show with perhaps a different perspective. Thank you for your comments Afton.

  18. Oh, Jenny, I can understand your frustration! Perhaps we all need to remember that judges are humans, just like the rest of us. I’m sure “quilt fatigue” sets in, especially at the larger shows. That being said, I understand your desire for feedback. The first place I enter my quilts is the state fair. Each quilt is judged with a checklist, then there is room for comments. Usually, there is a brief comment. Over the years, there have been some consistent issues, which I am working to remedy. Often, I am surprised at the issue the judge picked up on, while the things that bugged me the most were not even mentioned. Sometimes my vision does not jive with currently acceptable practices. I was in Paducah last April, and many of my favorite quilts were not ribbon winners. I’m so glad those quilters put themselves out there for the admiring public! Please don’t stop exhibiting your quilts because you are not getting enough feedback.

  19. I enter a few competitions, and I like comments, also, because I look at it as a learning experience, and want to improve. Interesting comment from one judge, as I made a quilt for my grandson’s bed, with dimensional triangles, and the judge said it should have been square ! Huh, for the bed ? That comment was not worthy of stating, so I laughed at that one.

  20. What I thing is so ridiculous when a judge whose work is all pieced and traditional check off the level of difficulty as being low on some of my art quilts. Or when they they there are too many starts in stops in a thread painted portrait where I utilize many different colors which are all blended together. Or when a comment states “nice colors”. ‘Pretty face” fun looking. Seriously??? A traditional judge whose has never done an art quilt has no business judging them. The main reason I enter choice is for the critiques. Hence, I entered no show this past year….beginning to think it a waste of money. I have won in shows, but has met nothing because I was given nothing from which to grow and learn. Comments such as pretty, nice, whimsical, happy etc do me nothing for growth and are very inprofessional comments!