2027 Judged Quilt Entries
Registration Opens in January 2027
Quilt Festival Divisions & Categories
Definitions:
The Kansas City Regional Quilt Festival (KCRQF) defines the person who made the quilt top as the Quilt Maker.
- The quilt top Quilt Maker’s status determines Master or Artisan Division and not the Quilter’s status.
- A quilt will not be allowed to be entered if the Quilt Maker of the quilt, or its components, is not known.
- If it is deemed that a quilt has been entered in the wrong category after being entered, the quilt will remain as entered. The Judge will have the option of not judging quilts that are entered in the wrong category. It is your responsibility as the entrant to place it in the proper category.
- All quilts must be either hand or machine quilted, no tied or tacked quilts allowed.
- A separate entry must be submitted for each quilt entered.
Quilt Details:
The Kansas City Regional Quilt Festival (KCRQF) requires the following to be observed.
- The original designer & pattern name must be recognized.
- If AI was used for any part of the design work, it must be noted.
Master:
- If the following statement is true, past or present, you must enter under the ‘Master’ Division: Quilt Maker has been awarded a Best of Show, First, or Second place ribbon at any juried or judged regional or national quilt show/festival. (i.e. AQS show, Mancuso show, International, Mid-Atlantic, KCRQF, Minnesota, Wisconsin,etc,).
- A Quilt Maker not identified as a Master Quilt Maker, may compete under the ‘Master’ Division’.
Artisan:
- If the following statement is true, past or present, you may enter under the ‘Artisan’ Division: Quilt Maker has NOT been awarded a Best of Show, First, or Second place ribbon at any juried or judged regional or national quilt show or festival (see above for examples).
Quilts:
Determine the size by measuring one side each of the Width (or shortest side) + Length (or longest side) in inches. Quilts with any one side (Width or Length) longer than 96” will be accepted on a limited number due to hanging space. Acceptance of a larger than 96” quilt will be on a first come/first accepted basis.
- A Large Quilt is defined as having no side less than 60” and no side greater than 96” (even if hung horizontally). (see exception noted above)
- A Small Quilt is defined as having no side smaller than 24” or no side greater than 60” - includes wall hanging, crib, lap, etc.
Ribbons / Awards:
- All categories will be awarded a first (blue), second (red) and third (white) ribbon. First Place (Blue Ribbon) winners will receive a Cash prize, Merchandise prizes for 2nd & 3rd place.
- A Best of Show ribbon and prize will be awarded in both the Master and Artisan Division.
Master and Artisan Level
|
MP 100 Master |
Masters Pieced Quilt - Predominately pieced or patchwork, machine or hand quilted. Any size, no side greater than 96”. Note exception for size above. |
|
MP 200 Master |
Masters Appliqué Quilt - Predominantly appliqué, machine or hand quilted. Any size, no side greater than 96”. Note exception for size above. |
|
MP 300 Master |
Masters Art/Pictorial Quilt - Must be an original design, machine or hand quilter. Any size, no side greater than 96”. |
|
LP 100 Artisan |
Artisan Large Pieced Quilt - Predominant technique is pieced, machine or hand quilted. (note size exception above) |
|
LA 100 Artisan |
Artisan Large Appliqué Quilt - Predominant technique is appliqué, machine or hand quilted. (note size exception above). |
|
SP 200 Artisan |
Artisan Small Pieced Quilt - Predominant technique is pieced, machine or hand quilted. |
|
SA 200 Artisan |
Artisan Small Applique Quilt - Predominant technique is applique, machine or hand quilted. |
|
AP 300 Artisan |
Artisan Art/Pictorial Quilt - Must be an original design, machine or hand quilted. No side less than 24” or greater than 96” (even in hung horizontally). |
|
MQ 400 Artisan |
Artisan Modern Quilt - Must incorporate characteristics of modern quilting: high contrast/graphics, alternate grid work, minimalism, asymmetry, expansive negative space, improv piecing, applique, machine or hand quilted. No side less than 24” or larger than 96”. |
|
YQ 500 Youth |
Under 12 yrs old Youth Quilt - Any technique. Quilter Maker must be younger than 12 years at the time of quilt festival, machine or hand quilted. No side less than 24” or greater than 96” (even if hung horizontally). |
|
YQ600 Youth |
Youth age 12-18 yrs old only—any technique. The quilt maker must be 18 yrs or younger at the time of the KCRQF, machine or hand quilted. No side less than 24” or greater than 96”(even if hung horizontally). |
Quilt Entry Instructions
General Requirements and Information:
- All entries, photos and fees must be submitted online. When online submission has been submitted, you will receive an email confirmation. If you DO NOT get the email confirmation, please contact: judging@kcrqf.com. Quilt delivery details will be emailed after the entry deadline or entry number limit is reached.
- Quilts may be submitted by anyone, regardless of Guild or non-Guild affiliation and must have significantly participated in the making of the quilt top or quilting.
- Quilts entered must have been completed within the last three (3) years and cannot have been entered in a previous KCRQF.
- Quilts must be quilted by machine or hand. Quilting is defined as a running stitch that passes through the quilt top, batting and quilt back. Tied or tacked quilts are not eligible.
- Quilts must remain on display for the entire Festival and must be in excellent condition. Incomplete, torn, soiled quilts with strong odors, or animal hair will not qualify for entry or display.
- Quilts will be accepted in the order registered with limitations of the Quilt Exhibit Hall. Each entrant may only enter three (3) quilts with no more than two (2) per category. Please specify order of preference for each entry in case entry space limit would prevent entry of all. Quilts must fit the size requirements noted in the category descriptions. Quilts are limited by the width and length of 96"* due to site limitations. *Quilts wider/longer than 96" will not be accepted once the limited number of larger than 96” entries have been submitted due to hanging space to protect your quilt.
- Youth Quilters (under 18 years of age) can choose to enter their quilt(s) into the “adult” categories.
- Any category with fewer than three (3) entries will be removed from the Judged Quilt entries, at the discretion of the Festival committee. If a category has many entries, it may be divided into different categories at the discretion of the Festival committee.
- Ribbons and Awards will be given at the discretion of the Judge and Festival committee to the winning Quilt Maker and Quilter.
- The Judge and Festival committee reserves the right to refuse any entry that it deems objectionable or too controversial. You will be notified when your email entry/photo is received.
- Entrants are responsible for their own insurance on all items. The completed and signed Entry Form releases KCRQF, its officers, agents and volunteers from any and all liability.
-
Quilt Preparations:
- Sleeve - The quilt must have a 4” (finished) hanging sleeve sewn on the back of the quilt. The sleeve may not be pinned on. For directions, please reference these fantastic instructions from Minnesota Quilters, Inc.
Quilts longer than 90" require the top of the sleeve to be placed 90" from the bottom of the quilt to ensure that the quilt will not touch the floor when hanging; only one sleeve is required. Sleeves for accepted entries larger than 96” must have a sleeve that is 6”. - Label - A quilt label should be sewn on; a lower-left back corner is preferred. No pinned labels will be accepted. The quilt label should include the name of the quilt, entrant's name, address, and phone number. To ensure impartiality in judging, please apply a fabric flap, sewn or carefully safety pinned on the top edge only, covering the label and above information. If this is not done the information will be covered with tape.
- Photo - Each entry must include a color photo of your quilt. A 'work in progress' photo is acceptable, as long as the quilt is recognizable, although a pattern photo is not! The photo is submitted with the online entry.
- Quilts requiring special handling (embellishment that would snag, dimensional treatments) will not be accepted. Your quilt must be able to be folded, rolled, or stacked with other quilts without potential damage to your quilt or any other quilt in the Festival.
- Quilts embellished with sharp objects that may be hazardous to volunteers or Festival attendees will not be accepted.
- Quilts must be a single, stand-alone project. It may not be framed, mounted or covered.
Fees:
- All entrants must submit $35 per entry online. A link will be provided for entry and payment in January 2027. Entry Fee for the Youth categories is $20 and must be submitted at time of entry.
- Entry fee is not refundable, even if entry is withdrawn.
Meet Our Judge - Cindy Erickson
Cindy started her career as an interior designer in Arizona and Utah, then specialized in creating applique wallhangings and clothing for boutiques. Since being introduced to the rotary cutter and half-square triangle she’s been unstoppable. Cindy makes commission quilts and samples for various international companies and individuals (including RJR and P&B). She is a NACQJ (National Association of Certified Quilt Judges www.nacqj.com) certified Quilt Judge and teaches quilting and clothing specialty classes at Bernina Sewing Center in Omaha as well as lecturing and classes around the country. She is qualified to judge Master Quilts, Modern and art quilts of all techniques. She has judged many major shows including Quilt Con, Paducah and for many more regional and guild shows. She specializes in teaching rotary and sewing machine skills in all aspects of quiltmaking to all skill levels. “Professional Quilter Magazine” nominated her for National Teacher of the Year. She has been published in Quiltmaker, Fons and Porters magazine and Leisure Arts publications, collaborating with many designers, Cindy’s quilts have been shown in AQS, Houston, PIQS and NQA. @quiltstsh (Instagram)