From seeing beautiful quilts that inspire, to seeing old friends, and learning new techniques, a quilt show is the place to go. Join the Simply Quilts camera crew as they travel to the Vermont Quilt Festival to learn what makes a quilt a winner.
The contest is opened to all quilters regardless of age or experience. This show has 13 different categories that are broken down by the type of quilt entered. The quilts are assessed on a 100-point system: 15 points for impact, 40 points for design, and 45 points for technique. Since ribbons are awarded on total points, some categories may not be awarded any awards, whereas, another category may receive a number of ribbons. To date, no quilt has scored a perfect 100.
There are four judges who judge this show. One for miniature quilts, one who favors traditional style, one who favors contemporary and one swing judge. These experienced judges are also able to award a ribbon to their personal favorites.
Carter Houck, the senior judge, has judged the Vermont show 12 out of 14 years of the show's history. According to Houck, "when you first walk up to a quilt, it either grabs you or it doesn't. That's impact of a quilt." Houck also is looking for good color combinations; excellent quilting; and she looks for the little things like the change of thread color. Houck gives her personal favorite award to a group effort quilt entitled "99 Houses" (figure A).
Even though there are no cash prizes, the participants enjoy sharing their quilts and the prestige that a ribbon brings is reward enough. The awards also serve to encourage and celebrate the creativity of all quilters. Sharing "prized" quilts is how quilt makers learn.
Resources Vermont Quilt Festival
Vermont Quilt Festival (VQF)
PO Box 349
Northfield, VT 05663-0349
USA
Phone: 802-485-7092
E-mail:
info@vqf.org
Website:
www.vqf.org
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