A Judges Prospective on Project QUILTING

Submitted By Barbara Raisbeck First, I would like to introduce myself. Kim has already done this but I would like to do it again. I am Barbara Raisbeck, owner of Quilts by Barb. My business consists of machine quilting on a long arm Gammill quilting machine with a Statler Stitcher, designing and constructing custom quilts for my customers and hosting a Quilt Retreat Getaway Weekend each fall. I also sell my quilts and quilted items on Etsy. I am very excited to be a part of Project Quilting. I am amazed at how fast this project has taken off and at the great projects that come in every two weeks. I love the short time frame of one week and I think it adds to the excitement and the creativity of the finished projects. Diane Lapacek has done a great job with selecting projects. She keeps the rules to a minimum but has had a huge variety of topics. This has really helped with the excitement. I would like to talk about what I look for when judging the bi weekly projects. 1. As soon as I see what Diane comes up with for the week (I see the project at the same time as you guys) I imagine what I would do for this project. Some of you have seen this in my comments. When the challenge “Road Trip” was announced, my first thought was “Trip Around the World.” SpringWaterDesigns read my mind for the challenge with her entry, “Wander the World.” (Right) 2. I like to see the rules followed, but “hidden” within the finished project. Season 1, Challenge 1 was “rectangles.” When I saw Moran Art and Quilts (pictured, left), I loved the addition of the triangles and circles. Totally unexpected with the rectangles and her quilting is awesome. 3. I love to see a project with a title. It can tell so much about a project and it really personalizes the finished project. When I enter a quilt in any contest, I always give my quilt a unique title. I have people come up to me and make comments on my quilts, referring to them by their given names. 4. It is hard for us to see workmanship, but it is important. Good photos, including close-ups, also help with this and your write up really helps us to identify what you want us to look at in those close-ups. I look at every picture and read everything you write with your entry. Keep up the good work on those pictures and write ups. 5. Penny Fabric Art (right) used orphan blocks when working on her Log Cabin challenge. I thought this was very clever. I love the reuse of beads, ribbons, yarns from sweaters for embellishing, and orphan blocks put into a “new” quilt is being very resourceful. 6. I would also like to point out something about our judging. We DO NOT speak to each other when we are doing the judging. I did phone Diane with a question once but we NEVER compare our comments and scores before they are submitted. We all have our own way of judging and criteria. I find out the combined scores at the same time as you do. 7. Originality and “thinking outside the box” is probably the most important criteria in Project Quilting. The first few totes were exciting; I get less excited about them as the weeks go by. I love seeing the use of a new product. Kathleen Quilts’ use of texture magic to make her Log Cabin flower in a vase was original. It makes me want to try out this product. These are just a few of my thoughts on my judging for Project Quilting. Congratulations to Kim for thinking up this challenge AND for doing all the work involved in keeping this project going. I am excited to be giving a gift certificate toward our Quilt Retreat Getaway Weekend this fall and am excited to be able to meet one or more of you at the Retreat this fall. Keep up the great work and am excited to see your entries for “Stars Over America.” Happy Quilting! Barb www.Quiltsbybarb.com