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Ask the Experts:Judging Quilts: Construction By Debra Feece When viewing a quilt, it takes a mere second to notice obvious elements such as color and design. But upon further inspection, other possibly more important factors will separate the best quilts from the rest. Careful attention to construction details, starting from the very beginning with accurate cutting, makes the difference between a quilt that’s just nice and one that makes its viewer say “WOW!” In the Miniatures from the Heart Contest the judges look at five construction elements: · For the first one – “Top, center and bottom dimensions match” – we check to see if the quilt is “square.” To help make that happen, the quiltmaker should measure the quilt top and fix any problems before quilting. Also, proper basting or pinning and careful handling keeps the quilt straight and symmetrical. Since machine quilting sometimes stretches a quilt out of shape, be careful to gently guide the quilt under the needle; no tugging or pulling. · “Precision in piecing and appliqué (junctions meet, points sharp, curves smooth, no puckers)” is self -explanatory. For piecing, if the quiltmaker uses a consistent and accurate ¼” seam allowance, pieces will usually fit together with little effort. Stitching inconsistent seam allowances means stretching or easing pieces to fit and sometimes results in puckering or out-of-shape pieces. For appliqué, strive for smooth edges and nearly invisible stitches. Use a fine thread (no. 60) and a color that perfectly matches the appliqué piece. · “Stitches are strong, even, and either invisible or complementary with appropriate thread being used” simply means that you shouldn’t be able to see the construction stitches. Proper tension is if utmost importance and the thread color should blend with the fabrics used. Sometimes it is necessary to change thread colors to match different fabrics in the same quilt. · “Sashing/borders straight, miters accurate, corners precise and consistent” is especially important to the overall look of the quilt. Even from a distance you can see the difference between straight, perfectly fitting borders and sashings and crooked, wavy ones. Whenever possible, cut borders and sashings on the lengthwise grain of the fabric. In most cases, borders should be cut to fit the quilt. Stitching an oversized strip to the quilt top then cutting off the extra length almost always results in a rippled border. · The last criterion is “Seams flat, no shadowing through top.” Forget that old rule about always pressing toward the dark side. Press in the direction that creates the least bulk. Sometimes pressing the seam allowances open works best, especially for minis. After pressing, for very small pieces trim the seam allowances to 1/8”. When pressing a seam allowance toward the lighter side, trim approximately 1/16” from the dark fabric to prevent shadowing through the light one. Whether your quilts will be scrutinized in a contest or made just for your own enjoyment, knowing what judges look for will surely make you aware of your strengths and weaknesses as a quilt maker. Improve your skills and make your next quilt your best quilt! About the Expert: Debra Feece, co-editor of Miniature Quilts and QuiltWorks Today magazines, is one of the judges of the Miniatures from the Heart Contest. She is also the author of “Folk Art Fun – Mini Quilts and More!” to order your copy, click here
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