They’re back! The pair of quilts I entered in the Spring American Quilters’ Society (AQS) shows are home from Paducah, which is the only AQS show that provides judging comments.
Would you like to see them?
What’s in the Box?
Both quilts have been to four shows since I shipped them off last December- Road to California and then three AQS shows, so it’s terrific to have them home again. The exact contents of the quilt box vary slightly between shows, but here is what came in the AQS box:
- Quilt- Each quilt has a separate box, with the quilt packed in a clear plastic bag.
- Show Books—The show book is handed to all attendees at the show’s door, and AQS includes one for each show in the box. Since each quilt has been to three shows, there are books for Daytona Beach, Branson, and Paducah in each box.
- Quilt Tags- the label that was attached to the quilt during the show
- Judging Feedback Sheets- on a card tucked into the show book
- Quilt Labels- to sew to each quilt
- Ribbons- If you are lucky enough to receive a ribbon, it is tucked into the box.
Judging Feedback
Sharing judging comments helps demystify the process of entering a judged quilt show, so I’m happy to share the unedited feedback I received from both quilts I entered into the show.
AQS only provides judging feedback from the Paducah show. You have one year from your first entry to enter a quilt in as many AQS shows as you want. In my show entry cycle, the Paducah show is the final AQS show for each quilt, so I don’t have to wait long to get my hands on the judges’ feedback!
Each show has a different judging form, and all shows I have entered include judging comments. I prefer feedback forms that include a list of criteria the show and judges are specifically looking for, such as the Mancuso shows and QuiltCon. The AQS judging form only has comments with spaces for positive and negative aspects of the quilt.
If you are interested in seeing past posts I’ve written about judging feedback, check out these posts:
100 Days of Greenery
Category: Small Wall Quilts- Stationary Machine Quilted
Description: Photographs from the local botanical garden inspired this 100-day needle-turn appliqué quilt constructed to reveal linear areas of the background ombré fabric, creating a stained-glass-like effect.
Note: This quilt also received judging comments from QuiltCon 2024
Next Verse Different Than the First
Category: Small Wall Quilts- Quilter’s Choice
Description: After creating an improv quilt from start to finish in 100 days, I had a pile of fabric strips next to my sewing machine. These scraps joined other fabrics from my stash to create the quilt top for Next Verse, Different Than the First.
Note: This quilt also received judging comments from QuiltCon 2024
I’m ecstatic that this quilt received the Judge’s Recognition Award from Catherine Redford!
2 Comments
Kathie
May 2, 2025 at 9:14 amCongrats on your prize at Paducah. To each his own. I quilt my own quilts on my domestic. It takes hours to complete a bed quilt, so I, for one, love to see the thread in quilting. I often choose one color to do an entire quilt knowing that the color won’t exactly match all of my piecing. I look forward to seeing the contrast that enhances not only the piecing but also the quilting. Your thread in 100 days of Greenery enhances the view as seen through a screen door. It’s hands down my favorite quilt in your entries this year.
Kim
May 2, 2025 at 2:05 pmThanks again for sharing judges comments. We are having a judge at our local guild soon and expect to learn a lot from her!. Love this quilt because orange just POPS (and it’s my favorite color). Love all of your work!