General Instructions: Quilt Quest
Beginning Quilters: In Quilt Quest, 4-H members learn skills as they progress through the project. The least 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.
Premier Class: In this class the 4-H member has developed skills to be able to do all of the work by himself/herself. This included 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-Her must finish the quilt by “squaring it up”, put binding on the edge, and placing a label on the quilt which provides details about the quilt making process for historical purposes.
For All Classes: 4-Hers can choose fabrics for the quilt by selecting fabric from fabric bolts. 4-Hers 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 2.5-inch wide fabric laying on top of one another and rolled up to look like a jelly roll. The fabric is created by one designer or fabric line and compliments each other. In many cases, less skilled 4-H members 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 1.5-inch strips of fabrics.
- Layer Cakes are 10-inch squares of fabric from a manufactured designer of fabric line with different pieces of fabric “layered” on top of one another to look like a piece of cake.
- Charm Packs are made of 5-inch squares of coordinating fabric and may be tied up with a string or scrap of fabric.
- Candies are 2.5-inch squares of fabric from a manufactured designer or fabric line.
- Turnover is a collection of coordinating fabrics that are cut into 6-inch triangles.
- Fat Quarters are 1/2 yard cuts of fabric which are cut in half to make a rectangle that is approximately 18 inches x 21 inches. (One half yard of fabric yields two 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 member must cut out all of the 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 particular shapes which can be appliqued to fabric. This is allowed in the construction of the quilt.
Quilted Exhibit: A quilted exhibit is made up of at least three layers. Quilts or quilted items must be quilted or tied through all layers.
Ineligible Exhibits: Fleece blankets are not eligible in this division.
Identification Label: Quilts must have a permanent label on the back in the bottom right corner with quilter’s name and date of completion.
Support Information: All entry cards and support information must be attached using a safety pin. No straight pins.
Supporting Information Tags: Available at: https://uofnelincoln.sharepoint.com/:w:/s/UNL-IANR4-HYouthDevelopment/ERi8e2wP9xlLuPLfFjFFvY0BIqReaElZj4VXpToynBCU4w?e=JBhrMV
Division 229
*Class 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, and entrepreneurship. History may include history of an old quilt or history/research of a particular style of quilt such as Baltimore album quilts, Amish quilts, other. Exhibit may be a 14 inch x 22 inch 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.
*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. Supporting information is required for this exhibit. (see general Quilt Quest instructions) Information must also include elements or principles of design used and steps taken to complete project. Exhibits without supporting information will be dropped a ribbon placing.
*Class C229021 Barn Quilt (less than 4 feet x 4 feet) Supporting information is required for this exhibit. (see general Quilt Quest instructions) Information must also include elements of principles of design used and steps taken to complete project. Exhibits without supporting information will be dropped a ribbon placing.
*Class C229022 Barn Quilt (4 feet x 4 feet or larger) Supporting information is required for this exhibit. (see general Quilt Quest instructions) Information must also include elements of principles of design used and steps taken to complete project. Exhibits without supporting information will be dropped a ribbon placing.
*Class C229030 Computer Exploration Poster of notebook with a minimum of six computer generated quilt designs or color variations on a quilt design. Include information of 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 to the exhibit.
*Class 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 8.5 x 11 inch paper, tell how you selected the design and fabrics including whether or not you used a kit, jelly roll, charm squares, etc.
*Class 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 8.5 inch x 11 inch paper include an explanation answering the following questions:
- How was the quilt planned and who did what in the construction of the quilt?
- How did you select the design and fabrics including whether or not you used a kit, jelly roll, charm squares etc.?
- What did you learn that you can use on your next project?
*Class 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 8.5 inch x 11 inch paper, include an explanation answering the following questions:
- Why was the quilt constructed and who will receive the donated quilt?
- How did you select the design and fabrics used including whether or not you used a kit, jelly roll, charm squares, etc.?
- What did you do and what was done by others?
- What did you learn that you can use on your next project?
Guidelines for Classes 50-83—Quilted Exhibits: Please note the description of classes. They denote degree of difficulty in construction and not the number of years in the project.
- A quilted exhibit consists of three or more layers.
- All quilted exhibits must be quilted (machine or hand) or tied.
- 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 8.5 inch x 11 inch paper, include an explanation answering the following questions:
- How did you select the design and fabrics including whether or not you used a kit, jelly roll, charm squares, etc.?
- What did you do and what was done by others?
- What did you learn that you can use on your next project?
Sizes of Quilted Exhibits:
- Small: Length + Width = Less than 60 inches. This size includes miniature quilts, wall hangings, table runners, placemats (four), and pillows. All items must be quilted. Pillows must have a quilted top, not just pieced patchwork.
- Medium: Length + Width = 61” inches to 120 inches
- Large: Length + Width = over 120 inches
—Quilted Exhibits—
Classes 50-52. Pieced quilts made up of squares and/or rectangles.
*Class C229050 Small
*Class C229051 Medium
*Class C229052 Large
In addition to any of the methods in classes 60-62, quilts may have triangles and/or may be embroidered.
*Class C229060 Small
*Class C229061 Medium
*Class C229062 Large
In addition to any of the methods in classes 70-72, quilts may have curved piecing, appliqué, Celtic style, stained glass style, paper piecing, art quilt style (An art quilt is an original exploration of a concept or idea rather than the handing down of a “pattern”. It experiments with textile manipulation, color, texture and/or a diversity of mixed media. An art quilt often pushes quilt world boundaries.), or other non-traditional styles.
*Class C229070 Small
*Class C229071 Medium
*Class C229072 Large
—Premiere Quilt—
Entire quilt in the sole work of the 4-H member, including quilting (hand or machine). The youth may receive guidance but no one else may work on the quilt. Tied quilts are not eligible for this class.
*Class C229080 Hand Quilted
*Class C229081 Sewing Machine Quilted
*Class C229082 Long Arm Quilted Non-computerized/hand guided.
*Class C229083 Long Arm Quilted Computerized.