QUILT QUEST (DEPARTMENT C) 

Each 4-H/FFA exhibitor may enter up to 3 different items in each class. 

QUILT QUEST - DIVISION 229 

Purple     $6                                  Blue   $5                                 Red   $4                       

EXHIBIT GUIDELINES

In Quilt Quest, 4-H members learn skills as they progress through the project. The least experienced 4-H member 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 member has developed skills to be able to do all of the work by himself/herself. This includes 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 member 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. 

All entry cards and support information must be attached using a safety pin. No straight pins. 

When judging Quilt Quest exhibits, the judges consider SF 209 “Standards for Judging Quilts and Quilted Items”.

For all classes, 4-H members can choose fabrics for the quilt by selecting fabric from fabric bolts. 4-H members 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 ½" 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 out 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" strips of fabrics.
  • Layer Cakes are 10 inch squares of fabric from a manufactured designer or 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 ½ 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 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 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 various shapes which can be appliqued to fabric. This is allowed in the construction of the quilt. 

  • 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 in this division. 
  • Quilts must have a permanent label on the back in the bottom right corner with quilter’s name and date of completion. 

Exploring Quilts

Class:

   10. *EXPLORING QUILTS - Illustrate some aspects 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, or Amish quilts. Exhibit may be a 14 inch x 22 inch poster, a 3-ring notebook that is 8.5 inches by 11 inches notebook, or the use of a digital platform. All items in an exhibit must be attached together and labeled. NO quilted items should be entered in this class.

   30. *COMPUTER EXPLORATION – Exhibit may be a 14 inch x 22 inch poster or a 3-ring notebook that is 8.5 inches x 11 inches 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. 

Quilt Design Other than Fabric

Class

  20. *QUILT DESIGNS OTHER THAN FABRIC - Two- or three-dimensional item with quilt design made using medium other than fabric - such as wooden quilt block, stained glass, paper, etc. Supporting information is required for this exhibit. Information must also include elements or principles of design used and steps taken to complete the project. Tag templates can be found on the Stanton County Website, http://extension.unl.edu/statewide/stanton. Exhibits without supporting information will be lowered a ribbon place.

Barn Quilts - A barn quilt is a large piece of wood that is painted to look like a quilt block.

Supporting information is required for this exhibit. Information must also include elements or principles of design used and steps taken to complete the project. Please note this is the Home Design Restoration Information Sheet (can be found on the Stanton County Website, http://extension.unl.edu/statewide/stanton.) Exhibits without supporting information will be lowered a ribbon placing.

Class

   21. *BARN QUILT – Created that is less than 4 feet x 4 feet.

   22. *BARN QUILT – Created that is 4 feet x 4 feet or larger. 

 Quilted Exhibits

 Class

   40. *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 inch 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. 

   41. *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: 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?

   42. *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: 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?

Guidelines for classes 50 - 83 Quilted Exhibits

Please note the description of classes, which denote the degree of difficulty in construction and not the number of years in the project. A quilted exhibit consists of 3 or more layers. All quilted exhibits must be quilted (hand or machine) 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: A) How did you select the design and fabrics? B) Did you use a kit, jelly roll, charm squares, etc.? C) Explain what you did and what was done by others? D) What did you learn that can be used 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 (4), 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.

  • C229050 - Small - length + width = less than 60 inches. 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.
  • C229051 - Medium - length + width = 61 inches to 120 inches
  • C229052 - Large - length + width = over 120 inches

Quilted Exhibits – Classes 60-62. Classes 70-72. In addition to any of the methods in classes 50 - 52 quilts may have triangles, and/or may be embroidered.

  • C229060 - Small - length + width = less than 60 inches. 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.
  • C229061 - Medium - length + width = 61 inches to 120 inches
  • C229062 - Large - length + width = over 120 inches

Quilted Exhibits - 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, (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.

  • C229070 - Small: length + width = less than 60 inches. 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.
  • C229071 - Medium: length + width = 61 inches to 120 inches
  • C229072 - Large: length + width = over 120 inches

Premiere Quilt - Entire quilt is 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   

   80. *Hand quilted                                                                              81. *Sewing machine quilted

   82. *Long arm quilted - non computerized/hand-guided                   83. *Long arm quilted – computerized