What Happened at Road to California? An Awesome and Unexpected Quilting Win!

February 3, 2023

Having a quilt accepted into a quilt show is always a fun experience- sharing what you have made is one of the best parts of quilting. That’s a big reason why show and tell is a highlight of every quilt guild and group I have ever attended.

I enter shows with minimal expectations. I choose quilts that I think have a decent chance of acceptance, but I don’t consider anything more than that when I hit the submit button.

But every once in awhile something more happens…

Emergence at Road to California (Photo courtesy of Erika Echols)

The week that Road to California happened was jam packed. It was BERNINA Ambassador training that went from early morning to well into the evening, and I was pretty wiped out by the end of the day. During that time a friend messaged me that I should check my email spam because that’s where her judges comments landed. Exhaustion won out over email searches that night (and honestly, the next one too).

So late Friday afternoon, imagine my surprise when another friend forwarded an image posted of my quilt at the show- with a ribbon on it!

Then I took the time to find the judges comments, and it turns out Emergence won third place in the Abstract Category!!!

Emergence at Road to California (Photo courtesy of Gail Sevilla of @snailsews)

Judges Comments

Regardless of judging results, I like to share the comments. If you have never entered a particular show (or any show) before, judging can feel like a mysterious process, and I want to do anything I can to make that process a bit more transparent.

Emergence received the third place ribbon for the Abstract Category

Here’s what they had to say at Road to California 2023:

Awesome colour choice, awesome fabric choice. The ombre effect from dark to light works beautifully; fabulous combination of hand work and machine stitching is well executed and of a high standard. A stunning quilt. Excellent construction.

Do you want to know more about the process behind this 100 day quilt? You can read about Emergence here.

The 2024 Road to California show will be here before we know it. Are you planning to enter?

8 Comments

  • Reply
    Susan
    February 3, 2023 at 7:54 am

    Cograts for the ribbon on your beautiful quilt!

  • Reply
    Wanda Dotson
    February 3, 2023 at 9:58 am

    Congratulations. It is an AWESOME quilt.

  • Reply
    lynn bourgeois
    February 3, 2023 at 10:19 am

    Congratulations. It is a beautiful quilt, and its emergence from the darker days we have experienced is well represented by your lovely creation. I’m thrilled for you, and wish you ongoing success as you continue to create.

  • Reply
    Mary Teague
    February 3, 2023 at 10:43 am

    Congratulations! The quilt is beautiful and colorful and technically amazing. Love the combo of hand and machine quilting. In my limited experience, I haven’t seen this, and will give it a try. Thank you for sharing the judges’ comments. Can’t wait to see the next one!

  • Reply
    Barb Barnard
    February 3, 2023 at 11:14 am

    Nicely done! Love the quilt and I’m in awe with your color choices and construction as well as the quilting. Also congrats on becoming a Bernina Ambassador. You have your hands full, young lady. I look forward to your emails and learn a little bit with every one. Keep up the great work!

  • Reply
    Joan
    February 3, 2023 at 1:33 pm

    Congratulations! And nice things from the judge! I’ve only been to one quilt show in Chicago and it was massive and I’m so glad it wasn’t me doing anything with judging. Your hand work is A-MAZING! and the entire quilt breathtaking. Thank you for sharing

  • Reply
    Sherrie L Olson
    February 3, 2023 at 1:36 pm

    Congratulations are in order and well deserved. I have yet to step off that cliff and enter a contest, much less post the judges comments. I love the colors you used. Carry on!

  • Reply
    Sue
    February 10, 2023 at 8:00 pm

    Congratulations! And thank you for sharing your artist statement and the judges’ comments. Please continue to inspire us.

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