Quilt Show Categories & Ribbons
All show entries need to be entered into one of the following categories. You have the option to have your entry judged and we encourage everyone to check the ‘Judged box’ on the entry form. The judges’ comments are confidential – what happens in Judging stays in Judging – and can be a great help in your development as an artist.
Entry Categories
Quilts
Traditional Pieced
Quilts emphasizing traditional construction methods and craftsmanship. Includes pieced blocks, medallion styles, and paper/foundation piecing. May be based on historic designs, traditional patterns, or well-known designs. Quilted by self or other. All sizes.
Modern
Quilts with an aesthetic inspired by modern design. May include use of bold color and/or prints, high contrast, graphic areas of solid color, improvisational piecing, minimalism, expansive negative space, and alternative grid work. Quilted by self or other. All sizes.
NOTE: Quilts in contemporary fabrics but utilizing traditional compositions should be entered in Pieced or another more appropriate category.
Applique
Quilts where applique, applied by hand or machine, is the major focus and construction of the entry. Quilted by self or other. All sizes.
Art
Quilts that are pictorial or abstract. May include traditional quilting techniques or using techniques such as textile, color or texture manipulation, or mixed media. Quilts will be judged 60% on design and 40% on workmanship. Quilt top design must be original to the entrant. Quilted by self or other. All sizes.
Special Techniques
Quilts in which technique is the main focus, such as photos, whole cloth, embroidery, heavy embellishment, surface design, crazy quilts, Kawandi, etc. No knitted, crocheted, or yoyo quilts. Quilted by self or other. All sizes.
Hand-Quilted
Quilt is hand-quilted by the entrant or group of quilters. May include traditional and big stitch. All sizes.
Group, Bee, or Round Robin
Quilt top made by two or more people. Quilted by self, group, or other. All sizes.
NOTE: In the case where multiple members have contributed to a quilt, this counts as one of the entries for only the originator of the quilt, rather than an entry for each member involved.
Upcycled Entries
Quilts that are constructed from approximately 75 percent thrifted, recycled, repurposed, or upcycled materials, i.e. worn clothing, curtains, bedding, leftover fabric scraps or discarded items such as packaging material. The remaining material would ideally be from your stash or the free table.
Garments, Bags, Totes, & Purses
Garments
Entries must qualify as clothing and may include Full Ensembles or Individual Pieces of Wearable Art. All entries must include an element of piecing, quilting, embroidery, embellishment, or hand dyed fabric. No knitted or crocheted items.
Bags, Totes, and Purses
A personal accessory designed to carry essential items. All entries must be sewn and constructed by the entrant.
Upcycled Entries
Garments that are constructed from approximately 75 percent thrifted, recycled, repurposed, or upcycled materials, i.e. worn clothing, curtains, bedding, leftover fabric scraps or discarded items such as packaging material. The remaining material would ideally be from your stash or the free table.
Special Entries
Youth – Not Judged
A quilt completed by a Junior Member, 17 years or younger, in any technique and any size.
NOTE: Alternatively, youth may become Junior Members and may enter in any judged categories.
Challenge Quilts – Not Judged
This year’s theme is No Rule(r)s.
Entry Guidelines and Additional Information can found here.
The guild will provide a kit of three donated fabrics to be used along with your own fabric/materials to complete your 20” x 20” quilt. The goal is to spark your creativity and challenge your thinking.
Maximum size is 20” x 20″.
Must have top/batting/backing quilt sandwich.
Only piecing can be used for the quilt top.
Ribbons
Ribbons for First, Second, Third, and Honorable Mention MAY be awarded in each category.
Additionally, we award special ribbons for the following:
- Exceptional Use of Color
- Outstanding Original Design
- Most Whimsical
- Best Embellishment
- Excellence in Hand Workmanship
- Excellence in Machine Quilting
- Judges’ Choice
- Viewers’ Choice (voted on by attendees at the show)
- Best of Show
Notes
- Only quilts, garments, and accessories made since the last quilt show are eligible for show entry.
- Judges reserve the right to not award every ribbon in every category.
- Many entries will fit more than one category. We ask you to make the selection, however, if any entry seems wildly out of place, the show committee and judges reserve the right to re-categorize quilts and to combine and eliminate categories as needed.
- Participation ribbons will be awarded to all quilts entered in the Youth category and they will not be judged, but junior members may enter and compete in any judged category.
- Non-judged entries will be exhibited with judged quilts. Non-judged quilts will be identified as “non-judged” on signage.
- Quilts included in Special Exhibits are not judged and are not eligible for ribbons.