A quilted exhibit is made up of at least 3 layers. Exhibits must be quilted or tied through all layers. Fleece blankets are not eligible. Each quilt must have a permanent label on the back in the bottom right corner with quilter’s name and date of completion. Entry cards and supporting information must be attached using a safety pin. No straight pins please.
In Quilt Quest, 4-H’ers learn skills as they progress through the project. The less experienced 4-H exhibitor will select fabric, cut, and sew together only squares or rectangles in making the quilt top. They may have additional guidance in piecing the quilt block and layering together the quilt top, inner batting and the quilt bottom. Another person can do the quilting for them.
In the Premier class, the 4-H’er has developed skills to be able to do all of the work; including pattern and fabric selection, cutting and sewing individual pieces, layering the quilt top/batting/backing together, and quilting. Quilting may be done by hand, by sewing machine or by a commercial-grade quilting machine. After quilting, the 4-H’er must finish the quilt by "squaring it up," put binding on the edge, and place a label on the quilt which provides details about the quilt making process for historical purposes.
For all classes, 4-H’ers can choose fabrics for the quilt by selecting fabric from fabric bolts. 4-H’ers may also use “fabric collections” offered by manufacturers in a particular designer or fabric line. Examples of fabric collections include:
- Jelly Rolls are made of (up to) 40 different strips of 2½” wide fabric laying on top of one another and rolled up to look like a jelly roll. The fabrics are created by one designer or fabric line and complement each other. In many cases, less skilled 4-H'ers find it difficult to cut narrow strips with a rotary cutter and ruler, so this fabric selection may make it easier as they learn.
- Honey Buns are made like the Jelly Rolls with 1½” strips of fabrics.
- Layer Cakes are 10" squares of fabric “layered” on top of one another to look like a piece of cake.
- Charm Packs are made of 5" squares of coordinating fabric and may be tied up with a string or scrap of fabric.
- Candies are 2½” squares of fabric from a manufactured designer or fabric line.
- Turnover is a collection of coordinating fabrics that are cut into 6” triangles.
- Fat Quarters are ½ yard cuts of fabric which are cut in half to make a rectangle approximately 18”x21”. (One half yard of fabric yields 2 fat quarters).The “fat quarter” can be more economical to purchase for a smaller quilt because the purchaser does not have to buy the entire yardage width.
- Fabric Kit is a collection of fabrics cut in large pieces to accommodate the requirements of a particular quilt pattern. The 4-H’er must cut smaller squares, rectangles, etc. to make the quilt top according to the pattern directions.
After fabric selection, youth can use a variety of tools for cutting the fabric and completing the quilt. Cutting into pattern pieces may include hand roller die cutting machines that cut shapes which can be appliqued to fabric. This is allowed in the construction of the quilt.
Division 229: Quilt Quest
C229010 - Exploring Quilts Illustrate some aspect of quilts or quilt making. Examples include, but are not limited to: language arts, quilts of different cultures, chemistry, design, preservation, history, construction, math-conversion of quilt patterns, textiles/fabrics, computerization, or entrepreneurship. History may include history of an old quilt or history/research of a particular style of quilt such as Baltimore album quilts or Amish quilts. Exhibit may be a 14”x22” poster, notebook, CD, PowerPoint, Prezi, DVD, YouTube, or other technique. All items in an exhibit must be attached together and labeled. NO quilted items should be entered in this class.
C229020 - Quilt Designs other than Fabric Two or three dimensional item with quilt design made using medium other than fabric, such as stained glass, paper, etc.
C229021 - Barn Quilt less than 4’x4’ must include supporting information tag (elements or principles of design used and steps taken to complete project).
C229022 - Barn Quilt 4’x4’ or larger must include supporting information tag (elements or principles of design used and steps taken to complete project).
C229030 - Computer Exploration Poster or notebook with a minimum of six computer generated quilt designs or color variations on a quilt design. Include information on type of program used, process used to generate designs, or how you used color to create different quilt designs. Size of poster or notebook to be suitable for the exhibit.
C229040 - Wearable Art Quilted clothing or clothing accessory which must have a recognizable amount of quilting and may include fabric manipulation. Quilting must be done by 4-H member. On a half sheet of 8½”x11” paper, tell how you selected the design and fabrics including whether or not you used a kit, jelly roll, charm squares, etc.
C229041 - Inter-Generational Quilt A quilt made by a 4-H member and family members or friends of different generations. On a half-sheet of 8½”x11” paper answer the following questions: A) How was the quilt planned and who did what in the construction of the quilt? B) How did you select the design and fabrics including whether or not you used a kit, jelly roll, charm squares, etc.? C) What did you learn that you can use on your next project?
C229042 - Service Project Quilt A quilt constructed by a 4-H member or group to be donated to a worthy cause. On a half sheet of 8½”x11” paper, include an explanation answering the following questions: A) Why was the quilt constructed and who will receive the donated quilt? B) How did you select the design and fabrics used including whether or not you used a kit, jelly roll, charm squares, etc.? C) What did you do and what was done by others? D) What did you learn that you can use on your next project?
In classes 50-83, all quilt piecing and finishing must be the sole work of the 4-H member. Quilting, whether machine or hand quilted, may be done by another individual except for the Premier Quilt class. No pre-quilted fabric may be used. Wall quilts must have a hanging sleeve on the back of the quilt or some method for hanging. All quilted exhibits must be clean and finished for intended purpose. On a half sheet of 8½”x11” paper, include an explanation answering the following questions: A) How did you select the design and fabrics including whether or not you used a kit, jelly roll, charm squares, etc.? B) What did you do and what was done by others? C) What did you learn you can use on your next project?
Sizes of Quilted Exhibits
Small: length + width = less than 60”. This size includes miniature quilts, wall hangings, table runners, placemats (4), and pillows. All items must be quilted. Pillows must have a quilted top, not just pieced patchwork.
Medium: length + width = 61” to 120”
Large: length + width = over 120”
Pieced quilts made up of squares and/or rectangles. Attach card.
C229050 - Small
C229051 - Medium
C229052 – Large
In addition to methods in classes 50-52, quilts may have triangles, and/or may be embroidered. Attach card.
C229060 - Small
C229061 - Medium
C229062 - Large
In addition to any of the methods in classes 50–62, quilts may have curved piecing, applique, Celtic style, stained glass style, paper piecing, art quilt style, or other non-traditional styles. (An art quilt is an original exploration of a concept or idea rather than a handed down “pattern.” It experiments with textile manipulation, color, texture and/or a diversity of mixed media.) Attach card.
C229070 - Small
C229071 - Medium
C229072 - Large
Premier Quilt. Entire quilt is the sole work of the 4-H member, including quilting (hand or machine). Tied quilts are not eligible for this class. Attach card.
C229080 - Hand quilted
C229081 - Sewing machine quilted
C229082 - Long arm quilted—non-computerized/hand guided
C229083 - Long arm quilted—computerized