Judging Philosopy

My judging philosophy is to acknowledge and encourage excellence in quilt design, workmanship and creativity through fair and knowledgeable judging. I want to educate quilters of all skill levels with insightful and encouraging comments to encourage them to do their best and to be proud of their accomplishments

My approach:

 

• Judging is a task best approached with humility, never to be arrogant and superior to the task at hand, but professional and consistent.
• I am committed to maintain the public interest in quilt making and to help upkeep the high standards, educating and encouraging quilters of all skill.
• I need to be informed, familiarizing myself with as many styles of quilting possible. I don’t expect to be an expert at them all, but at least to have the knowledge to recognize and evaluate them.
• When judging I’ll be impartial, open-minded, making hard choices and standing by them.

Quilt Assessment Service

Mari Strydom and Antoinette Kriel, SAQG National Judges, teamed up to help and empower quilters by offering a Quilt Assessment Service!

• We believe that judging is about educating and encouraging quilters of all skill levels, by being knowledgeable, fair and having respect for the craftsmanship and traditions of quilt-making.
• Being a quilt judge is a huge responsibility and needs to be taken seriously and done with integrity.
• We also believe that judging is a humbling experience and embraces empathy – to be aware of the many hours the quilter spent to create a quilt, willing to share, and learn from the comments offered by the judges.
• We believe in being objective and open-minded and in providing meaningful and positive feedback, for the ultimate goal must always be to help and encourage the quilt-maker!

By offering a Quilt Assessment Service we believe we can provide a valuable service to guild members and quilt artists who would like their work assessed in a non-threatening environment.  It can help the prospective entrant in a competition to assess the overall quality and standard of workmanship and design in his/her work.  This way the quilt-maker can be encouraged by successes and learn from mistakes to be better prepared when entering in the next show or National competition, or simply improve as a quilt-maker.

Quilters can expect an objective, constructive and informed assessment of their work in the form of written comments.  Advice can also be given on the possible category and/or style of the quilt.

To be of further service to your group or regional guild we are also available to be a Quilt Registrar or Quilt Keeper for a competition; to run a judging room; to serve as a juror or judge; to curate a show or exhibition; or to give talks, illustrated lectures or demonstrations to your local groups or regional guilds.

Contact us to enquire about this service.

Judging Portfolio

    2011 - Bloemfontein Regional Show: Scribe

   2015 - National Quilt Festival Bothashill: Scribe

   2016 – Accredited Regional Judge

   2016 - I’d Rather be Stitching Retreat Potchefstroom: Judge

   2016 - Noordwes Quilters’ Guild: Judge

   2016 - Diaz Quilters’ Guild Spring Show: Judge

   2017 - National Quilt Festival Port Elizabeth: Head scribe

   2017 – Paper: Conceptual Art Quilts and how to judge them

   2018 – Paper: The role of technology, specifically the computer and the internet, in modern day quilting.

   2018 – Accredited National Judge

   2018 - Hertzogville Regional Show: Judge

   2018 - Noordwes Quilters' Guild: Judge

   2018 - Outeniqua Quilters' Guild Show: Judge

   2018 - Diaz Quilters' Guild Spring Show: Judge

   2019 - Hertzogville Regional Show: Judge

   2019 - National Quilt Festival Johannesburg : Judge

   2020 - Regional Show Bloemfontein: Judge

   2022 - Regional Show Bloemfontein : Judge