Please review this information before registering your quilt
Questions? contact registrar@northernstarquilters.com or continue to Registration

  • Quilts must be clean, thread-free and in excellent show-ready condition; pet hair, smoke, or strong odors will disqualify an entry.
  • Quilts may not have been in any prior NSQG “World of Quilts” show; exceptions are invitationals, challenges, and special exhibits.
  • Quilts from kits (or any part thereof) are eligible for submission and judging.
  • A significant portion of the quilt must consist of three layers: top, middle, and backing.
  • No tied quilts – hand or machine quilted only; exceptions are Special Techniques and Young Quilters Categories.
  • NSQG reserves the right to reject any quilt and/or to reassign categories as necessary.
  • Review Drop off/ Pickup Instructions.
  • Quilt Sleeves – All quilts must have a 4″ sleeve sewn (not glued) on the back. Category 900 and quilts smaller than 6″x6″ may have a 2″ sleeve.  See this tutorial how to add a sleeve.
  • Quilt Number – A quilt number label for each quilt accepted will be sent to you a week or two before quilt drop-off. This label must be sewn on the bottom right hand corner of the quilt back (right hand side as viewed from the back of the quilt).
  • Quilt Labels – Add a name,address, phone number label to back of each quilt.   Temporarily sew a blank piece of fabric over that information and any other personal information, if the quilt is to be judged.  Do not use masking tape.  If you put your contact info in the back right hand corner as viewed from the back, the quilt number label may be used for that covering purpose.
  • Folded – All quilts, except for very small ones and some exceptions as determined at Quilt Drop-Off, MUST be able to be folded while with NSQG.

Traditional Quilts

A quilt of traditional design by a single maker (and possibly a paid quilter).

200 – Traditional Quilts (Large, Quilted by Maker) – Perimeter greater than 240 inches

300 – Traditional Quilt (Small, Quilted by Maker) –  Perimeter of 240 inches or less

400 – Traditional Quilts (Large, Quilted by Other) – Perimeter greater than 240 inches

500 – Traditional Quilts (Small, Quilted by Other) –  Perimeter of 240 inches or less

Traditional design means constructed of blocks in a traditional pattern and grid. For example, a “One Block Wonder” quilt is considered ‘traditional’, even though it results in an abstract geometric design, because it is pieced in rows of triangles which form hexagons.

Contemporary Quilts

A quilt of reflecting a modern design aesthetic by a single maker (possibly using a paid quilter).

1200 – Contemporary (Large) – Perimeter greater than 160 inches

1300 – Contemporary (Small) – Perimeter no more than 160  inches

Contemporary quilts may include the use of bold colors and prints, high contrast, graphic areas of solid color, improvisational piecing, minimalism, expansive negative space, alternate grid work, or the updating of classic quilt designs (“modern traditionalism”).

Art Quilts

A quilt made to be hung on a wall rather than used as a covering.

600 – Art (People) – Portraits, animals, or other figures illustrating some recognizable aspect of human or animal form

700 – Art (Pictorial) – Landscapes, still-life, flowers, rooms or other forms illustrating a recognizable image (non-human or animal)

800 – Art (Abstract)  – Original forms and compositions (non-literal designs)

900 – Art (Small)– Any quilt measuring no more than 20” along any side, maximum 80″ perimeter

Other

1000 – Special Techniques –Any size, with unusual techniques such as embroidery, English paper piecing, cathedral windows, miniatures, whole cloth …

2000 – Group Quilts –  Any quilt made by two or more persons (not counting a paid quilter), regardless of size, design aesthetic, or who did the quilting.

3000 – Young Quilters – Any size, made by someone 16 years old or younger with little or no help from an adult. These may be quilted by the maker or by another person. Use the Young Quilters button to register

Design Permissions

Who Needs to Seek Design Permission? If your quilt is a completely original design, not based on anyone else’s patterns, photographs or artwork, you do not need to get any permissions before displaying your quilt.  However, if you use someone else’s pattern, artwork, photography, or even another quilt as the basis, starting point, or full source of your design, it is important that you ask for and receive that person’s permission before displaying your quilt publicly. Even though the quilt and the hard work are all yours, the design is the intellectual property of its creator. Your quilt, even if the design has been altered, is considered a derivative work of their original design.  This information (along with very useful additional guidance) is found on the AQS website. Many patterns and quilt books include this permission for non-commercial uses, so you might want to check the fine print before seeking permission.