Category Archives: Quilt Judging

Judging of quilts on exhibition for the award of ribbons or prizes

May 22, 2012

Art for Peace Judging Continues

Art for Peace 2012

Well, I did it!  I managed to judge 600 pieces of art work by young people from all over the world and I did it in two days, successfully meeting the deadline of Monday.  This was effectively a preliminary round of judging intended to exclude a large majority of pieces that did not properly address the theme:  Imagine a World Free of Nuclear Weapons.  One piece particularly stuck in my mind.  I will be watching to see how far forward it goes!

This is a challenging theme.  Many of the young people illustrated a peaceful world, mistakenly thinking that having no nuclear weapons would mean the end of war.  Oh, that it would!  It will take more than the destruction of existing nuclear weapons and the prevention of their manufacture in future to give us a peaceful world.

The idea of peace seems so simple, doesn’t it?  So attainable?  What would it take, do you suppose, to get everyone to lay down arms, sit down together and amicably resolve their differences of opinion, rather than taking up arms against one another and hurting so many others as they do so?

Anyway, the second round of judging will be coming up in a few days.  Awards and prizes are to be announced by the end of the month.  We have a long way to go yet and not much time left to do it, but I’m confident we will meet the deadlines given by the organizers, Harmony for Peace and the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs.

Visit the Gallery Entries page and click on any country to see the works submitted from that country.  Kenya has a couple of entries!!

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May 20, 2012

Judging Art for Peace 2012

My name was put forward by Ms. Nancy Campbell, Executive Director of Wayne Art Center, PA (thank you, Nancy!!) as a prospective judge for the United Nations sponsored Art for Peace 2012 International Art Contest for Young People, and I was invited to participate!

I am now, along with about 100 others, judging my share of some 6700 entries.  The works are not quilts, but they are certainly works of art.  The entries have been received from young people, ages 5-17, all over the world.  The range of talent is remarkable, and it is most interesting to see the commonality of themes expressed by Greek, Russian, African, French and Chinese (just to name a few) children.

The theme for the competition is “Imagine a World Free of Nuclear Weapons.”  This topic engages the young people, their parents and their teachers in a global effort to understand the dangers of nuclear weapons and to work to suppress them.  For most of the children and teenagers, this topic resolves itself into a simple expression of a desire for world peace.  World renowned symbols are common:  the dove, the peace sign, and the symbol for radiation.  Images are full of happy, peaceful people living in green landscapes with clean water.  It’s clear to see what our children want and need–why must it so often be impossible to provide for them?

Learn more about Art for Peace 2012 International Art Contest for Young People.

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March 28, 2012

Whole-Cloth Quilts and Mixed Patchwork Techniques in Quilt Competitions

Friends and readers often email me and sometimes they ask questions relevant to patchwork quilters everywhere.  The discussion below is one such correspondence.  If you are interested in competition quilting and whole-cloth quilts, you may find both the questions and my responses informative:

I am trying to find out a few facts about different aspects of quilt competitions.  Can you please help me as you are a judge and experienced in this field?

I’m happy to help.

"Lamu," whole-cloth quilt by Dena Crain

"Lamu," whole-cloth quilt by Dena Crain

For a whole-cloth quilt, can I use a whole fabric which has a theme print on it (flowers, houses, etc.) and quilt it intricately as one piece and enter in this competition?

The beauty of whole-cloth quilts is generally to be found in the quilting design and stitching.  You should consider, as you make this decision, whether your quilting design and beautiful stitching will show up best on a printed fabric or on a solid color fabric.  If you intend merely to outline the shapes that are printed on the quilt top fabric, I fear the element of quilt design will be minimized, and the stitching will disappear into the print.  I would not recommend using a printed fabric as a whole-cloth quilt for competition unless you do something remarkable with it, something that shows you clearly understood the issues at stake and that you are deliberately making a powerful statement with this piece.

"Wanyama," whole-cloth quilt by Dena Crain

"Wanyama," whole-cloth quilt by Dena Crain

"Wanyama," whole-cloth quilt by Dena Crain (detail)

"Wanyama," whole-cloth quilt by Dena Crain (detail)

For the mixed technique category, is there a requirement for minimum number of techniques that have to be used or do any other rules apply to enter the piece in this competition?

I would think this category permits quilt tops that have been executed as both appliqué and piecing, the two forms of patchwork.  A mixed techniques category would be for quilts that go beyond the requirements for either appliqué or piecing by combining elements of both.  It is not a reference to “mixed media,” as defined in the world of fine art, which would permit painting, dyeing, found objects, crayon, pen, etc.

I am flattered that you ask my opinion on these matters.  However, you are well advised to consult with the competition organizers if you have any questions about their requirements, categories or definitions.  They will have specific ideas about what they are looking for, and they will be happy to communicate with you further to help you avoid any misunderstandings.

Thanks in advance.

You’re most welcome.  Good luck, and let’s hope you win!!

If you have questions about patchwork quilting, feel free to email me using the Contact Form.  I will be happy to respond directly to you, and to share our chats here with other quilters around the world.  Thanks!

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September 17, 2011

Change Your Life: Make a Quilt!

As partial requirement for my quilt judge certification through the South African Quilt Guild, I wrote a scholarly paper on “How Patchwork Changes Women’s Lives.”

Download your free copy of How Patchwork Quilting Changes Women’s Lives.  Read it, and then please share your thoughts as comments below.

How Patchwork Quilting Changes Women's Lives by Dena Dale Crain

Hmm, maybe I should write a sequel called “How Women Have Changed Patchwork Quilting?!”

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July 26, 2011

Quilt Judging in South Africa

Jenny Hermans, one of the four quilt judge certification tutors for the South African Quilt Guild, sent me some photographs from the judging room prior to the 16th South African National Quilt Festival in Stellenbosch, South Africa earlier this month.  I share them with you here with Jenny’s permission:

Quilts ready for hanging at the 2011 South African National Quilt Festival in Stellenbosch

Quilts ready for hanging at the 2011 South African National Quilt Festival in Stellenbosch

Taking down the quilt show

Taking down the quilt show

Preparing quilts for collection

Preparing quilts for collection

Scribes for quilt judging

Scribes for quilt judging--me at the back in light blue

New quilt judges certified by the South African Quilt Guild

New quilt judges certified by the South African Quilt Guild on June 26, 2011. Back row, left to right: Collen Thackery from Zimbabwe, Sheila Walwyn from South Africa, Gill Rebelo from Kenya, Annette Zondagh from South Africa, Delphine Dick from Zimbabwe, Alet Davy from Malawi, Dena Crain from Kenya, Roma Dunn from South Africa, Bev Rebelo from Zimbabwe, Doreen Crause from South Africa. Front row, left to right: Shan Day and Frances van Schalkwyk from South Africa.

Thanks, Jenny, for the use of your photos.

To all my fellow judges:  “Congratulations, ladies; well done!”

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July 9, 2011

Quilt Judge Certification–EARNED!

After two years of hard work, I am proud and pleased to announce that I am now an officially recognized quilt judge, certified by the South African Quilt Guild!

My thanks go to the South African Quilt Guild and especially to its judge certification tutors Sue Prins, Elsa Brits, Odette Tolksdorf and Jenny Hermans, who ably guided all the candidates through the homework written and practical assignments and two scholarly papers.

My congratulations go to my colleagues and new fellow judges:  Gill Rebelo from Kenya; Bev Rebelo, Coleen Thackery, and Delphine Dick from Zimbabwe; South African Alet Davy, now from Malawi; Doreen Crause, Annette Zondagh, Shan Day, Sheila Walwyn, Frances van Schalkwyk, and Roma Dunn–well done, everyone!!

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May 30, 2011

Quilt Judge Certification Program

Having completed all of the homework assignments and written two scholarly papers in partial fulfillment of the requirements for my quilt judge’s certification, I now look forward to completing the two-year program by attending the preliminary events leading up to the 16th South African National Quilt Festival.

16th South African National Quilt Festival

16th South African National Quilt Festival

Organized by the Good Hope Quilters’ Guild with sponsorship from Bernina (I am now sponsored by Bernina Kenya, too!), this event is the first of its kind since I was last in South Africa in 2008 for the 15th National Quilt Festival held in Gauteng, outside Johannesburg.  This Festival should have been held last year, in 2010, to keep to the schedule of holding Festivals every two years, moving from one of South Africa’s four (now five) largest cities each time.  Unfortunately for the quilters but fortunately for sports lovers, last year’s Festival had to be postponed until this year to accommodate the World Cup which was played in Cape Town.  This year’s Festival will be based in Stellenbosch, at the Bloemhof Girls’ High School.

The judge certification candidates begin their activities on Sunday, June 26, with a briefing meeting.  Judging of quilts entered in the competitions will take place during the week, with certification candidates serving as apprentices to the judges Jenny Hearn, Marline Turner and Trienie Krugel.  Over the years, I have come to meet and get to know all three of them, so I expect to feel right at home as I assist them in the work that must be done.  Hazelmay Duncan, Margaret le Roux, and Sheila Walwyn will be serving as jurors.

My fellow candidates and I are looking forward to a busy, interesting and fun week before the Festival, helping the judges and working to help hang the quilts on display.  My good friend Gill Rebelo and I will travel to South Africa together and a bit early so as to settle into the Stellenbosch area, do a bit of sightseeing and perhaps a little wine tasting (the region is known for its wines!).  As the week draws to a close, evening social events will help us all celebrate what we hope will be a most positive experience and launching of new career opportunities.  I will stay on for Odette Tolksdorf’s two-day workshop on African quilts, hoping to learn more from one of my colleagues about What Makes an African Quilt “African,” before returning to Kenya. Wish me luck, won’t you?!

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