Judged Show 2025

Entry Information and Rules

 

INTRODUCTION AND PURPOSE 

The International Quilt Festival Judged Show is committed to providing quilters worldwide the opportunity to show their quilts, grow their quilting expertise, and find inspiration as they strive to achieve a high level of excellence in originality, design, and execution. The competition allows quilters to share their work, which ultimately motivates others. The judge’s critiques will provide a thoughtful and honest evaluation of the finalists, which in turn, will help each person in their quilting journey. All quilters are urged to submit entries. All entries have a chance to be on display!

A jury panel comprised of three expert quilters will evaluate all digital submissions. Their task is to select the finalists for the show by reviewing all entries that are submitted. Finalists send their quilts to be judged by a panel of three judges. Each judged quilt receives a written evaluation.

The judging criteria are based on visual impact, originality, well-balanced design, use of color, and the integration of all design elements. Evaluations will consider fabric choices and the level of technical excellence executed on all techniques. The appropriateness, quantity, and quality of quilting are also considered. Finally, a well-finished quilt is vital; therefore, the choice of edge treatment and the execution of the finished edges are also evaluated. Above all, quilters are simply urged to do their best and grow from being a part of this legendary quilt show.

 

 TIMELINE (Please mark your calendar): 

  • May 15, 2025: Online entry closes at 1:00 pm CDT
  • June 19, 2025: Notifications e-mailed to all entrants
  • July 9, 2025: Last day to receive quilts in office – contact us with any questions
  • TBA: Notification of winners (ONLY winners are contacted)
  • October 8, 2025: Preview Night at International Quilt Festival
  • October 9–12, 2025: International Quilt Festival/Houston (quilts on display)
  • October 20–November 21, 2025: Quilts packed & return shipped

If you have questions, contact Special Exhibits at 713-781-6864, ext. 129, or email christap@quilts.com. 

 

NOTIFICATIONS OF ACCEPTANCE OR DECLINE:

  • An email will be sent to you by June 19, 2025
  • Please whitelist (add to your contact list) the following email addresses: calls@quiltfestivalcallforentries.com and christap@quilts.com.
  • If you do not receive an expected email, please check your spam or junk folder.
  • Do not send quilts before notification of acceptance.

ENTRY FEE

A non-refundable fee of $30 (USD) will be paid per quilt entered 

 

CATEGORIES AND DEFINITIONS

  • Finished quilts should be entered for judging in the categories defined below.
  • Special Exhibits and its jurors or judges reserve the right to move an entry to a category other than the one in which it was entered without notifying the entrant.
  • Final placement will be at the discretion of the judges.

 PLEASE NOTE:

  • The copyright release rule (Rule 27) applies to all quilts in the show.
  • All entries must remain on display for the duration of the show.
  • If you paid someone to quilt your quilt or to do any other work on the quilt, this is work-for-hire and is not allowed in this show. (See Rule 3)

The following statement applies to all categories marked with an asterisk (*):

Quilts must be of original forms and compositions, interpretations of existing artwork in the public domain, or interpretations created with the original artist’s, designer’s, or photographer’s written permission. (See Rule 27)

Abstract*

This category features abstract, cutting-edge, and non-literal quilts emphasizing color, line, and design. Quilts in this category may be any size within the rules.

Alternative Techniques

Quilts that have a dominant impact using techniques that are not outlined in the other categories. These may include whole cloth, crazy quilts, embroidery, and fabric manipulation (such as Cathedral Window-style quilts, fabric weaving, etc.). Sharp (potentially damaging) objects on these quilts are not allowed. All construction techniques must be secure, and all embellishments firmly attached. Quilts in this category may be any size within the rules.

Animal Kingdom*

Quilts entered in this category should feature warm or cold-blooded animals or creatures as the primary focus. Quilts in this category may be any size within the rules.

Appliqué

Quilts in this category should be predominantly appliquéd (more than 50%) with any appliqué technique. Quilts may be based on traditional style patterns and sets or may deviate from tradition. Quilts in this category may be any size within the rules.

Balanced Piecing & Appliqué

Quilts that are an evenly balanced combination of both piecing and appliqué. Quilts in this category may be any size within the rules.

Handmade

Quilts in this category must be sewn by hand except for the first stage of the binding and the backing seams. Quilts in this category may be any size within the rules.

Naturescape*

This category illustrates aspects of natural scenery in natural surroundings, etc. Creatures and animals may be a component but should not be the primary focus of the quilt. Quilts in this category may be any size within the rules.

People, Portraits, and Figures*

The quilts in this category must illustrate some recognizable aspect of the human form as the primary focus of the quilt. Quilts in this category may be any size within the rules.

Pictorial*

This category features any art quilt that illustrates a recognizable image (objects, still life, cityscapes, etc.). You may enter your quilt here if it combines aspects of the other art categories. Quilts in this category may be any size within the rules.

Pieced

Quilts in this category should be predominantly pieced (more than 50%). Quilts may be based on traditional style patterns and sets or may deviate from tradition. Quilts in this category may be any size within the rules.

 

SIZE REQUIREMENTS

Width = side-to-side

Height = top-to-bottom

There is no minimum width and height for any quilt in the show.

The maximum width and height for any quilt is 120 inches.

 

OTHER DEFINITIONS

Original

A work composed firsthand – a fresh design or style. A creation produced requiring thought, without replicating the works of others.

False Back

A false back is an extra backing fabric added to cover the back of a quilt. It prevents the quilting stitches from being seen when viewed from the back. False backs are not allowed in the show.

Kit Quilts

Composed of patterns, fabrics, and quilting designs packaged as a unit for retail sale. This includes packaged patterns and fabrics for workshops or classes, blocks of the month, and pre-printed wholecloth quilt tops. These are not allowed in the show. Reproductions or adaptations of kit quilts will not be accepted.

PLEASE NOTE: You may use a pattern from a kit in a non-art category/non-art quilt; but you may not use fabrics kitted with the pattern. We want to see your interpretation of the pattern.

Work-for-Hire

Any work done for payment of any kind, including a business arrangement. This is not allowed in the show.

Pre-Quilted Fabrics

Fabric that is quilted at the time of purchase. This type of fabric cannot be used.

 

RULES 

ENTRY DEADLINE: May 15, 2025, at 1 pm CDT

ENTRY FEES ARE $30 PER QUILT

1. Each entry must have been completed after January 1, 2023. Quilts that have been altered, amended, or modified at any date after completion will be required to retain the original completion date.

2. You may enter up to three (3) quilts to be juried for the show. If you are the second quiltmaker on a two-person quilt, it counts as one of your entries. If you submit the entry for a group, it counts as one of your entries; however, if you are a participant in the group, it does not.

3. Quilts that have been made by two or more people (including quilting stitches) may be entered and must be a collaboration between the artists and not a business arrangement or part of a work-for-hire agreement. (See definitions) All quiltmakers must be named. 

4. The majority of the quilt must consist of three (3) distinct layers—top, middle layer, and backing. Quilts must be quilted by hand and/or machine with three exceptions—Crazy quilts, which can be tied or quilted, Cathedral Windows quilts, and Yo-Yo quilts.

5. No rods may be sewn into the sleeves of the quilts.

6. No rigid frames, rods, or mounting devices, and no special lighting may accompany quilts. 

7. Quilts that require special handling will not be accepted. Your quilt must be able to be stacked with other quilts and boxed and/or rolled with other quilts without potential damage to your quilt or any other quilt in the show. This determination is at the sole discretion of Special Exhibits and can result in disqualification from exhibition. If this is the case, the entrant will be notified. In such cases, no fees will be refunded. Direct any questions to the Special Exhibits office.

8. Odd-shaped quilts and quilts with multiple panels must be mounted on black fabric containing a sleeve (see rules 9 & 10). The top half of these quilts must be sewn securely to the black fabric. The bottom half should be loose so the judges can examine the back of the quilt. The black fabric must not extend past the outermost edges of your quilt. (Quilts with multiple panels hanging side-by-side horizontally may be mounted to a single black sleeve, but the quilt measurements should be taken after the sleeve is added.)

9. A 4-inch (10 cm) full-length double sleeve must be attached to the top of the back of the quilt for display. (Instructions are on our website. You can link to them here.)

10. Any quilt measuring less than or equal to 24 inches x 24 inches (60.5 cm x 60.5 cm) may use a 2-inch (5 cm) sleeve. Direct any questions to the Special Exhibits office.

11. Any quilt measuring more than 86 inches (218 cm) in height must have a second double 4-inch (10 cm) sleeve sewn to the full width of the quilt below the top sleeve, as follows. The top of the second sleeve should be between 82 inches (208 cm) and 86 inches (218 cm) from the BOTTOM of the quilt and must not overlap the top sleeve. (If your quilt is more than 86 inches (218 cm) in length, your quilt will be folded over at the top and will be hung using the second sleeve. You can link to instructions for a second sleeve here.) Quilts without the proper sleeve are subject to disqualification. Direct any questions to the Special Exhibits office.

12. Quilts must be labeled at the bottom of the back. The left corner is preferred. It must include the title of the quilt and the contact information for the quiltmaker(s). Please safety pin or partially baste a cloth cover over your name on the label on the back of your quilt to preserve anonymity for judging. If your name appears on the front of your quilt, please safety pin a piece of cloth over it. This will be removed after judging.

13. All quilts must arrive clean, undamaged, and free of strong odors to be judged and shown. Special Exhibits reserves the right to omit an entry from judging or display if the quality or condition does not meet standards upon hands-on inspection.

14. Special Exhibits reserves the right to omit from exhibition any accepted piece that differs dramatically from what is represented by the entry visuals. If this is the case, the entrant will be notified. In such cases, no fees will be refunded. The decision as to whether the difference is significant is entirely at the discretion of Special Exhibits.

15. Entrants should make a reasonable effort to choose the proper category; however, Special Exhibits and its jurors and judges reserve the right to move an entry to a category other than the one in which it was entered without notifying the entrant. Final placement will be at the discretion of the judges.

16. Your accepted quilt must be available for judging and display from July 9 through October 12, 2025. No quilt will be taken down before the end of Festival (Sunday, October 12, 2025, at 4:00 p.m.) Due to the large number of quilts exhibited, items not picked up at the convention center on October 12, 2025, will be shipped by November 21, 2025, unless special arrangements have been made.

17. Show pickup of a quilt is available.

  • Arrangements must be made for show pickup by September 12, 2025
  • Additional pickup requests will not be accepted after September 12, 2025
  • Quilts will be available for pickup from 8 pm through 9 pm Sunday, October 12, 2025
  • Any quilts specifically pulled but not picked up on Sunday will be subject to an extra $20.00 handling fee applied at the time of shipping or paid before office pickup.

18. The Special Exhibits Department has limited storage space. If an artist wishes for their original shipping container to be kept and used for return shipping, there will be a $25 charge to keep each container in addition to the handling fee. The artist will be sent an invoice. If the fee is not paid by August 1, 2025, the container will be discarded.

19. Shipping costs to and from the show will be paid by the entrant

20. If you are entering more than one quilt, each quilt must be shipped individually to the show due to the logistics of the judging process. Reasonable efforts will be made to return ship all Judged Show entries by a single artist in the same return shipping box. At that time, an invoice will be sent to the artist, as the return shipping link charges for one quilt only. Judged Show quilts cannot be returned in the same box as quilts from a special exhibit.

21. Return shipping will include a handling fee of $20 (USD) to cover the cost of the labor to pack the quilt, a new shipping box, acid-free paper, and a plastic bag to protect the quilt. Payment arrangements will be addressed in the acceptance letter. A link to make the payment will be sent before the end of the show.

22. Return shipping labels from UPS, Federal Express or other shipping companies will not be accepted. Most shipping labels are void after 30 days, and this time frame does not fit our shipping schedule.

23. Any Customs fees and taxes assessed when the quilt is returned are to be paid by the artist. If we incur customs expenses due to a decision on your part to declare the customs value of your quilt, you will need to reimburse us for any such expense.

24. All decisions of the jurors and judges are final. Special Exhibits reserves the right to decline any entry, including those that fail to follow the quilt contest rules.

25. All prizes will be issued in the name of the submitting entrant for disbursement. Only one prize ribbon will be awarded per quilt. If a two-person or group quilt wins one of the top six named awards, only the submitting artist will receive a check.

26. IRS requires that a 1099 form be filed for all entrants winning $600.00 or more. Prize money will be released after completion of the form.

27. It is the entrant’s responsibility to obtain all necessary copyright releases for work that is covered under the copyright laws of the United States. This may include work derived from, or copied from, the photo or art of another, quilts made from patterns, etc. You must also give proper credit for the design on the entry form. Entrant will provide Special Exhibits with a copy of the copyright release upon request.

28. The quilt title should be no more than 8 words.

29. Due to transfer issues, any glitter glued, sprayed, or applied onto any part of a quilt will cause the quilt to be disqualified. If any fabric purchased and used has printed metallic on it that is flaking off, it will be disqualified. Printed metallics and fabrics with metallic painted surfaces are acceptable if the metallic does not migrate to another surface from the surface to which it was applied. It is helpful, though not required, for the fabric name and manufacturer to be listed under the materials section of the submission form.

 

SAVING & SUBMITTING YOUR DIGITAL IMAGES

  1. Each entry requires you to upload one full view of the quilt and one detail view.
  2. The full-view image must show all edges of the finished quilt.
  3. For the detail image, take a separate photograph. Do not enlarge a portion of the overall photograph, as it will pixelate. Try to show a portion of the quilt that relates to the category and/or an important part of the quilt, as well as some of the quilting stitches.
  4. Please crop the photo(s) so that there is minimal background.
  5. As our policy is to blind jury, you may not identify your photographs with a watermark or put your name on the photograph itself.  
  6. Do not send photographs with ribbons or signs attached to the quilt.
  7. If you open your photos in image-editing software to crop the background, you will be asked how to save the photo when you are done. Save as a JPEG, RGB color (the default setting in most image-editing programs), standard or baseline setting, and set the quality to maximum. No CMYK images or progressive setting JPEGs will be accepted.
  8. The finished image should be at least 2400 pixels on the longest side (If your image has less than 2400 pixels on the longest side, do not increase it within the software program. Instead, take another picture that has a higher resolution.) 
  9. Image size should not exceed 3MB.
  10. There is no requirement to label the image file names. The system will automatically rename them after they are uploaded.

For more photography tips and additional resources, please go to our website at www.quilts.com or click here.

SELLING YOUR QUILT

You may choose to offer your quilt for sale while on exhibition. If it sells, 25% of the selling price will be donated to the Texas Quilt Museum. The Museum is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Please check with your tax advisor for information on how to deduct the donation. Payment will be made by December 31, 2025.

FINALIST’S LIABILITY/INSURANCE INFORMATION

Accepted quilts should be insured through the owner’s insurance company. Quilts, Inc. will insure each quilt from the time we receive it until it ships from our office as follows: a maximum of $125 for Miniature Quilts, $300 for Small Quilts, and $500 for Large Quilts based on the sizes outlined below.

Quilts, Inc. shall not be held liable for any damages or loss beyond the insurance limitations specified. Furthermore, such insurance shall be the sole remedy of the entrant.

Miniature quilts: Quilts that measure less than or equal to 24 inches (61 cm) on each side

Small quilts: Quilts that do not fall within the miniature definition AND one height measurement + one width measurement of the quilt must not exceed 120 inches (305 cm)

Large quilts: One height measurement + one width measurement of the quilt must be greater than 120 inches (305 cm), but not greater than 240 inches (612 cm). The total width must not exceed 120 inches (305 cm).

 Examples:

  1. Side A (width) = 60 inches; Side B (height) = 60 inches; A + B = 120 inches = DOES NOT exceed 120 inches = Small
  1. Side A (width) = 60 inches; Side B (height) = 61 inches; A + B = 121 inches = DOES exceed 120 inches = Large