Changes to Quilt Show Entry Rules

The South of the Border theme quilts will exhibit each quilters vision and interpretation of the theme. Entry deadline is March 19, 2010. Entry forms will be available on our website at www.IMQA.org

Theme: South of the Border What do you conjure up when you think South of the Border? Is it the food, music, art, a happy fiesta or a lazy siesta? Let your imagination go to express your "South of the Border" images.

THEME: "South of the Border" --- The theme category is intended to make you think of what is south of the border. It could be any border! What is your favorite place, South of the Border? The quilt may be pieced, appliquéd, embroidered or painted. Embellishments and specialty threads are allowed. Your artist’s statement will be read for the judges to tell them and all of us what makes your quilt "South of the Border". Quilt must fit the perimeter of no less than 240" and no more than 480" and must be a quilt of 3 layers-top, batting, and backing.

TRADITIONAL CUSTOM: The imitation of customary quilting as produced by our ancestors. Techniques may include stitch in the ditch; block motifs, feather work, coordinating border design, and background fillers that enhance texture or create a traditional appearance such as meandering, cross hatching, echo quilting, grids, straight lines, etc. The use of specialty threads such as metallic, variegated, shiny, or high contrast threads are not permitted. All quilting threads used must be a matching or blending color. Quilt must fit the perimeter of no less than 240" and no more than 480" and must be a quilt of 3 layers-top, batting, and backing.

INNOVATIVE CUSTOM: Out of the ordinary quilting techniques are encouraged. Block motifs and coordinating border designs should be of an unusual design. Modern quilting techniques such as continuous curves, wavy lines, and new outline stitching may be used. The use of specialty threads such as metallic, variegated, rayon, shiny polyesters, etc. are encouraged. Quilt must fit the perimeter of no less than 240" and no more than 480" and must be a quilt of 3 layers-top, batting, and backing.

MACHINE EMBROIDERY: The quilt must incorporate machine executed embroidered blocks or machine embroidered appliqués, or motifs as a significant design element. The quilting must be accomplished using a longarm/shortarm quilting machine using a track a track system. Hand embroidery, while beautiful, is not allowed in this category. Specialty threads and embellishments are allowed. Quilt must fit the perimeter of no less than 240" and no more than 480" and must be a quilt of 3 layers-top, batting, and backing.

WHOLE CLOTH-INNOVATIVE: A solid, tone on tone, marbled, or hand dyed one piece designed for quilting only. May be seamed to appropriate size but must be from one fabric including the edge treatments. The quilting incorporates the entire design of the quilt. Color placement may be used by layering dyed batting, felt, fabric, etc. underneath the main fabric and edge treatments; pigment, paint etc. on the surface of the main fabric and edge treatments. No piecework or appliqué is allowed. The quilt must fit the perimeter of no less than 160" and no more than 480" and must be a quilt of 3 layers-top, batting, and backing.

WHOLE CLOTH-TRADITIONAL: A solid, tone on tone, marbled or hand dyed one piece designed for quilting only. May be seamed to appropriate size but must be from one fabric including the edge treatments. The quilting incorporates the entire design of the quilt. Dyed batting may not be used; layering fabrics, felt, etc. to achieve shadowing is not permitted. Matching threads and not specialty threads must be used. Variegated threads are not permitted. No piecework or appliqué is allowed. The quilt must fit the perimeter of no less than 160" and no more than 480" and must be a quilt of 3 layers-top, batting, and backing.

ART/PICTORIAL: This is the category to showcase your creativity with thread play and/or a mixture of mediums. Any embellishments must be securely attached and the piece able to be hung conventionally with minimal care. Quilt must fit the perimeter of no more than 480" and must be a quilt of 3 layers-top, batting, and backing.

WALL: A small quilt, traditional or modern, pieced or appliqué, designed to be displayed on a wall. Quilt must fit the perimeter of no less than 80" and no more than 300" and must be a quilt of 3 layers-top, batting, and backing.

OVERALL DESIGN: Continuous line quilting design, which covers the entire surface of a pieced or appliqué quilt. A pantograph pattern or free-hand overall continuous line design may be used. The entire quilt is quilted as one piece with an edge to edge design. One separate border design may be used to separate the body and border of the quilt; however no custom block designs, nor stitch in the ditch are permitted. Quilt must fit the perimeter of no less than 240" and no more than 480" and must be a quilt of 3 layers-top, batting, and backing.

BREAD AND BUTTER: Show us how you quilt those customer quilts and get them done and out the door. Quilting may be traditional or innovative. This year’s pattern designs are the Mexican Star, Block of the Month and T-Shirt or Memory Quilts. Those are the only blocks/patterns that are allowed in this category. Quilt must fit the perimeter of no less than 240" and no more than 480" and must be a quilt of 3 layers-top, batting, and backing.

TOOLS OF THE TRADE: Quilting must be done with the use of rulers, plastic shape templates, and/or tabletop mounted stitching guides. List the types of tools used in your quilt in the artist’s statement. Freehand background fillers only may be added to the piece. Quilt must fit the perimeter of no less than 240" and no more than 480" and must be a quilt of 3 layers-top, batting, and backing.

COMPUTER GUIDED: Quilting must be accomplished using a longarm/shortarm machine using a track system with the computer guided software engaged during the entire process. No freehand allowed. Specialty threads are allowed as well as embellishments. Quilt must fit the perimeter of no less than 240" and no more than 480" and must be a quilt of 3 layers-top, batting, and backing.

MISCELLANEOUS: The three layers traditionally recognized as a quilt ARE NOT required for this category. Quilts (3 layers-top, batting, and backing) of any kind or size do not qualify. Fearless creativity is encouraged. Possible entries would include but are not limited to: three-dimensional sculptures, items made completely of thread, window treatments, etc. A means of hanging or displaying the work must be arranged by the maker as to not damage the work i.e. ribbons, ties, hangers, necessary props to be provided by the entrant. Entry must arrive with no assembly required. Entries weighing in excess of 40 pounds must be hand delivered to the show by special arrangements. Size restrictions are that the entry must be easily movable.

WEARABLE: Two divisions for this category. Runway/Theater Garments: Single garments or ensembles created for theater productions or specifically for fashion show competition. Entry may include any kind of embellishments, thread, and fabric. Everyday Wearable: Single garments or ensembles created to wear any day. The garment cannot include any metallic or glitzy/specialty threads, fabrics, or embellishments. Variegated threads and like-kind fabric embellishments are allowed. For both divisions the fabric must have been quilted on a longarm/shortarm quilting machine utilizing a track system. Batting should be present in at least part of the garment unless it is constructed of thread only. Please include any purchased items to complete the ensemble for display purposed.

MINIATURE: A quilt consisting of whole cloth, pieced, appliquéd, or embroidery blocks which is a small scale reproduction of a full size quilt. All parts of the quilt should be in proportion including appliqué, piecing, quilting, fabric prints, borders, and binding. Specialty threads and embellishments are allowed. Quilt must fit the perimeter of 96" or less, and must be a quilt of 3 layers-top, batting and backing. The longest size must not exceed 24".

BED QUILT: This quilt may be traditional or innovative, pieced, appliquéd, embroidered, or a combination of techniques. It must be intended for a bed. Specialty threads and/or embellishments (securely attached) are allowed. Quilt must fit the perimeter of no less than 300" and no more than 480" and must be a quilt of 3 layers-top, batting, and backing. A false back will disqualify your entry.