Quilt Show Awards

Quilting Guild of The Villages (QGOTV) with more than 1,200 members in 29 chapters, held its biannual “Showcase of Quilts” on Friday and Saturday. A member could enter two quilts; three if they participated in the challenge; and four if they completed a quilt started in a workshop with a visiting artist. 

399 quilts were displayed.

I showed two quilts; the same two quilts that appeared in Jacksonville (Florida) Quiltfest last September. Neither quilt earned an award.

This quilt show was much different!

I learned via email on Thursday that both quilts received awards, but I didn’t know until late Friday morning, when I went to the show, what those were.

In the Modern Category, Feelin’ Groovy, a maximalist-style quilt that was exhibited at QuiltCon 2024 in Raleigh, won first place.

As if that wasn’t enough of a surprise, it also received an award I was not familiar with: National Association of Certified Quilt Judges (NACQJ) “Award of Merit” for “Outstanding Achievement in Quiltmaking.”

Wow!

Apparently, a certified quilt judge (or judges who concur) can give this award, one per quilt show, if they desire. No one in Quilting Guild of The Villages has ever received this award. 

On the NACQJ website, in the Award of Merit Gallery, you can see the quilts and quiltmakers who have received this award since its 2016 inception.

In 2024, 78 makers earned this award;

in 2023, 70 makers;

in 2022, 54 makers;

in 2021, 21 makers;

in 2020, 25 makers;

… and so on.

It's fun to scroll through and see all the names, locations, and huge variety of quilts that have earned this award. 

I found the names and quilts of several modern-makers such as Veruschka Zarate @prideandjoyquilting, Sarah Ruiz @bysarahruiz, Kate Gawler @buttermilk_hill, and Maria Shell @mariashellquilts

I am honored. It's been an extremely meaningful recognition and experience for me.

My second quilt entry was Alternate Route, a two-color improv quilt started in a virtual workshop - "Dancing With the Wall" - with Irene Roderick @hixsonir. I machine quilted and big stitch hand quilted this quilt. It was a 2024 QuiltCon reject. #quiltconreject

I expected to see Alternate Route hanging with the other modern quilts on the floor of the auditorium. But it was moved...Ha, ha! It took an "alternate route!" 😂

You might imagine my shock at seeing it displayed on the stage! The quilt on the far left received a Judge's Choice award from Judge Karen Roberts. The quilt in the middle received the Viewer's Choice Award at the 2023 Showcase of Quilts.

Alternate Route on the right received Honorable Mention in the Modern Category and received a Judge’s Choice Award, from Judge Beverly Fine.

More shock and awe!

Such a turn-around in recognition, for both quilts, can only be explained by the subjectivity of quilt show judges. It’s apparent that as much as each judge strives for objectivity, different personalities come to different conclusions.

While Showcase recognition doesn’t offer any financial rewards, some beautiful ribbons and wearable pins are awarded! 

With the show theme of “Blossoming Arts,” flower ribbons were appropriate. This year, a color-coordinated felt flower pin was attached to each quilt, alongside its ribbon. When the maker arrived at the show, she was expected to detach the flower pin and wear it. I proudly wore my three flower pins on both show days.

Ribbons were made by members of Mamie Chapter of QGOTV, and flowers (about 125 of them!) were made by one lady, Terri. The center of each flower pin matched the color of the awarded ribbon. They're beautiful! 

(In case you’re wondering why I didn’t receive a fourth flower pin… no pin was made for the NACQJ award because it’s a national award, unanticipated by QGOTV volunteers who administer Showcase. )

A much-anticipated aspect of Showcase was seeing quilts made by members of the Sumter County 4-H Club. I am one of several volunteers who helped 8 to 14 year-olds make their quilts.

I assisted this eight year-old boy.

And this 11 year-old girl... is adorable. Her quilt was awarded third place! We hugged. 😊

Two longarm quilters volunteered their time and machines to quilt each child’s quilt, and give each of them an opportunity to use the longarm themselves. These kids had a wonderful experience with the entire quiltmaking process, didn't they? 

This is the club (missing three member in this photo) and their two leaders who work hard to give these kids well-rounded experiences in an assortment of crafts.

 

As if all that wasn't enough to celebrate, TODAY is my 16th Blogiversary! I began blogging on January 26, 2009 and have continued to do so regularly ever since. I have written 1,346 posts these past 16 years! Lots of words! Blog-readers and blog-commenters... thank you! I wouldn't keep doing this without your responsiveness.

If you run into me somewhere this week, you’ll see a dazed but happy look on my face. It’s not only that I’m happy to no longer have residual effects of COVID, but I remain in gobsmacked awe about Showcase. What a weekend! Linda