Quilt Show Categories & Ribbons

All quilt entries need to be entered into one of the following categories. You have the option to have your quilt judged and we encourage everyone to tick the 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.

Categories

Traditional Pieced
Features “pieced” block formats. Includes medallion styles and paper/foundation piecing. Can be based on historic designs, made from commercial patterns or reproduced well-known designs with traditional construction methods and craftsmanship. Made and quilted by self or quilted by another. All sizes.

Modern
Quilts with an aesthetic inspired by modern design. May include use of bold color and/or prints, high contrast, and graphic areas of solid color, improvisational piecing, minimalism, expansive negative space, and alternating grid work. Quilted by self or other. All sizes.
NOTE: Quilts in contemporary fabrics but utilizing traditional compositions should be entered in Traditional Pieced or another more appropriate category.

Applique
Includes either machine or hand-layering of fabric where the quilt’s primary construction is applique. Quilted by self or other. All sizes.

Art
An exploration of a concept using such techniques as textile manipulation, color, texture, and mixed media. Must be original to the artist and quilted by self or quilt top may be original to the artist and quilted by another. All sizes.
NOTE: If your work will be judged, please mention your inspiration and intent of your artwork in your description which will be read to the judges. Quilts will be judged 60% on design and 40% on workmanship.

Special Techniques
Quilts in which technique is the main focus, such as photos, whole cloth, heavy embellishment, surface design, crazy quilts, etc. No knitted or crocheted quilts. Quilted by self or other. All sizes.

Hand-Quilted
Quilt is hand-quilted by the entrant or group of quilters. All sizes.

Group, Bee, or Round Robin
Quilt top made by two or more people. 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.

Wearables and Accessories
Items that can be worn or carried. May be Full Ensembles or Individual Articles of wearable art. No items constructed from kits allowed.
Must fit into one of the following categories:
• Garments: traditional construction using non-upcycled materials.
• Upcycled Garment: made from materials reused in such a way as to create a product of higher quality than the original materials.
• Bags, Totes, etc.: any sewn container for carrying items.

Youth – Display Only
A quilt completed by a Junior Member, 18 years or younger, in any technique and any size.
NOTE: Alternatively, Junior Members may enter their quilt and compete in any judged category.

Challenge Quilts – Display Only
This year’s theme is Challenging Fabrics. 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. A limited number of kits will be available starting at the October 2024 meeting. And, in the spirit of Laraine Salmon’s fabulous challenge themes and her award winning quilts, there will be a Viewer’s Choice category specifically for Challenge Quilts at the upcoming show.

Ribbons

Ribbons for First, Second, and Third and Honorable Mention MAY be awarded in each category.

Additionally, we award special ribbons for the following:

  • Best Use of Color
  • Best Original Design
  • Most Whimsical
  • Best Embellishment
  • Excellence in Hand Workmanship
  • Judges’ Choice
  • Viewers’ Choice (voted on by attendees at the show)
  • Best of Show

Notes

  • Only quilts, wearables, 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.