ENTRY FORM 2024

Entrants to this category should have been quilting for fewer than three years. Pieces entered into this category should have been completed within the last 2 years and must not have been previously exhibited as part of any event, exhibition or gallery. Previous 1st, 2nd and 3rd prize winners of the Novice category are not eligible to enter.Entrants should not hold a formal qualification in a textiles or related subject.

Quilts with both a strong visual impact and a high quality of execution designed to be displayed as artwork and communicating an idea, emotion or concept through the medium of textile and stitch. The design must be original.

Quilts that draw on the traditions of quilt making, through piecing, appliqué or wholecloth, but have an original approach. Makers may use non-traditional fabrics, fabric printing and dyeing, embellishment and unusual construction methods. Quilts should have an original design and demonstrate sure use of colour. They may be sewn by hand, machine or any combination.

For quilts using a traditional design or pattern. Quilts may be wholecloth, pieced and quilted, appliqué and quilted, or a combination of piecing, appliqué and quilting. Quilting may be hand, machine or a combination.

For quilts that are minimalist with clean, modern design and a strong visual impact. They often use asymmetry, improvisational piecing, a reinterpretation of traditional blocks or the lack of a visible block structure. A feeling of space is often achieved by the use of negative space. They are machine or hand quilted in a way that is sympathetic to the design.

A single quilt made by more than two makers (including schools and groups of young quilters). Panels entered into this category must be joined together in some way, e.g. joined with tape or sharing a single hanging sleeve to become one quilt (rather than a series of pieces). Please note all 3D work should be entered into the Quilt Creations category. If you are entering for a School or group of under 18s, please ensure you tick the box below to indicate this.

For quilts made by two makers using any technique, to include quilting (hand, machine, long-arm or a combination). Participants must declare whether their quilt is the result of pure collaboration or was professionally long armed. The services of the same professional quilter may be used by more than one entrant in this category.

Quilts depicting a scene or subject eg: people, animal, flowers etc. as the main body of the quilt. A figurative or representational piece.

Maximum size of 30cms on the longest side. Use any technique or combination of techniques. In a photo of the finished piece (with no indication of scale) the miniature should look like a full-size quilt or wall hanging.

All entries in this category must qualify as clothing, wearable art or three-dimensional pieces. 3D items (this does not include double sided quilts) must have length, breadth and depth. This can be made by an individual or a group. For this category, hanging instructions MUST be sent with your entry

For the purpose of this competition, a sustainable quilt is defined as a quilt which has been made with minimal negative impact on the environment. At least 75% of the fabric used within the piece must be re-purposed from materials including functional textiles (eg curtains, clothing or bedding) and discarded items (eg packaging). The remaining 25% would ideally be organic fabrics and / or taken from your stash rather than bought new. The maker should use biodegradable or recycled materials wherever possible (eg wadding and thread) or materials made from sustainable and natural sources (such as bamboo).
Judges will take the design, composition and execution into account, but the emphasis will be on the sustainability of the piece. Entrants should therefore provide as much detail as possible in their submission about what makes their quilt sustainable.

For quilts which simply want to be seen and not judged! This category will not be subject to any constraints around quilting style and will not be part of the judging process (or therefore eligible to win a prize). Quilts must adhere to the rules, although there is no minimum size for this category (maximum size of 3m in any direction still applies). If it’s a minimum two layers joined with stitch and is properly finished, anything goes!

Quilts entered in any category are eligible to enter this ‘overlay’ category to win a prize of £500 for excellence in the use of thread. The winning entry will demonstrate mastery in the choice and use of thread. Any technique may be used, and may be stitched by hand, by machine, or a combination of hand and machine, but thread should play a starring role. Artist’s statements should include details of the thread and techniques used, together with details of the type of machine used (if relevant). Winners of a category award are not eligible to win an overlay award.

Quilts entered in any category are eligible to enter this ‘overlay’ category to win a prize of £500 for excellence in use of a longarm machine. Entries should be quilted on a specialist longarm quilting machine, i.e. where the machine moves and the fabric remains static, mounted on a frame. Winners of a category are not eligible to win an additional overlay award.