What criteria is used to determine the award-winning quilts at shows, especially when the quilts appear equal?
Answer – The judging is complete and the quilt show finally opens after hours of preparation. Then the inevitable question is asked: “Why didn’t this quilt get a ribbon?” It is easy to understand why this question is asked since there are many reasons why quilts do and do not receive ribbons. Some of these reasons cannot be easily identified when people view the quilts in their categories and the winners of the categories. To understand the answer to this question it is important to know that judges do not award ribbons arbitrarily or because of personal preferences. Ribbons are awarded after all the quilts in a category have been thoroughly evaluated, and each quilt’s overall design and workmanship are considered. Awarding a quilt a ribbon is an important decision and a responsibility judges take very seriously. A short review of the judging process will help explain the answer to this frequently asked question and give an understanding of how the final decision to award a ribbon is m
