Judging quilts not ourselves

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I sent this quilt to be displayed at QuiltCon last month. 

 I entered it in the quilt show to be judged because the cost was the same and maybe I would win a ribbon.  I did not enter it expecting or caring about getting a ribbon.  I just like to share what I make.  To inspire or at least get a reaction from others-good or bad.  Its how we know we are alive and really creating-connections=life.  

Thanks to Kathleen for this awesome shot of people looking at MY quilt!

I have heard from many quilters whose quilts were hung at QuiltCon, including a friend, that the judges were harsh and did not judge fairly or were biased in their judging.  Im not sure what to say other then from photos (as I did not attend), some of the winner's quilts did not seem as well constructed as others in the same category.  But again I was not there.

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So because I'm not letting judging personally effect me I thought I would share the comments on my piece from the judges of QuiltCon.  I don't agree nor disagree with the comments.  I have learned that everyone comes from their own view of the world and this is the view of two individuals.

1,2,3 Squared

Here is the quilt as it hung in the show.  Thanks Sarah for the photo!

Design:  Effective use of balance and contrast/value.  Weak visual impact.  Ineffective use of color, background seems to take away from the prints.

Workmanship:  Piecing is accurate.  Quilt is straight and lies flat.  

Quilting:  Quilting design compliments the piecing.  Effective thread choice.  Stitch length needs to be more consistent.

Binding:  Binding is well executed.  

Additional comments:  Appears no thought put into fabric selection, since it all comes from one collection.  Really fun design.  (I have to point out that this was a MQG Habitat challenge quilt.  We were given the fabric and told we could add more of the same and one solid.)

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So know you can decide how it was judged.  I do have to say there are some contradictory statements.  But again it is the view of two people and I dont share my quilts to allow two people to change my opinion of my self and my art/craft.

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BTW I had this quilt displayed at a traditional quilt show February 2012.  It was disrespected in the way it was hung, with 1/3 of it on the ground!  It was not hung so people could get its visual impact.  BTW my friend saw it first and the bottom was tucked under!  She pulled it out.  Thanks friend!

The criticism I received was that quilting lines should be straight.  Of course I dont lay out my quilting lines and just quilt organically.  But that is not everyone's cup of tea.  My outrage concerned the way it was hung.  If you are having a quilt show then pick a space large enough to display respectfully the quilts you accept into the show.  That's why you include the size when you enter it.  

*****

My quilt "All I want is red, wah, wah,wah.

I had entered another quilt in the red and white quilt challenge category.  I also was disappointed in the way the winner of the challenge quilt did not seem to fit the way the challenge was worded.  I had made an effort to really follow the challenge to the word.  It seemed the in crowds group quilt won.  But then we live in a subjective world and if you let the world views of other rule you you will have a poor life.  I hope this helps uplift some people.  

In the words of Pete the Cat from his book I Love My White Shoes

'No matter what you step in, 
keep walking along and singing your song...
because its all good."

watch and sing along its fun!

keep dreaming...Colleen

see its all good...enough for me!