QuiltCon Quilt Show Rules

QuiltCon 2027 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 submitting an online entry form. Entries open September 1, 2026, and close October 31, 2026, 11:59 p.m. EDT. 

Entrants may enter as many quilts as they like, but a maximum of four quilts per submitter will be accepted into the quilt show.

Categories

There are 13 categories in the QuiltCon quilt show. Please carefully read the category descriptions and evaluate the strongest aspects of the quilt being entered in order to determine its entry category. 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 submission category of a quilt based on objective requirements for Small Quilts, Group or Bee, Youth, and Challenge categories.

Categories with specific requirements: 

If needed, entries will automatically be moved in or out of these categories based on requirements. 

Fabric Challenge

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

Group or Bee Quilts

Any modern quilt made by three or more people.

Quilting Challenge

Quilts must follow the rules stated in the Pick-A-Color Scrappy challenge. These quilts must feature a minimum of 10 different fabrics, with the colors all in one area of the color wheel. The challenge is open to individuals or groups. 

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.

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 360″ and no single side longer than 90″. (Quilter may be excluded from the age requirement.)  

General Categories

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

*New for QuiltCon 2027* Foundation Piecing

The quilt is constructed using a paper or fabric foundation for piecing, such as English paper piecing, freezer paper piecing, foundation paper piecing, etc.

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.

Piecing

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

Modern Traditionalism

The quilt design incorporates traditional aesthetics in a modern quilt, either by modernizing quilt blocks or quilt patterns, or by using elements of traditional motifs.

Use of Negative Space

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

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, MQG Breakthrough Award, and People’s Choice. Each judge will choose a Judge’s Choice winner, an award which carries no cash prize.

Entry Rules

  1. Entry is open to all members of the Modern Quilt Guild in any country.

  2. All entries to QuiltCon must be quilts made of fabric/textiles meeting the following:

    1. Entries must have a minimum of three layers (backing, batting, top) joined together with stitching.

    2. Entries must have a finished edge (such as binding or facing).

    3. Entries must be quilts, no quilted items are permitted.

  3. Size: Entries must have a maximum perimeter of 360", with no single side longer than 90". There is no minimum size.

  4. Completion Year: Entries must have been completed within the last three years (2026, 2025, 2024) and not have been shown at a prior QuiltCon quilt show. After entry, nothing may be added or removed from the quilt.

  5. Crediting: All individuals who worked on the design or construction of the entry, whether paid or not, must be properly credited (excluding basting assistance). This includes proper notation of design inspiration sources, such as photos, other artists, patterns, etc.

  6. Entry: Each quilt may only be entered into one category. The same quilt may not be entered into multiple categories in the same year. Repeat entries will be disqualified without refund. 

    1. Diptychs/triptychs may not be entered as one entry. If entered in multiple entries, the quilts will be evaluated separately and hung separately.

  7. Finalizing Information: All entry information is final upon submission and payment. The MQG will not accommodate requests for edits to titles, pricing, artist statements, etc. Please review and proof your entry form prior to submitting. There are no refunds on entry fees once a quilt has been submitted.

  8. For Exhibit Only: Any entrant may choose to submit their quilt “For Exhibit Only” meaning not eligible for awards. The following groups and members of their immediate families are eligible to enter QuiltCon “For Exhibit Only” and will not be eligible for any awards or prizes: QuiltCon Judges, members of the MQG Board of Directors, and employees of the MQG.

    1. 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”.

Photos

Three photos are required to submit a quilt to QuiltCon. All identifying marks such as labels, embroidered signatures, etc must be covered in any entry photo. Photos should be free of other items such as people, plants, pets, other quilts. 

  1. Front - Overall. This shot should have the quilt centered in the frame, not angled or keystoned. Please crop close to the quilt image but leave space so the quilt’s edge is apparent. A small amount of background is preferred to view the quilt’s edge.

  2. Front - Detail. This shot may be of any detailed area of the quilt’s top.

  3. Edge - Detail. This shot may be taken from the front, with the quilt edge clearly showing, to show the jury the quilt edge is completed.

Photos must be 5 MB or less, saved in .jpg or .png format. The photo’s shortest side should be a minimum of 1200 pixels.

Fees

  1. Submission fees: The submission fee for the QuiltCon Quilt show is $20 per quilt. The entry fee is non-refundable. 

  2. Return Shipping fees: 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.

    1. Information on optional shipping upgrades incurring additional fees will be included in the Acceptance Packet.

Disqualifications

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. Misrepresentation of a quilt on the entry form may result in the quilter being banned from QuiltCon submissions for the subsequent year or permanently. 

The MQG reserves the right to disqualify any of the following:

  1. Quilts that are in visibly poor condition, including but not limited to, torn fabric, stains, strong scents, poor craftsmanship, or unfinished quilts.

  2. Quilts that MQG staff deem to have been misrepresented in entry photos.

  3. Quilts in which the MQG staff deem that design credit has been misrepresented. If this misrepresentation is discovered after the show and the quilt was awarded, the winner forfeits all ribbons and cash prizes.

  4. Quilts shipped with an AirTag or other tracking device. A quilt arriving with an AirTag or other tracking device, either on the quilt or in/on the box, will be disqualified from the show immediately. The AirTag or device will be deactivated and disposed of.

  5. Quilts that do not meet the Entry Rules listed above.

Acceptances

Quilt acceptances will be sent via email in early December. All quilts will need to have a 4" hanging sleeve attached prior to shipment and will be required to arrive in Austin, TX in January. An acceptance packet with detailed preparation and shipping instructions will be provided. 

Selling Your Quilt

Entrants have the option to offer their quilt for sale at QuiltCon. If you do and it sells, you cannot retroactively decide not to sell it. You will receive your sales funds by the end of March.

If your quilt sells at QuiltCon, 15% of the sales price and the pre-paid return shipping fee will be donated to The Modern Quilt Guild.

Important Acknowledgements

  1. The decisions of the jury, judges, and MQG staff are all final.

  2. The MQG does not discriminate against entrants based on race, sex, age, disability, religion, national or ethnic origins, sexual orientation, marital status, or other protected status.

  3. 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.

Important Dates

  • Call for entries: September 1, 2026 - October 31, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. EDT.

  • Notification emails: no later than the week of November 30, 2026

  • Shipping deadline: January 2027, see Acceptance Packet for details.

  • Awards Ceremony: Wednesday, February 24, 2027

  • Return Shipping: Monday, March 1, 2027

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.