NEW! IN THE YEAR 2010

   A Quilters’ Gathering™ invites you to show personally designed art wear in

          The Art of Fine Fashion

                                                       An Exhibition and Contest of Wearable Fashions

You are invited to enter up to 3 outfits in “The Art of Fine Fashion,” a clothing contest and exhibition sponsored by Eastcoast Quilters Alliance 3, LLC. While a clothing contest has been part of A Quilters Gathering every other year for over 20 years, many things about it are NEW this year --- the title, the guidelines, the awards, and the theme!

Every two years fashion designers have been entering garments in a contest entitled, “Made To Wear,” and what a collection of wonderful garments paraded down the runway over the years.  Fashion has been evolving, however, and we decided that its time for this contest to do the same, and while being wearable is still important, the focus will be on designs that show creativity… that are interpretations of your own vision --- attractive and functional, yes, but with a dash of artistic innovation to make heads turn when worn. And we’ve given you the tools to do this by broadening the scope of Textiles you can use --- cottons of course, but also silks, linens, yarns, leather, satin, felt and more. And think Embellishments --- beads, buttons, bows, charms, you are only limited by your imagination. Don’t forget accessories --- from Belts to Bras and everything in-between.  The door is wide open for you to explore the possibilities in various textiles and trim to create something fabulous, frivolous, flirtatious and functional.

Regardless of overall composition or construction, in some way the garment or outfit must include an identifiable quilting element ---- such as appliqué or patchwork, hand or machine quilting, quilting shapes and pattern, as an example. The quilting portion may be as minor as a trim or accessory or as major as a vest, jacket or dress, but it must be recognized as quilting related.  Let your imagination soar! Be daring when designing your entries.  Have fun stretching fashion limits to create a one-of-a-kind ensemble  Think of this as your opportunity to practice for Project Runway!  

Entries in “The Art of Fine Fashion,” contest  may be for daytime wear, evening wear, sportswear, seasonal wear, whatever, they may be formal or informal; they may be totally or in part made from commercial patterns, or entirely original in design.  Entries may be submitted by slides, photos or compact disc, 3 slides/photos per outfit, due August 15, 2010.  Entries will be juried by a Selection Committee.  “The Art of Fine Fashions,” a juried and judged competition with ribbons, prizes, fashion show and exhibit, is part of the Program Of Events taking place at A Quilters’ Gathering™, November 4-7, 2010.  Selected entries will be reviewed for quality of construction, fashion details, art of expression and design.  Qualified fashion designers will serve as Judges for this competition and Ribbons will be presented in several categories to clothing meeting the judge’s criteria for awards. All entries will be included in a fashion show for which tickets will be available, and also be shown in an exhibit open to the public during A Quilters’ Gathering™  ENTRANTS ARE NOT REQUIRED TO MODEL THEIR OWN FASHIONS. MODELS WILL BE OBTAINED BY EQA3, LLC IF ENTRANT IS NOT AVAILABLE.

Entries must be submitted as follows:

1.       Wearable Fashions must be made by person submitting entries.  Up to 3 entries may be submitted.  Outfits consisting of several pieces will be considered as one entry.  Vests and/or Jackets will be judged in their own division and presented separate ribbons.  Three slides or photos per entry must be submitted showing front, back, and quilt technique detail. Slides/Photos/CD’s must be in color.  Photos should be sharp and clear and be 4” x 6” in size.

2.       Any traditional fabric may be used.  Design may be original or taken from any standard pattern. Either in design, construction, and/or embellishment, part of the outfit must include one or more quilt related techniques such as piecing, appliqué, quilting, and/or other.  This may be done by hand or machine.

3.       In keeping with contest theme, “The Art of Fine Fashion”, Entries may be mod, chic, classic, fashionable and trendy; they may be made with daring and flair and push the limits of today’s style into tomorrow, and they should be functional. Size is the decision of the maker.

4.       Entries  must be submitted by August 15, 2010 to: “The Art of Fine Fashion”, EQA3,LLC, 307 N AMHERST RD, BEDFORD, NH 03110.  There is a single, non-refundable, Entry Fee of $15.00 per person, which must be included with entries.  Checks should be made payable to EQA3, LLC.

5.       Slides/Photos of selected entries become the property of Eastcoast Quilters Alliance 3, LLC and will be used for promotional/publicity purposes.  Slides/Photos/CD’s will be returned if outfit is not selected. A SASE must be included with entry for notification and/or return of entries not selected.

6.       Submission of Entry Form implies consent to abide by contest rules and regulations.

CONTEST CALENDAR

Deadline date for submitting entries: August 15, 2010

Entrants notified of status by: September 15, 2010

Outfits due by: October 25, 2010

Exhibit Dates: November 4-7, 2010

Wearable Fashions returned to Entrant by: November 15, 2010

Don’t have a digital camera? You can take regular prints to any photo processing center to have them put on a CD

A Quilters’ Gathering™

2010 Art of Fine Fashion Contest Form