Tips for a Blue Ribbon Quilt

From NQA Certified Judges

Appearance

• Quilt clean, neat and odor free
• All stray threads, lint, and animal hairs removed
• Color value (lights and darks) create contrast
• Design commands attention

Piecing:

· Points on triangles and diamonds sharply pointed

· Intersections meet precisely

· Seam allowances pressed consistently and lay flat

· Stitching tension strong and even

· Thread color blends or matches fabrics

Appliqué:

• Curves smoothly rounded, and points sharp without bulk
• Invisible stitches small, close, tight and even
• Dark fabric does not shadow through light color fabric
• Thread color blends or matches with applied piece
• Markings are not visible

Borders and Sashing:

• Stay consistent in width
• Long seam lines are straight
• Lay flat without buckling or waving

Quilting Design & Quilting Stitches:

• Fits and fills the spaces uniformly
• Complements the pieced design
• Beginning and ending stitches secure and unobtrusive
• Knots are buried
• Stitches uniform in size, and even back and front

Binding:

• Corners diagonal, or sharp perpendicular abutment
• Corners smoothly rounded, or 90-degrees square
• Bias fabric not stretched or rippled
• Batting firmly and evenly filled to edge
• Stitches on back small, close, tight and even
• Thread color matches binding fabric