You be the judge, part 2: quilt no. 2

This is the second of three quilts for you to judge. If you missed the introductory post, read about this little experiment here.

As a judge for a juried quilt exhibition, look at the following full and detailed digital images. Then respond to each of the following nine questions. Or get a score sheet in pdf format for all three quilts here.

quilt no. 2, 16x17 - full view

quilt no. 2 - detail

Judging criteria from Elizabeth Barton's Ultimate Quilt Judging Algorithm:

1. Did it attract your attention? Yes = 1 or No = 0
2. Did you want to look at it for  5 minutes = 1  or  for 5 seconds = 0?
3. Looking longer, did you see something more?  Yes = 1  or  No = 0
4. Did it stir something in you?  Yes = 1  or  No = 0
5. Was there anything in it that distresses/disturbs/bothers you?  Yes with artist's intention = 1  or  No = 0  or  Yes but unintentional = -1
6. Is it fresh & new = 1  or  is it a development of something familiar = 1 or  is it old hat = 0 
7. Is the value/color strong/balanced/interesting?  Yes = 1  or  No = 0.
8. Do the colors work together?  Yes = 1  or  No, but they clash for a good reason = 1  or  No, colors clash for no reason = 0
9. Does technique awe and amaze you?  Yes = 1  or  No = 0

Total and leave a comment with the score. Further breakdown or additional comments would be welcomed too. Or e-mail me your score sheet to maddonaellen-judge@yahoo.com

You be the judge, part 2: quilt no. 1

This is the first of three quilts for you to judge. If you missed the introductory post, read about this little experiment here.

As a judge for a juried quilt exhibition, look at the following full and detailed digital images. Click on images for larger views. Then respond to each of the following nine questions. Or get a score sheet in pdf format for all three quilts here.

quilt no. 1 - 16x16

quilt no. 1 - detail

Judging criteria from Elizabeth Barton's Ultimate Quilt Judging Algorithm:

1. Did it attract your attention? Yes = 1 or No = 0
2. Did you want to look at it for  5 minutes = 1  or  for 5 seconds = 0?
3. Looking longer, did you see something more?  Yes = 1  or  No = 0
4. Did it stir something in you?  Yes = 1  or  No = 0
5. Was there anything in it that distresses/disturbs/bothers you?  Yes with artist's intention = 1  or  No = 0  or  Yes but unintentional = -1
6. Is it fresh & new = 1  or  is it a development of something familiar = 1 or  is it old hat = 0 
7. Is the value/color strong/balanced/interesting?  Yes = 1  or  No = 0.
8. Do the colors work together?  Yes = 1  or  No, but they clash for a good reason = 1  or  No, colors clash for no reason = 0
9. Does technique awe and amaze you?  Yes = 1  or  No = 0

Total and leave a comment with the score. Further breakdown or additional comments would be welcomed too. Or e-mail me your score sheet after quilt no. 3. 

You be the judge, part 1

What happens when judges review entries for an exhibition? Why are some works accepted but others are not? No simple answers to this recurring mystery that continues to vex all artists.

Elizabeth Barton gave this some thought and came up with a simple algorithm: nine questions in four categories for judging a quilt. Read her introductory blog post here and about her nine questions here.

These nine questions are fabulously straight forward and quick. Most are yes or no. Highest score is 9 points, lowest is -1 point. Short and sweet.

Jurying for an exhibition is often done with digital images rather than actual quilts. So with blessings from Ms. Barton, I invite YOU, dear reader, to be a judge.

Here's the plan.

I'll post three quilts on three consecutive days. Each quilt will have two images: full and detail views. The nine questions will be listed at the end of each post. Or print off this score sheet for all three in pdf format. Leave the total score, though I would really love to get the score for each individual question, as a comment. Be anonymous if you want. Or e-mail me your score sheet.

For comparison, local quilters did this same exercise, except they saw the actual quilts. I'm curious if there'll be any difference in the real vs virtual.

Thanks in advance for participating. I'll share results and what I've learned from this experiment.

Holiday hand stitches

packages prepared: rolled up quilts and tool box

Holidays meant a few days away from home and a few days without the sewing machine. So I prepared for a few days of hand stitching to finish bindings on four small pieces.

four bindings ready for hand stitching

The largest is 21" square, smallest 16" square. At two minutes per inch - not counting time fiddling with the miter corners - I filled many hours with stitching. This tortoise was happily productive. The result: four finished ufos - not counting sleeves and labels. 

front corners of the four finished pieces

For this one I cut the binding strips on the bias to curve around the corners. 

And the other three? I'll post them after my next critique group meeting. 

First Friday favorite photo - December (late and last)

Late, late, late! I missed the first Friday deadline.

Despite plans, these postings haven't forced me to organize my photos. That project was put on the back burner when I switched from a pc to a mac in midyear. Maybe after more training sessions, iPhoto will stop being such a mystery and I'll climb out of that rabbit hole.

Until then, this the last first Friday favorite photo.

Temptation

Can't believe it is December. Where did the year go?

The Janome 6600 went in for service before Thanksgiving. Just as I was about to pull out my backup machine, the shop called to say it's ready. Great timing!

Not only does the shop provide excellent service, they also sell new machines and sewing & quilting supplies. I test drove two new machines with wider 11" throats - new Janome Horizon MC8200 and a Bernina (sorry didn't note the model). The Janome fmq'd more smoothly.

Tempting as the new machine was, I came home with my 6600. I can't really justify a new machine. Yet. Might change my mind after wrestling with the next quilt beast. In the meantime I'll finish the year with my fmq quest: samples and smaller ufos. Quest to continue in 2013 with larger works.

Meanwhile, Three 1 and Three 2 are part of the Alameda County Arts Commission Exhibition at the Alameda County Administration Building, 1221 Oak St., Oakland, CA. It opens today and runs until 2/21/2013.