QuiltCon Quilt Show Rules

QuiltCon 2025 includes a juried quilt show featuring modern quilts made by members of The Modern Quilt Guild. Quilts may be submitted by the entrant for exhibit only or entered into the competition for judging. Please read all rules carefully before filling out the online entry form, which opens Sept. 1, 2024, and closes Oct. 31, 2024, 11:59 p.m. EDT. Entrants are welcome to enter as many quilts as they would like, but a maximum of four quilts per submitting person will be accepted into the show.

Submit A Quilt

Categories

There are several categories in the QuiltCon 2025 quilt show. Please carefully read the category descriptions and evaluate the strongest aspects of the quilt being entered in order to place it into the category that fits it best. With the exception of categories with specific requirements, a quilt will not be moved from the category chosen by the entrant.

Please note: The MQG retains the right to change the category to which a quilt is submitted based on the requirements for Small Quilts, Group or Bee, Youth, and Challenge categories.

Categories with specific requirements: 

Entries will be automatically moved in or out of these categories based on the requirements

Group or Bee Quilts

Any modern quilt made by three or more people.

Small Quilts

Any modern quilt with a total perimeter of 119″ or less. The quilt can be any shape as long as it does not exceed the size limit.

Fabric Challenge

Quilts must use at least 3 of the 6 challenge fabrics. The challenge is open to individuals or groups.

Quilting Challenge

Quilts must use transparency in design/piecing. The challenge is open to individuals or groups. The challenge is open to individuals or groups.

MQG Member Exhibit

Quilts must use strictly low volume fabrics. This non-judged exhibit is open to individuals only.

Youth

Entrants must be 18 years or younger at the time of entry. The majority of the work (70% or more) on quilts in this category must be completed by youth makers, this includes groups of youth makers working together. There is no minimum size, and the quilt must not have a total perimeter more than 376″ and no single side longer than 94″. (Quilter is excluded from the age requirement.) *updated 6/19/2021 to include groups in the Youth category

 

 

General Categories

The entrant chooses the category that best fits the entry. Entries must be larger than 120” total perimeter and made by fewer than three people.

Appliqué

The quilt includes either machine or hand layering of fabric where the quilt’s primary focus is appliqué.

Handwork

The quilt includes at least one element of handwork that is the focus of the quilt, including, but not limited to: hand piecing, hand quilting, embroidery, redwork, cross-stitch, crewel, etc. Hand-stitched binding alone does not qualify as handwork.

Improvisation

The majority of the piecing in the quilt top is done improvisationally, without the use of a defined pattern or templates.

Minimalist Design

The design of the quilt emphasizes extreme simplification of content and form to achieve maximum visual impact.

Use of Negative Space

Quilt design incorporates a creative use of negative space integrated into the composition of the quilt.

 
Piecing

The quilt incorporates skilled and/or creative use of machine or hand piecing as a primary focus of the quilt.

Modern Traditionalism

The quilt design incorporates the use of an identifiable traditional block pattern and reimagines it by applying elements of modern design such as asymmetry, color, scale, etc.

Prizes & Awards

Winning quilts will receive awards and prizes from our generous sponsors. Ribbons and cash prizes will be given for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in each category. All judged quilts are also eligible for the following overall awards: Best in Show, Best Machine Quilting, Best Hand Quilting, Best Original Modern Design, MQG Award of Excellence, and People’s Choice.

The awards ceremony will be held on Wednesday, February 19, 2025.

General Rules

  • Entry is open to all members of The Modern Quilt Guild in any country.
  • All quilts entered into QuiltCon must meet the following requirements:
  1. Have a minimum of three layers (backing, batting, and top) joined together with stitching.
  2. Have a finished edge (such as binding or facing).
  3. Have a total perimeter of not more than 376″ with no single side longer than 94″.
  4. Have been made in the last three years (2022, 2023, 2024).
  5. Have not previously been shown at any in-person QuiltCon event.
  6. Have not been awarded a ribbon during QuiltCon Together.
  • Only quilts may be entered into QuiltCon. Quilted items will be disqualified without refund.
  • Entries without complete entry forms will be disqualified.
  • All entry information is final. No changes to titles, pricing, artist statements, and the like will be accepted.
  • Each quilt may only be entered in one category. The same quilt may not be entered in multiple categories in the same year.
  • Each individual quilt is its own entry. Diptychs, triptychs, etc. may not be entered as one entry. If entered in multiple entries, they will be evaluated separately and hung separately.
  • All individuals who worked on the design or construction of the entry, whether paid or not, must be properly credited (excluding basting assistance).
  • The number of quilters for each category are limited to: Two or fewer for Appliqué, Handwork, Improvisation, Minimalist Design, Small Quilts, Use of Negative Space, Piecing, and Modern Traditionalism. Three or more for Group or Bee. Any number for the Fabric Challenge, Quilting Challenge, and Youth.
  • All accepted quilts (unless designated as “for exhibit only”) will be eligible to win the following awards: Best in Show, Best Machine Quilting, Best Hand Quilting, Best Original Modern Design, MQG Award of Excellence, and People’s Choice.
  • Judges, members of The Modern Quilt Guild Board of Directors, and employees of the MQG are eligible to enter for exhibit only and are not eligible to win any award or prize. Entries marked for exhibit only may still receive feedback from the judges if the entrant selects this option on the entry form.
  • Employees of sponsors are not eligible to win an award or prize sponsored by their employer but may enter the sponsored category for exhibit only.
  • The MQG reserves the right to reject or disqualify:
  • Any quilts that are in visibly poor condition, including, but not limited to, torn fabric, stains, strong scents, poor craftsmanship, or unfinished quilts.
  • Any quilt they deem to be misrepresented in the photos during the entry process.
  • Any quilt in which the MQG deems design credit to be misrepresented. If this misrepresentation is discovered after the show and the quilt was awarded, the winner forfeits all ribbons and cash prizes.

Any quilt that is rejected or disqualified by the MQG will not be judged, eligible for ribbons or cash prizes, or displayed in the quilt show. Misrepresenting a quilt on the entry form may result in the quilter being banned from QuiltCon submissions for the subsequent year.

  • There are no refunds on entry fees once a quilt has been submitted.
  • The decisions of the show organizers, jury, and judges are final.
  • The MQG does not discriminate against entrants based on race, sex, age, disability, religion, national or ethnic origins, sexual orientation, marital status, or any other protected status.
  • All federal, state, and local taxes are the sole responsibility of the winners. All US-based winners will be required to submit an IRS form w-9 to receive their cash awards.
  • Accepted quilts will need to have a 4" hanging sleeve attached prior to shipment. All quilt preparation instructions are sent to accepted quilts with their accepted notice.

Photos

During the online entry process, entrants will be required to submit two photos of the quilt being entered. One overall flat front, and one detail shot. On the overall shot, the edges of the quilt must be visible to assess binding/finishing. Failure to show the quilt’s edges will result in immediate disqualification of the entry.

Images must be saved as .jpg files. The shortest side must be 1200 pixels minimum, and file sizes must be less than 5 MB.

Release

During the online entry process, you will be asked to agree to these conditions:

  • I have read and understand the entry rules and understand the decisions by the jury and judges are final.
  • I understand that the MQG will make every effort to ensure the quilt remains clean and in the condition it arrived, however, there is some small risk that stains could happen, especially during shipping and transit, and I accept those risks.
  • I understand that the MQG will take every reasonable precaution to safeguard the quilts during this show, but the MQG will not be held liable for damage or loss beyond insurance limitations.
  • If my quilt(s) is/are juried into QuiltCon, I agree to read and abide by all guidelines in the Acceptance Packet including but not limited to: quilt preparation, shipping instructions, and deadlines. I acknowledge that if my quilt arrives past the deadline it may be returned to me without being judged or exhibited.
  • I understand that the MQG will not file claims with shipping providers. Any pursuit of issues regarding shipping is solely between the quilt sender (submitter), who will have standing as a claimant, and the shipping company.
  • The MQG reserves the right to disqualify any quilt that it deems to be misrepresented and winners will forfeit any ribbons and/or prizes.
  • By entering QuiltCon, I agree to release and hold harmless the MQG, and its respective directors, officers, employees, representatives, agents, and prize sponsors from any and all liability for any injuries, loss, or damage of any kind to person or property, including death, arising in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, by acceptance, possession, use, or misuse of a prize, participation in any QuiltCon show-related activity, or participation in QuiltCon.
  • The entrant represents and warrants to the MQG that the entrant’s entry does not infringe upon, violate, or misappropriate any copyright or other intellectual property or proprietary right of a third party. The entrant agrees to hold harmless, defend, and indemnify the MQG, and their respective employees, officers, directors, agents, assigns, and successors, from and against any and all third party claims, suits, actions, proceedings, and demands (“Claim”), and any and all liabilities losses, damages, settlements, fines, penalties, costs, and expenses (including attorneys’ fees), based upon, arising out of or resulting from any actual or alleged breach by the entrant of the foregoing representation and warranty; provided, however, that The Modern Quilt Guild and QuiltCon with all reasonable promptness will notify the entrant of any Claim that may involve the entrant.
  • By entering QuiltCon, the entrant agrees to grant the MQG and, if awarded a prize, the sponsor company of the category entered, and their licensees, affiliates, and assigns, a nonexclusive worldwide perpetual license to use images of the quilt and/or all or part of the information about the quilt in any medium now known or later developed, including archives, articles, ads, promotions, catalogs, books, magazines, websites, blogs, recordings, news coverage, television productions, and/or multimedia productions for or about the MQG and/or quilting. The Entrant understands that they will retain the copyright to the quilt and that the MQG will use reasonable efforts to ensure that entrant is credited in any usage but will not be compensated for the above uses.
  • Winners also agree to grant to the MQG and the sponsor company of the prize category and its licensees, affiliates, and assigns, the right to print, publish, broadcast, and use, worldwide in any media now known or hereafter developed, including but not limited to the World Wide Web, at any time or times, the winner’s name, portrait, picture, voice, likeness, and biographical information for purposes of news or information and/or for advertising and promotional purposes without additional consideration.

Submission Fees:

The submission fee for the QuiltCon Quilt Show is $20 per quilt. You may enter as many quilts as you would like. Be aware that a maximum of four quilts can be accepted for each member (exclusive of group quilts in which the member participated but was not the submitter). The entry fee is non-refundable.

Shipping Fees for Accepted Quilts:

Accepted quilts will be assessed a shipping fee for return shipping. Fees will be a flat rate, $20 for the first quilt, and $10 for each additional quilt, for a maximum fee of $50 per maker.

Selling Your Quilt

You have the option to offer your quilt for sale at QuiltCon. If you do and it sells at QuiltCon, you cannot retroactively decide not to sell it, and you will receive your fees by the end of March. If your quilt sells and you wish to recoup your return shipping fee in lieu of donating it to The Modern Quilt Guild, you must email quiltshow@themodernquiltguild.com before the end of March to make the request. You also agree that 15% of the sale price will be donated to The Modern Quilt Guild. 

Important Dates

Call for entries is open from September 1, 2024 – October 31, 2024, 11:59 p.m. EDT. 

Notification emails of quilt status will be sent no later than the week of December 11, 2024.

The awards ceremony will be held on Wednesday, February 19, 2025.