Thursday 14 August 2014

Hanging Methods and Judge's Comments

My baby returned from its sojourn at the Festival of Quilts today.


Pinned to the back of it were the judge's comments:



I'm pleased with the comments on the whole but the bit I don't understand is the 'Quilting, Needs Attention'.  Considering the fact that the winning quilt was a pojagi with no quilting in it, not even   anything joining the two layers together, why did mine need quilting?  I wonder if the felt support caused the issue?  I am delighted though that both judges appreciated my design, colour, and surface design.  I worked so hard at the printing and in pulling all the disparate elements together in the construction.  If I'm honest the comments about it needing more quilting upset me and my initial response was to think I won't bother next year, after all this was entered as an Art Quilt and pojagi has been seen as being encouraged in former Quilt Shows,  but I've got over that.  BW was right in saying the thread colour was a detraction, I wasn't sure I had chosen the right colour when I was working it.  Maybe a blue rather than a variegated yellow would have worked better.  Just for information, the whole quilt (not including the felt support) was two layers held together by stitch.

I don't know whether I will make another pojagi, the work was immense, but I suspect I might as the effect is wonderful.  I realised walking round the show that I didn't need to use the felt backing.  Other quilts had been hung from tabs, off rods, from perpsex rods and from metal clamps. 



This is part of Chloe Redfern's quilt, above.
 




I think the maker of the winning quilt may have had a similar issue with her hanging system but instead of finding a way to add a hanging sleeve on the back she made provison for a batten to pass through a turned pocket at the top of the piece.

I'm hoping to go to the Great Northern Quilt Show later this month and I shall be on the lookout for display methods.

11 comments:

Wendy said...

I loved seeing it displayed. Sometimes think the judges don't have anything to say so have a fallback comment., it doesn't always make sense

Mystic Quilter said...

I have heard of other show entrants here in NZ who have been disappointed with comments on quilts and for the life of me, and others having seen the pieces, we haven't been able to understand where they (judges) were coming from. I agree it is upsetting but I love your piece and please enter again next year!

Unknown said...

I used to organize photography judged exhibits and I agree with the first comment. Sometimes judges have a fallback comment that often doesn't have much bearing on the piece. Judges are quirky. I had one once who so picky that I took him to lunch and "wined" and dined him. After the wine he wasn't as picky:)
I really like your piece and good for you for entering!!!

Maggi said...

Glad that you have decided to rise above the comments about the quilting. I despair of the ability of out judges to judge art quilts. Hope to catch up with you at Harrogate.

magsramsay said...

I loved your piece, it was so atmospheric but I think you're right, it didn't need the felt backing.
You can request not to receive the judges comments - I've done so since one of my sets of marks was for the quilt hanging below mine! In the end I know myself what's working, what isn't.I know several of the judges and they do such a good job in difficult circumstances, they don't get much time with each quilt and particularly in the Art Quilt section it must be hard to be objective when art is subjective!!

Emma said...

Wish I'd seen your beautiful quilt! I'd say listen to constructive criticism, if it ain't constructive, step back & ignore ;)

Heather said...

Glad those comments haven't put you off entering again. Some judges are blinkered. I once lost marks on a piece of canvaswork because, for the sake of the design and quite intentionally, I had worked some tent stitches in the opposite direction to the rest. This was seen as an error!

Indigo Blue said...

I love the look, colour and style of your quilt and I am going to stick my neck out and say that the judges may not have known the technique they were looking at. Some of the most scathing comments I have ever seen have been at the Royal Cornwall Show. Many of those were just down right rude. Glad it has not put your off future entries.
X

Amanda said...

I thought I commented yesterday but the ipad obviously decided otherwise. Well done for rising above the comments. They are only two opinions. Your work should always be for you first and we all enjoy it!

mrsnesbitt said...

hey Julie - noticed the Great Northern Quilt Show dates - could meet up. Any day except Saturday or Sunday. Sounds a fun day.

Kate North said...

The quilt looks great, Julie - I don't know enough about that style to speculate on the judges' comments, but don't forget they are often very subjective _ I've had comments back which said opposite things from the two different ones!

Anyway, amazingly, I will also be at the Great Northern Quilt Show on Friday (as we are visiting friends in Yorkshire) - so if you are going to go on Friday, let me know and perhaps we can meet in person and say hello :)