Enter Either/Both: Winter Quilt Show Challenge or Fiber Contest

WMQFA Winter Quilt Show Challenge

Both the Challenge and Fiber Contest will be judged once again! We will also be awarding a Viewer’s Choice.

“Variegated Valentine” is the 2026 WMQFA Winter Quilt Show Challenge Theme! Click here for more information.

Enter Your Fiber Art Piece or Quilt in the Contest

2026 Entry Information

· To enter your piece(s), bring it/them and completed entry form on one of the dates listed below. To ensure your entry is one of the limited pieces accepted, please complete the online form, save as a pdf (your last name-piece name as filename; this is best done on laptop/desktop with Adobe PDF installed) and email to winterquiltshow@wiquiltmuseum.com in advance of drop-off dates. Check the website for any last minute updates in drop off times.

· Please read Contest Rules thoroughly and prepare your entry(ies) prior to your arrival.

· Entries will be stored in a secure environment until transfer to the show.

Entry Drop-off Times & Location

Thursday-Saturday, Feb 5-7, 10am-4pm

Wisconsin Museum of Quilts & Fiber Arts: N50W5050 Portland Road, Cedarburg, WI (no admission required to drop off)

Contest Rules

o All categories will be judged, except for Viewer’s Choice.

o $5 entry fee per item. NO CHARGE FOR YOUTH ENTRY.

o Viewer’s Choice voting will be open from 9am-4pm on February 14 during the Show.

o Winners will be designated by ribbons for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place. Viewer’s Choice winner will be announced virtually after the show.

o Entry must not have been exhibited in previous Winter Quilt Show events.

o Entries must have been made in the two years prior (Mar 2024-Feb 2026).

o The Winter Quilt Show reserves the right to re-categorize any entry.

o The name of every person that stitched on the entry, including the quilter, must be listed.

o You do not need a sleeve, the entries will be hung with hangers.

o If your entry does not have a label, please safety pin one to the back with your contact info.

o Contest entries may be retrieved at the conclusion of WQS between 4:30 - 5:00 pm or at Wisconsin Museum of Quilts & Fiber Arts during museum hours through March 31: Wed-Sat 10am-4pm, Sun 12pm-4pm.

o Challenge entries will be on view at WMQFA following the Winter Quilt Show and through March 2. Pick up at the museum begins March 7 during regular museum hours.

o Entries not claimed by March 29 become the property of WMQFA.

o Entries may be delivered to WMQFA during the dates and times listed or may be mailed to the museum.

o Delivery cost for entries not made in person are the responsibility of the entrant. Return label and postage must be included and are the responsibility of the entrant.

o We reserve the right to limit accepted entries due to exhibit space constraints. To ensure your entry is one of the limited pieces accepted, please complete the online form, save as a pdf (your last name-piece name as filename; this is best done on laptop/desktop with Adobe PDF installed) and email to winterquiltshow@wiquiltmuseum.com in advance of drop off dates.

o Entry limit of five per person.

o Entries should be submitted folded, with the reverse side and label showing.

2026 Prizes

Prizes per category: 1st Place $50, 2nd Place $30, 3rd Place $20, except Best of Show at $150, Challenge at $100 & Viewer’s Choice at $100. All entries will be judged, except Viewer’s Choice.

Winners will be designated by ribbons for 1st, 2nd & 3rd Place (except Best of Show and Challenge). Viewer’s Choice winner will be announced via the museum’s Barn Blast and on this page a few days after the show ends.

1. Large Quilt (any technique, perimeter measures greater than 280”): Barn Door Quilts

2. Lap Quilt (any technique, perimeter measures between 160”-280”): Aurifil

3. Small Quilt (any technique, perimeter measures less than 160”): Carol Butzke AQS Certified Textile Appraiser

4. Modern Quilt (any size, quilt that uses minimalism, bold color/contrast, asymmetry, primarily solid colors, critical and/or expressive use of negative space): Barn Door Quilts

5. Improv/Art Quilt (any size, non-traditional, style may be landscape, pictorial, portrait, abstract, collage -or- free and flexible with no defined structure developed as quilter stitches): Brynwood Needleworks

6. Youth under 18 (made entirely by entrant/NO CHARGE FOR ENTRY): Heuer’s Sewing Center

7. Miscellaneous Sewn/Quilted (decor, personal/table accessories, wearables): Pins & Pieces Quilt Shop

8. Fiber Art (not quilted - knit, crochet, woven, lace, tatted, needlework, etc.): Mackinac Island Quilting Art Seminar

9. Barn Quilt (24” x 24” max size, limited to 10 entries): Barn Quilt Headquarters

10. Challenge Quilt: Texas Roadhouse

11. Best in Show: Electric Needle

12. Viewer’s Choice: Sponsored by The Quilting Connection