Meet Our Judges
Bringing years of experience, knowledge, and a keen eye for detail to the Quilt Plano Show.
The Standard of Excellence
At the Quilt Plano Show, we take great pride in the quality and expertise of our judging panel. Whether you’re entering your quilt into the competition or simply attending the show, you’ll appreciate the care and attention that goes into evaluating each piece.
Our judges come from diverse backgrounds in the quilting world. Each brings a unique perspective, ensuring that every quilt is judged fairly and with attention to its specific technique and style.
The 2026 Judging Panel
Here’s a look at the experts who will be evaluating quilts at this year’s show.
Sherry Massey
Sherry Massey embarked on her quilting journey in 1980. With numerous quilts to her credit, she holds the distinction of being Oklahoma’s first NACQJ Certified Judge. She is a member of the Edmond Quilt Guild, having served as the chairman of the Edmond Quilt Festival and most recently as judging coordinator, a role that offers both educational value and personal fulfillment. Her quilts have been juried into the Paducah Fall Show and the Houston International Quilt Show. Additionally, she is an active participant in a small group dedicated to creating quilts for Boys’ Ranch Town.
As an NACQJ certified quilt judge, Sherry is committed to using her extensive experience and training to deliver objective, encouraging, and constructive feedback on all quilt submissions. Her primary objectives include recognizing creativity and skill while offering impartial guidance on future design choices when appropriate. She approaches her judging responsibilities with passion and enthusiasm, adhering to NACQJ standards and ethics, continuing her professional development, and contributing positively to the advancement of the art of quilting.
CJ Jackie Ruffing
As a Certified Judge with NACQJ, Jackie has enjoyed sewing since she was very young, taking sewing classes with her mom while living in Japan. In 1972, she was introduced to quilts when her grandfather gave her a quilt that was pieced and quilted by her great grandmother. Once she saw the variety of fabrics framed with purple sashings, she was hooked.
Her desires to learn more led her to drafting patterns, hand quilting, to domestic machine quilting and then to her longarm machine. In 2001, she started her own quilting business and gradually through the years, found the joy in competition quilting with her own and her customer’s quilts. She personally has won several awards for her quilts and quilting skills, including Best of Show, Exemplary Quilting Awards, along with her customer’s receiving local, regional, and national awards.
After 21 years, she put her business on hold to focus on the certification process as a certified judge with NACQJ. She has completed the program and has been designated as NACQJ Certified Judge. Before going through the certification process, Jackie would have said traditional quilts caught her heart. The certification process has broadened her appreciation for all genres and techniques. Today, Jackie finds inspiration in every corner of the quilting world. She hopes her comments when judging will reflect her desire to inspire and encourage quilt makers of all levels and to explore their creativity without any boundaries.
Quilt Categories & Criteria
Understanding what our judges look for in each specific category.
Traditional Quilts
Focuses on established patterns and methods (e.g., Log Cabin, Double Wedding Ring). Judges look for precision in piecing and adherence to traditional rules.
Art Quilts
An experimental category using textiles for artistic expression. Judges evaluate technical skill alongside conceptual depth and originality.
Appliqué Quilts
Judged heavily based on the quality of the appliqué work itself, including smooth curves, sharp points, and even, invisible stitching.
Modern Quilts
Emphasizes simplicity, clean lines, bold designs, and innovative use of color or negative space to create striking visual impact.
How Judging Works
The Judging Process
Every single entry undergoes a systematic and rigorous evaluation. Each quilt is carefully reviewed by our panel, ensuring that all aspects—from construction and technique to design and impact—are considered fairly against the category standards.
Feedback for Entrants
We believe the judging process should be an educational experience. Our judges provide constructive comments on the back of every entry form. This personalized feedback is designed to help quilters refine their skills and improve their craft for the future.