Awards, Categories, and Judging Criteria

Below you will find everything you need to compete in the juried QuiltCon quilt show. 

Quilt Show Top Awards

Best in Show

This $10,000 prize is awarded from the 1st place winners in all judged categories. The category from which Best In Show is selected will have the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th place quilts all move up one spot.

Best Machine Quilting

This $2,000 prize can be awarded to any quilt in the judged show. This award recognizes excellent machine quilting that enhances the design and impact of a quilt. The quilting may be done on a longarm or domestic sewing machine. Quilting done with a pantograph is not eligible for this award.

Best Hand Quilting

This $2,000 prize can be awarded to any quilt in the judged show of which hand quilting is 60% or more of the quilting used. This award recognizes excellent use and execution of hand quilting to enhance the design and impact of a quilt.

Best Original Modern Design

This $2,000 prize can be awarded to any quilt in the judged show. The aim of this award is to recognize excellent modern design that enhances the impact of a quilt.

MQG Breakthrough Award

This $3,000 prize can be awarded to any innovative, outstanding, or otherwise noteworthy modern quilt from a quilter who is newer to modern quilting or QuiltCon.

MQG Award of Excellence

This $2,000 prize can be awarded to any quilt in the judged show that the MQG determines to merit an award and that, after the judging process, has not received one.

People's Choice

This $2,000 prize can be awarded to any quilt in the judged show that the people vote as their favorite. This is awarded on the last day of the show. 

judging 2024

Judging Criteria

Each category is evaluated using the following criteria:

Design

  • Elements of the modern aesthetic

  • Visual impact

  • Use of balance

  • Use of color

  • Use of contrast/value

  • Fabric choices

  • Innovation/Creativity

Workmanship
  • Overall construction

  • Piecing

  • Binding or edge finishing

Quilting
  • Execution

  • Thread choice

  • Complements the piecing/appliqué design

Additionally, some categories have category-specific criteria the judges look for. Those are listed below for each category. 

Appliqué
  • Innovation/creativity

  • Execution

Handwork
  • Innovation/creativity

  • Execution

Improvisation
  • Innovation/creativity

  • Execution

Minimalist Design
  • Principles of minimalism

Modern Traditionalism
  • Innovation and reinterpretation

Use of Negative Space
  • Innovation/creativity

women viewing quilt

Quilt Show News

In 2024, the MQG was awarded a generous grant from the Maxwell Hanrahan Foundation to increase QuiltCon quilt show award monies and add a new award. Beginning with QuiltCon 2025, the MQG Breakthrough Award was awarded for the first time. This award is given to an outstanding, innovative, or otherwise noteworthy quilt from a modern quilter who is newer to modern quilting or QuiltCon. And...all quilt show awards have doubled!

QuiltCon ribbons

View Past Winners!

The QuiltCon Winners Gallery features all of the winning quilts from the previous shows. Check out the gallery for inspiration and a sampling of the kinds of quilts you'll find at QuiltCon!

QuiltCon Winners Gallery