Judged Show 2024
Entry Information and Rules
Updates to Rules for 2024:
Glitter (See Rule 29): Due to transfer issues with glitter, any glitter glued, sprayed, or applied onto any part of a quilt will cause the quilt to be disqualified.
If the fabric purchased has printed metallic on it that is flaking off, it will be disqualified.
Printed metallics and fabrics with metallic painted surfaces are acceptable as long as the metallic does not migrate to another surface from the surface to which it is applied. It is helpful, though not required, if the fabric name and manufacturer is listed under the materials section of the submission form.
Quilt Title (See Rule 30): The quilt title should be no more than 8 words.
Payment for quilting (See Rule 3): If you paid someone to quilt your quilt or to do any other work for payment of any kind, including a business arrangement, it is work-for-hire and is not allowed in this show.
Show Pick up has changed. (See Rule 17): Please read carefully and note the last date to request an in-person pickup at the convention center after the conclusion of the show. There will a $20 fee charged for quilts not actually picked up.
Personal Shipping Containers (See Rule 18): Special Exhibits has limited storage space. If an artist wants their original shipping container to be kept and used for the return shipping, there will be a $25 charge to keep each container. The artist will be sent an invoice. If the fee is not paid by September 3, 2024, the container will be thrown away.
Shipping your quilt (See Rule 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. Every effort 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 return shipped with quilts from a special exhibit.
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. (See Rule 22)
The Miniature Category has been eliminated. Quilts that are between 10" and 24" in width and/or length that were once considered miniature may be entered into another appropriate category.
Rules for Judged Show 2024
DATES: Please make note of the dates below.
Read the rules carefully.
If you have questions, please contact Special Exhibits at 713-781-6864, ext. 129 and or christap@quilts.com.
| May 30, 2024 | Online entry closes at 1:00pm CDT |
| By July 1, 2024 | Notifications emailed to all artists who submitted |
| August 1, 2024 | Last day to receive quilts in office – Contact us with any questions. |
| TBA | Notification of winners (ONLY winners are contacted.) |
| October 30, 2024 | Preview Night at International Quilt Festival |
| October 31 – November 3, 2024 | International Quilt Festival/Houston (quilts on display) |
| November 11, 2024– January 31, 2025 | Quilts packed & return shipped |
Quilts are to 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.
NOTIFICATIONS OF ACCEPTANCE OR DECLINE:
- An email will be sent to you by July 1, 2024.
- Please whitelist (add to your contact list) the email addresses calls@quiltfestivalcallforentries.com and/or christap@quilts.com
- If you do not receive an expected email, please check your spam or junk folder.
OBJECTIVES
The objectives of the Judged Show are to promote and encourage the art and appreciation of quiltmaking. We strive to encourage excellence in quiltmaking and to educate quilters and the general public by presenting the finest examples of traditional and contemporary quilts that can be produced by:
- Providing an exhibition and competition to spotlight the current work of quiltmakers.
- Rewarding excellence in design and craftsmanship through the presentation of awards based on qualified and impartial judging.
ENTRY FEES ARE $30 PER QUILT
CATEGORIES AND DEFINITIONS
- Finished quilts are to be entered for judging in the categories defined below.
- Special Exhibits, 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:
- 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. (See Rule 27)
- All entries must remain on display for the duration of the show.
Abstract
Quilts must be of original forms and compositions, interpretations of existing artwork in the public domain, or interpretations created with the original artist’s or photographer’s permission (See Rule 28). This category features abstract, cutting-edge, and non-literal art quilts with an emphasis on color, line, and design. Any design that yields an abstract image on a quilt’s surface would belong in this category. Quilts in this category may be any size within the rules.
Appliqué
Predominantly appliquéd quilts based on traditional style patterns and sets or those derived from fundamental changes to established patterns and sets. Quilts in this category may be any size within the rules.
Hand Quilted/Handmade
Any hand-quilted quilt may be entered into this category. Any quilt sewn completely by hand, with an exception allowed for the first stage of the binding and the backing seams, may also be entered here. Hand-quilted wholecloth quilts must be entered into this category. Quilts in this category may be any size within the rules.
Machine Quilting
Quilts in this category emphasize the quality of the quilting stitches and quilting pattern. Any quilt machine quilted on a stationary or frame-mounted machine may be entered in this category. Machine-quilted wholecloth quilts must be entered in this category. Quilts in this category may be any size within the rules.
Pictorial - Large
Quilts must be of original forms and compositions, interpretations of existing artwork in the public domain, or interpretations created with the original artist’s or photographer’s permission (See Rule 28). This category features any art quilt that illustrates a recognizable image, such as objects, still life, wildlife, cityscapes, etc. See size parameters for large quilts below.
Pictorial - Small
Quilts must be of original forms and compositions, interpretations of existing artwork in the public domain, or interpretations created with the original artist’s or photographer’s permission (See Rule 28). This category features any art quilt that illustrates a recognizable image, such as objects, still life, wildlife, cityscapes, etc. See size parameters for small quilts below.
Pieced
Predominantly pieced quilts based on traditional style patterns and sets or those derived from fundamental changes to established patterns and sets. Quilts in this category may be any size within the rules.
SIZE REQUIREMENTS
Width = side-to-side
Height = top-to-bottom
The maximum width and height for any quilt is 120 inches.
Large quilt: One width measurement + one height measurement of the quilt must exceed 120 in (305 cm), but not exceed 240 in (612 cm).
Small quilt: One width measurement + one height measurement of the quilt must not exceed 120 in (305 cm)
Pictorial is the only category divided into small and large. In all other categories, quilts may be any size within the rules.
Examples:
1. Side A (width) = 60 inches; Side B (height) = 60 inches; A + B = 120 inches = DOES NOT exceed 120 inches = Small
2. Side A (width) = 60 inches; Side B (height) = 61 inches; A + B = 121 inches = DOES exceed 120 inches = Large
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 that is 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.
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 30, 2024, at 1pm CDT
ENTRY FEES ARE $30 PER QUILT
1. Each entry must have been completed after January 1, 2022. 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 are submitting 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 in the show 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-style 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, entrant will be notified. In such cases, no fees will be refunded. Direct any questions to the Special Exhibit 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 longer than 86 inches (218 cm) 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 name 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 in order 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 every 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 August 3 through November 3, 2024. No quilt will be taken down before the end of Festival (Sunday, November 3, 2024, at 4:00 p.m.) Due to the large number of quilts exhibited, items not picked up at the convention center on November 3 will be shipped by January 31, 2025, unless special arrangements have been made.
17.Show pickup of a quilt is available.
- Arrangements must be made for show pickup by October 17, 2024.
- Additional pickup requests will not be accepted after October 17, 2024.
- Quilts will be available for pickup from 8pm through 9pm Sunday, November 3, 2024.
- 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. Special Exhibits has limited storage space. If an artist wishes for their original shipping container to be kept and used for the return shipping, there will be a $25 charge to keep each container. The artist will be sent an invoice. If the fee is not paid by September 3, 2024, the container will be thrown away.
19.Shipping to and from the show will be paid for by the artist.
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. Every effort 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 return shipped with 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 prior to 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. Winning quilts from Best of Show through Third Place in each category will be offered the opportunity to travel to other Quilts, Inc. show(s). On the submission form, please indicate if you will allow your quilt to travel. One venue will be the Texas Quilt Museum; other venues to be determined. Special exhibits and the Texas Quilt Museum will coordinate the permission forms and the paperwork. The winners will be contacted in September after the awards have been determined.
29. Due to transfer issues with glitter, any glitter glued, sprayed, or applied onto any part of a quilt will cause the quilt to be disqualified. If the fabric purchased has printed metallic on it that is flaking off, it will be disqualified. Printed metallics and fabrics with metallic painted surfaces are acceptable as long as the metallic does not migrate to another surface from the surface to which it is applied. It is helpful, though not required, if the fabric name and manufacturer is listed under the materials section of the submission form.
30. The quilt title should be no more than 8 words.
SAVING & SUBMITTING YOUR DIGITAL IMAGES
- Each entry requires you to upload one full view of the quilt and one detail view.
- The full view image must show all edges of the finished quilt.
- 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.
- Please crop the photo(s) so that there is minimal background.
- As our policy is to blind jury, you may not identify your photographs with a watermark or put your name on the photograph itself.
- Do not send photographs with ribbons or signs attached to the quilt.
- 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.
- 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.)
- Image size should not exceed 3MB.
- 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 some 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 you do, 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, 2024.
FINALIST’S LIABILITY/INSURANCE INFORMATION
Accepted quilts should be insured through the owner’s individual insurance company. An appraisal, done by an appraiser who is certified by a nationally recognized professional organization, is highly recommended but not required. Quilts, Inc. will insure each quilt from the time we receive the quilt until it is shipped back to the owner. In the event of a loss while your quilt is in our possession, our insurer will pay the Appraised Value, if available, or maximum of $500 for Large, or maximum of $300 for Small based on the size requirements in the rules. While Quilts, Inc. uses precautions to protect and safeguard each quilt after arrival and during exhibition, we will not be responsible for any other damage or loss.