A Quilters’ Gathering

2010 Quilt Contest Theme:

Plain and fancy

From Amish Design to Modern Times

The Amish and Mennonite women of the Pennsylvania Dutch Country have been creating exquisite quilted masterpieces since the mid-1800's (and some believe even earlier). Amish quilts are an expression of frugality. They not only serve a practical, functional purpose, but serve as a form of entertainment as well.  Many times groups of women gather for a quilting bee. The “gathering” is a form of socialization and relaxation for these women. It's a time when they can get together to visit and "catch up" with one another once their household duties have been completed.  More recently, this social gathering has turned into a business enterprise for many Plain women. Cottage quilt industries are springing up throughout Lancaster County. Many Amish and Mennonite women have opened up small shops in their homes to subsidize the family's income. A handmade sign, stating simply, "quilts sold here, no Sunday sales".

A Quilters’ Gathering™ Quilt Contest is a juried and judged contest open to individuals, partners, and groups. Quilts may be new or completed within the past 10 years. Selected entries will be exhibited to the public at A Quilters’ Gathering™ from November 4-7, 2010. Judging will take place prior to the exhibit and a range of ribbons, from 1^st Place to Honorable Mention, will be presented as follows: Best in Show, Popular Choice, Judges’ Choice, Founders’ Award, Directors’ Choice, Overall Craftsmanship, Color Compatibility, Hand Quilting, Machine Quilting, Reflections of Theme and Publisher’s Award. Additional award categories may be added at the discretion of show organizers.   This year there will be a new award.  The new award will be a first place award blue ribbon that reflects the Classic Tradition and the second blue ribbon that reflects the Cutting Edge Tradition.  In addition to ribbons, cash or prize awards are offered by Quilt Industry Sponsors, such as The Quilter Magazine, Bernina of America, and by EQA3.  A listing of cash/prize awards and donors for the 2010 quilt contest will be posted on the web site as soon as available.

Jurying of Slide/Photo entries is done by a highly qualified Selection Committee. Judging is done by duly certified judges who examine the actual quilts and determine winners in each category.  All quilts and wall hangings in any style, size, design, and method of construction may be entered. All work submitted must have been executed totally by Entrant(s), i.e. individual, partners, or group, and must be available from October 25 to November 15, 2010. Entries that are tied or made from kits or non-traditional materials are not eligible. Work previously shown at A Quilters’ Gathering™ cannot be entered again.

 A non-refundable entry fee of $15.00 per Entrant is required. This fee allows 3 different pieces to be submitted. Each submission must include 2 slides or photos – a full view and a close-up, and an Entry Form. Entries must be in color. Any size photo may be sent so long as it clearly depicts the quilt colors, technique, craftsmanship, quilting stitch, and other pertinent details. Slides/Photos of accepted work will become the property of Eastcoast Quilters Alliance 3, LLC and may be used for publicity purposes. Only slides/photos of non-accepted work will be returned. Entries must include a Self-Addressed-Stamped-Envelope with $.42 postage for mailing the Notification of Status letter and for return of slides where applicable. This letter will contain full instructions for mailing/delivering accepted entries.  In the event this letter is not received within a week of the date indicated below please do not hesitate to contact Kate Sussman at kate@aquiltersgathering.com or 1-603-714-8871.  Submission of Entry Form implies consent to abide by contest rules and regulations.

CONTEST CALENDAR

Deadline date for submitting Entries: September 15, 2010,  Entrants notified of status by: October 1, 2010, Quilts due to Eastcoast Quilters Alliance 3, LLC by: October 25, 2010, Quilts exhibited at A Quilters’ Gathering™: November 4-7, 2010, Quilts shipped to Entrants by: November 15, 2010

 SUBMIT ENTRIES BY SEPTEMBER 15, 2009 AS FOLLOWS: A CHECK FOR $15.00 MADE OUT TO EASTCOAST QUILTERS ALLIANCE 3, LLC MUST BE SENT WITH AN ENTRY FORM AND 2 SLIDES/PHOTOS PER SUBMISSION.  (THREE SUBMISSIONS MAXIMUM PER ENTRANT) AND A SELF ADDRESSED, STAMPED ENVELOPE FOR NOTIFICATION AND RETURN OF SLIDES OR PHOTOS TO: QUILT CONTEST: EASTCOAST QUILTERS ALLIANCE 3, LLC, 307 NORTH AMHERST RD, BEDFORD, NH 03110.

2010 Plain and fancy Contest Form