Podcast 209 – Officer Annie and the Quilt Police
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Running time: 01:04:30 Size: 61.9 MB
Several times a year, I get to be a bona fide member of the Quilt Police.
(Photo courtesy of Anna of craftygirlsworkshop.blogspot.com)
No, not one of those women who take the title upon themselves to point out everything that is wrong with your quilt — but a real official Quilt Judge.
So, listen to the podcast to find out more about what it’s like to be a Judge — and what judges look for when they judge quilts. It would take more than an hour to talk about everything having to do with quilts in competition and judging – but if you have any questions about what I talked about, or if I didn’t cover something you want to know about, please email me at annie@simplearts.com.
For an actual pattern for a Quilt Police, visit Debra Gable’s website, Zebra Patterns. Here is a picture — absolutely fabulous!
Isn’t she great?!
Talking about “great” here are a few pictures of the one who kept me from podcasts on my trip to North Carolina…
Cambria loves technology…
and her mommy…
and her daddy…
and flowers…
and her slide, which makes her say “Wee-e-e-e-e-e!”
she loves to color and wear necklaces…
and swim…
and me…
but not beans… ; )
Happy quilting, more to come!
©2011 Annie Smith All Rights Reserved
Annie, What a great, informative podcast! I learned a lot. Thank you so very much!
SELF APPOINTED quilt police get fingers in their eyes ala THREE STOOGES if they open their mouth…. I am very good at giving back what I get.
I have entered competitions with the understanding it will be graded and judged just as if I was talking a college class and I have absolutely no problem. I do not care if I win a ribbon or not I do it to get the comments in order make my NEXT quilt better.
NONNIE
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I can see why you were distracted, she is a sweetie.
Debbie
Can you use a pattern by someone else…
Do you give the pattern/ designer credit ? What if you do not make it according to the designers instructions ( I can never follow a pattern’s instruction. )
What if you make your quilt exactly like the pattern… same color/ same fabric… does that count against you.
If you DESIGN in EQ7 do you give credit to them?
What if you make quilts from a class/ kit/ workshop and you use their patten… others from the workshop submit their quilts… does the judging take that into consideration?
Nonnie
Wow, thank you, Nonnie, for more things to think about an address in a future podcast!!
My question is: Are there criteria you have to follow when choosing Judge’s Choice? Or do you just get to pick the quilt you love the most?
I have to admit – you have not convinced me to enter my quilts in shows. I already know where my points are cut off and my quilting is uneven. I like to think that other people don’t see all the mistakes. The last thing I need is someone pointing them all out to me (and maybe some I missed!) Maybe if my quilts were good enough that I thought I had a shot at winning, I would enter them. But I am nowhere near that now.
I re listened to your podcast…
Add bad smells to the NO-NO LIST… I am not a judge but if the quilt stinks of smoke or animals and set off my allergies I would definitely count it down.
Another questions: You talked briefly about subtracting points… do all the quilts start at a perfect number then loose points as you look them over? Can you expand on this information in a future follow up podcast… this is interesting information.
Could you include statement and interviews from other quilt judges, since you have so many good contacts within the industry.
Nonnie
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I have plans to try and enter in the future IQA show in Grand Rapids MI..2012.. I already have plans to go to it since my sister lives there …no hotel bills.
I already know I do not expect to win any prize.. I think it would be neat to just to get in. Anyway this is a plan… my problem now …which quilt to enter? I got to get sewing…
Nonnie
.
I was just listening to the Off Kilter Quilt and thought what synchronicity there is between my favorite podcasters. You mentioned and have mentioned how much you love Thimble Pleasures and Frances often mentions that as her LQS.
I do appreciate this podcast so very much. I have paid attention to the meticulousness and attention to detail and craft it takes to successfully compete in quilt competitions. Your info as a judge on the inside was quite interesting and helpful.
This post has such good timing for me to see into the mind of a quilt judge. You see, I just gave a presentation on machine finished bindings to one. Except I didn’t know she was one at the time. She’s new to the area and seems to be keeping a low profile. I was intrigued by her comments, which were very complimentary and later someone said something about her doing some judging so I googled her.
Mistake. Now I know she’s a NQA judge and an accomplished quilter. Now I feel embarrassed and encouraged all at the same time. Ever feel like you just showed a crayon drawing to Michelangelo and said, “Look what I can do!” ?
I love your popcasts and listen to them while I stitch and cut. And Cambria is a doll! Oh, and I once saw a quilt in a small show which was not only covered in cat hair, but the pencil markings for the quilting were still there.
I don’t want to win anything, but I just wanted to say that you’re “lost” interview with Helen Conway was really great. You have such a pleasant presence and good questions and you allow your interviewees the time to express themselves and get into interesting subjects. Bravo!
best from Tunisia,
nadia
Cambria is soooooo cute! I’m so glad you got to spend time with her. Happy Grandma!
Hello! I’m just listening to your podcast right now. I doubt I will ever enter a quilt in a competition – again it’s the self confidence thing, but I really appreciate this information. I am wondering though about machine quilting. When I see quilts that are done with machine quilting, but are done with some super fancy machines where you can program in the pattern, or have access to a long arm, it seems the machine quilting is perfect! I get some pretty good results on my Janome, but it does not have fancy features, and I’m wondering if someone who has a regular machine has less of a chance against people who quilt with these $4000 machines? Do you notice/pay attention to that type of thing? Thank you!!
Hi Annie. I had no idea you were a quilt judge! And to think I showed you the very first quilt I made (gulp!). LOL! This podcast was both entertaining and educational for me regarding the judging process. All I ever knew about judging came from the Stitched documentary which I only saw a month ago. And of course, photos of Cambria are always a joy to see. Your son looks so much like Guy! Best wishes,
Ann McG
Hi Annie!
This is the first time that I listened to your podcast, and I just wanted to let you know that I really appreciate it.
I started to learn how to quilt in February (but I didn’t really get into it until summer, when school was out), and I learned a lot of tips by listening to your podcasts, especially about the binding! I didn’t know that they were supposed to be filled. I always tried to put it as close to the edge as possible. This tip came in perfect time. I’m hoping to finish quilting my newest quilt this weekend, which means that binding will soon follow 🙂
I can’t wait to catch up on all your other shows!
Thanks 🙂