Judged Show 2023

Entry Information and Rules

 

Update to Rules for 2023:

Glitter: Due to transfer and damage issues with glitter on quilts, glitter fabric, or any type of attached glitter on quilts will cause the quilt to be immediately disqualified.

Rule 17. Show Pick up has changed. Please read carefully about last date to request an in-person pickup after the conclusion of the show. There will a $20 fee charged for quilts not actually picked up.

Rule 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 1, 2023, the container will be thrown away.

Rule 20. Due to the logistics of the judging process, if you are entering more than one quilt, each quilt must be shipped individually to the show. Every effort will be made to return ship all Judged Show entries by an artist in the same return shipping box. At this time, an invoice will have to be sent to the artist. The retrun shipping link charges for one quilt only.

Rule 22.Return shipping labels from UPS, Federal Express or other shipping companies will not be accepted.

Rule 24.Quilts in the Judged Show cannot be shipped to the Special Exhibits office with quilts in any other category or in any of the special exhibits calls. They can be return shipped with other categories in the Judged Show. They can not be return shipped with quilts in a Special Exhibit. 

The Miniature Category has been removed. Quilts that are between 10" and 10" in width and/or length that were once considered miniature should be entered into the appropriate category. 

 

Please note: 

  • If you paid someone to quilt your quilt or to do any other work on it, this is work-for-hire and is not allowed in this show. (See Rule 3)

Rules for Judged Show 2023

DATES: Please make note of the dates.

Read the rules carefully.

If you have questions, please contact Special Exhibits 713-781-6864, ext. 105

 

25-May-23 Online entry closes at 1:00pm CST
By June 30, 2023 Notifications emailed to all artists who submitted
4-Aug-23 Last day to receive quilts in office – Contact us with any questions.
TBA Notification of winners (ONLY winners are contacted.)
1-Nov-23 Preview Night at International Quilt Festival
November 2 – November 5, 2023 International Quilt Festival/Houston (quilts on display)
November 13, 2023– January 31, 2024 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 June, 30, 2023.
  • Please whitelist (Add to your contact list) the email address calls@quiltfestivalcallforentries.com.
  • If you do not receive an 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 quilt-making. We strive to encourage excellence in quilt-making 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:

  • If you paid someone to quilt your quilt or to do any other work on it, this is work-for-hire and is not allowed in this show. (See Rule 3)
  • 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

This category features abstract, cutting-edge, and non-literal, non-traditional quilts, the emphasis being on color, line, and design. It includes alternative techniques, such as thread/ribbon/yarn embellishments and fabric manipulation or quilts whose visual impact is created with buttons, beads, fabric origami, embroidery, hot-fixed crystals, felting, couching, attached fibers, etc. The basic design of the quilt may also be painted in this category. The “painting” on the surface of the quilt may be produced with paints, dyes, colored pens, colored pencils, etc. Any design that yields an abstract image on a quilt surface would belong in this category. Quilts in this category may be any size within the rules.

Appliqué

Quilts in this category can be appliquéd with any appliqué technique. Quilts may be based on traditional style patterns and sets, or they may be derived from fundamental changes to established patterns and sets. Quilts in this category may be any size within the rules.  

Hand Quilted/Handmade

Quilts in this category may be made completely by hand. Any hand quilted quilt may also be entered in this category. Quilts in this category may be any size within the rules. 

Machine Quilting

Quilts in this category have an emphasis on the quality of the quilting stitches and quilting pattern. Any quilt, machine quilted on a frame-mounted or stationary machine may be entered in this category. Wholecloth quilts, quilted on a frame machine should be entered in this category. Quilts in this category may be any size within the rules.

Large Pictorial

This category features any art quilt that illustrates a recognizable image, such as objects, still life, cityscapes, warm or cold-blooded animals, people, portraits, or figures, etc. Non-realistic animals, insects, people, places, or things may also be entered in this category. Also eligible are fictitious creatures and fairytale or cartoon-type quilts and naturescapes which contain aspects of natural scenery in natural surroundings. Quilts based on realistic photographs would be entered here. This is for non-traditional quilts. See sizes below. 

Small Pictorial

This category features any art quilt that illustrates a recognizable image, such as objects, still life, cityscapes, warm or cold-blooded animals, people, portraits, or figures, etc. Non-realistic animals, insects, people, places, or things may be entered in this category. Fictitious creatures and fairytale or cartoon-type quilts also belong in this category. Nature-scapes which contain aspects of natural scenery in natural surroundings, may be entered. Quilts based on realistic photographs would be entered here. This is for non-traditional quilts  See Sizes below. 

Pieced

Quilts in this category should be pieced. Quilts may be based on traditional style patterns and sets, or they may be derived from fundamental changes to established patterns and sets.Quilts in this category may be any size within the rules.

 

 

 SIZES: (for Categories:Abstract, Applique, Hand Quilted/Hand Made, Machine Quilting, Pieced)

Width=side-to-side, minimum width is 10" (64 cm), maximum width is 100" (254 cm)

Height = top-to-bottom, minimum height is 10” (64 cm) maximum height is 100” (254 cm)

SIZES: (for Categories:  Large and Small Pictorial)

Large Pictorial

Large: One width measurement + one height measurement of the quilt must exceed 90" (305 cm),

but not exceed 240" (612 cm). Neither the width nor the height may exceed 100" (305 cm).

Small Pictorial 

Small:  One width measurement + one height measurement of the quilt must not exceed 90".

 

 

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.

Glitter

Due to transfer issues with glitter on quilts, glitter fabric, or any type of attached glitter on quilts will cause the quilt to be disqualified.

 

RULES

 

ENTRY DEADLINE: May 25, 2023, at 1pm CST

ENTRY FEES ARE $30 PER QUILT

  1. Each entry must have been completed after January 1, 2021. 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 people (including quilting stitches) may be entered in the show and must be a collaboration between two artists and not a business arrangement or part of a work-for-hire agreement. (See definitions) Both 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. Entries may not be framed or under glass, nor may they have rigid frames.
  7. 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).

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 5 through November 5, 2023. No quilt will be taken down before the end of Festival (Sunday, November 5, 2023, at 4:00 p.m.) Due to the large number of quilts exhibited, items not picked up at the convention center on November 5 will be shipped by January 31, 2024, unless special arrangements have been made.

17.Show pickup of a quilt is available.

  • Arrangements must be made for show pickup by October 19, 2023.
  • Additional pickup requests will not be accepted after October 19, 2023
  • Quilts will be available for pickup from 8pm through 9pm Sunday, November 5, 2023.
  • 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 1, 2023, the container will be thrown away.

19.Shipping to and from the show will be paid for by the artist.

20. Due to the logistics of the judging process, if you are entering more than one quilt, each quilt must be shipped individually to the show. Every effort will be made to return ship all Judged Show entries by an artist in the same return shipping box. At this time, an invoice will have to be sent to the artist. Thereturn shipping  link charges for one quilt only.

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.

23.Customs fees and taxes accessed when the quilt is returned are to be paid by the artist if they are assessed. 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.Quilts in the Judged Show cannot be shipped to the Special Exhibits office with quilts in any other category or in any of the special exhibits calls. They can be return shipped with other categories in the Judged Show. They cannot be return shipped with quilts in a Special Exhibit. 

25.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.

26.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.

27.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.

28.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.

29.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.

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 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 15, 2023.

FINALIST’S LIABILITY/INSURANCE INFORMATION

Accepted quilts should be insured through the owner’s individual insurance company. Quilts, Inc. will insure each quilt from the time we receive the quilt until it is shipped back to the owner. 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. Quilts, Inc. will insure each quilt as follows: large quilts for $500, small quilts for $300.

Large quilt: one length + one width of the quilt must be greater than 120 inches (305 cm), but not greater than 200 inches (508 cm). The total width must not exceed 100 inches (254 cm). 

Small quilt: one length + one width of the quilt must be 119 inches (302 cm) or smaller.

Example: side A (length) = 60 inches (152 cm); side B (width) = 40 inches (101 cm); A + B = 100 inches (254 cm). It is a small quilt.