Exhibition FAQs
Q: Is my quilt good enough?
A: YES! Our exhibition is a show of members’ work, it is not juried or selected, we just ask that you enter your best work.
Q: How do you define a quilt?
A: A quilt is defined as having three layers, held together with stitching or tying. An exception would be a Crazy Patchwork, where traditionally batting or wadding is not used.
Q: Is there a limit to the number of entries from each person?
A: You may enter up to eight (8) items, each one requires a separate entry form and bag.
Q: Is there a fee to enter?
A: NO, entry is free for CPQG members
Q: Can someone who is not a member enter an item in the exhibition?
A: NO, all entrants must be current CPQG members at the time of entry.
Q: How do I enter my quilt?
A: This year we are providing an online Entry Form which you will find on our website. Or if you prefer, fill in the paper entry form provided and post it or deliver to a CPQG meeting before 30th September, 2024. If you need help with filling in the form, please ask a committee member, or a more experienced member. Then deliver the quilt to Papanui High School Hall on Monday 7th October between 4pm and 7pm.
Q: Can I enter something other than a bed quilt?
A: Yes, we accept entries of cushions, covered boxes, wall hangings, clothing, tuffets, etc. There is a special prize for “Not Quite a Quilt”. If you are unsure, check with a committee member.
Q: My quilt is professionally quilted. Can I still enter it?
A: Yes, you can. We have a separate award for professionally quilted items, so be sure to include the name of your quilter on your entry form.
Q: What category do I enter my quilt in?
A: You will be asked to select a category from the following list: Traditional, Applique, Contemporary/Modern, Art, or Challenge quilt
Q: What makes a quilt eligible for the recycled prize called “Nothing New”?
A: The quilt or other item must be made using recycled materials, other than the batting and thread.
Q: What information do I need to put on the entry form?
A: Fill in all sections fully, be as accurate as you can with the design source, it is really important that you acknowledge the person whose pattern you have used, or the magazine or book where you got the idea. The Quilter's Statement should tell us something about the quilt, not just who it was made for – did the colours appeal? Had you always wanted to try foundation piecing? Does the recipient have a passion for dinosaurs? Include the information YOU like to read about other quilts – is it foundation pieced/appliquéd/embroidered/English paper pieced........ Tick all the boxes which apply to you and your quilt – Professionally quilted? Group quilt? Recycled materials?
Q: Where do I put my label? What do I need to put on my label?
A: A label can be as simple as a square of fabric with your name, the title of the piece, and NFS(Not For Sale), or the PRICE you wish to sell it, written in pen , and sewn to one of the bottom corners of the back of your piece. You may wish to make a more permanent label by embroidering over the lettering, or adding a quote, or some applique. Just make sure it is clear and easy to read and attach it securely.
Q: Does my quilt bag need to be cloth?
A: A CLOTH bag is preferable, and an old pillowcase is perfect. You can make a bag using leftover fabric. Your bag needs to be CLEARLY labelled with your name and the title of the quilt and must be large enough for the folded quilt to fit in EASILY. Try to keep extra packaging to a minimum, as it makes for more work for the exhibition crew, but if you must include any cardboard rolls etc, make sure they are clearly labelled as well.
Q: What about VELCRO?
A: In order to hang the quilt on the exhibition boards they need a strip of the HOOK side of the Velcro securely sewn to the very top of the back of your quilt. The hook side of Velcro is the rough side. It will stick to your jersey or the carpet! This needs to be of a suitable width to support the weight of your quilt, so a skinny strip on a heavy large quilt will not work. It also needs to be the same width as the top of your quilt, between the bindings. The Velcro is best sewn around all sides to a strip of hemmed fabric by machine, the fabric is hand sewn to the top of your quilt, so it can't be seen from the front, making sure that your fabric strip is securely stitched all round. If there is too much slack in your strip, the weight of the quilt will pull down and the strip will show. Also, the Velcro needs to be at the very top of the back, or the top of your quilt will flop over. The soft fuzzy side of the Velcro should be clearly labelled with your name and the title of the work, pressed onto the hook Velcro to protect other quilts it may come in contact with. We remove this fuzzy Velcro, and store it in your bag, until the quilt is taken down for return to you.
Q: Does my quilt need a hanging sleeve?
A: No, we do not hang the quilts on rods, we use Velcro. If your quilt has a hanging sleeve for display in your home, then you will need to sew the Velcro to this, or add another fabric strip with Velcro attached over the hanging sleeve. It is important that however this is done, it is secure, and doesn’t permit the quilt to sag or flop.
Q: Is there a size limit for quilts?
A: No , but be aware that if your quilt is longer than the height of the display boards (about 2.4m), we may need to fold the bottom under.
Q: What is a group quilt?
A: This is defined as a quilt made by two or more people. It will be entered by one person, but others have had a hand in making it, either contributing blocks, or sharing the quilting. They should be named on the entry form. If it is a quilt made from blocks won in the CPQG Block of the month, then this qualifies as a group quilt.
Q: What is the difference between a professionally quilted item and one that is eligible for the machine quilting prize?
A: We offer a prize for professionally quilted items, where the quilter has been paid to do the quilting, either by hand, on a domestic or longarm machine. These items are only eligible for this prize. There is another prize for Best Machine Quilting, which is awarded to a quilt which has been quilted by the maker, or one of the makers, if it is a group quilt, but this quilter must NOT have been paid for doing the quilting. It may have been done on a domestic or longarm machine.
Q: What is defined as small piecing?
The criteria for the Edna Butcher Small Piecing award is as follows. “Any size of quilt, traditionally pieced by hand or machine, pieces should be 1" or smaller (excluding borders which can be any size).” This includes bags, hussifs, covered boxes etc, which Edna used to enjoy making. The small piecing should be the ‘star’ of the quilted item, not the borders. Squares must be not bigger than 1” finished, so use 1 1/2” squares (or you can do smaller squares). Hexagons: Sheets of templates are available online. A 1” hexagon is actually 2” across at its widest point so is too big to fit the criteria for small piecing. You will need to use a ¾” hexagon template or smaller.
Q: How do I put a price on my quilt?
A: If you wish to sell your quilt, you will need to specify a price on the entry form, this information is then printed at the bottom of the blurb which hangs beside your quilt in the exhibition. You need to consider the cost of the materials, and the amount of time you have spent on it. CPQG does not take a commission on sales, so you will receive the full sale price. A sale may require you to liaise with the purchaser to arrange payment and delivery, as the quilt will not be available for collection until the end of the Exhibition.
Q: When and where do I get my quilt back?
A: You can collect you quilt from Papanui High School between 5.00pm and 6.30pm on Sunday 13th October. If you are unable to do this, you will need to arrange for a friend to collect it for you., We will ask them to sign for it so we have a record of who has taken it. WE DO NOT RELEASE QUILTS BEFORE THIS TIME, as the collection process must be orderly to ensure that everyone gets the right quilt, and we know exactly who has taken them.
Reviewed March 2024