The following is the list of quilt categories for the 2026 CAQG Quilt Show.

There will also be Special Awards given for exemplary work in various categories.

Quilts or other items that have been entered into previous CAQG Quilt Shows are not eligible to be entered again.

Quilt Entry Rules

  • Some of your quilts/entries may fit into more than one category but only one category can be chosen on the entry form, choose the one category that fits the best.

  • All entries must be at least three layers and quilted. , except for bags, household items and wearables

  • All entries must have a sewn-on label identifying the name of the entrant and name of the quilt. The names identified at entry and on the quilt/entry must be the same.

  • All quilts 41 inches in width or wider MUST have a sleeve for hanging (4”). Must be sewn on and edge to edge.

  • Maximum size of any quilt entry will be 480” perimeter (120” x 120”/10 feet x 10 feet)

  • Identification of the person who has quilted the quilt/entry must be identified

  • The person entering the quilt/entry will be the person who will win the award

  • Quilts/entries that require special handling will be accepted into the show at the discretion of the Quilt Show Committee.  If your quilt/entry requires special handling, you must contact the Quilt Show Chair by email (quiltshow@centralalbertaquilters.org) before the registration deadline of 8 pm, April 19/26 to discuss.

  • Any quilt/entry deemed unfit to hang will be removed from the show (eg - dirty, smelling like smoke, excessive loose threads, pet hair, profanities, etc)

  • Quilt show committee has the right to adjust categories or remove an item

  • Questions can be directed to the show committee at quiltshow@centralalbertaquilters.org

Quilt Entry Categories & Prizes

Please choose the best category to describe your entry.

 Art Quilts

A creative, stitched and layered textile artwork created using both modern and traditional quilting techniques as a non-utilitarian visual art object rather than for practical use. A unique expression of the maker’s ideas or emotions, and innovative use of materials and techniques based on a pattern or the maker’s own design. Typically hung or mounted.

All Art Quilts must have a sleeve regardless of size.

Bag

All Sizes - wallets, retreat bags, purses, backpacks, tote bags, duffle type bags.

No sleeve is required on these items.

Block of the Month or Sew Along

Any quilt pieced as a result of a group sew along, either on a schedule or not (such as the Guild Mystery Quilt).

All quilts 41 inches in width or wider MUST have a sleeve for hanging (4”).

Child Themed Quilt

Must be made using child themed fabric and/or a child themed design or motif. Can be any size not exceeding the maximum allowable size.

All quilts 41 inches in width or wider MUST have a sleeve for hanging (4”).

  • Second Place $50 sponsored by: Auntie Sheila’s Quilting Room

Collaborative Quilt

A quilt top made by a minimum of 4 people. The quilter who assembles/pieces the top is the person who can enter the quilt. All contributor's names must be on the quilt label and listed at entry for the quilt show label (printed form).

All quilts 41 inches in width or wider MUST have a sleeve for hanging (4”).

  • First Place $100 sponsored by:

Embroidery, Applique (Machine) or Embellished

Machine embroidery or applique. Machine pieced with embellished additions.

All quilts 41 inches in width or wider MUST have a sleeve for hanging (4”).

  • First Place $100 sponsored by:

  • Second Place $50 sponsored by:

Foundation Paper/Paperless Piecing

Must be pieced using Paper or Paperless piecing. Foundation paper-piecing is when the outline of a quilt block is printed on a paper or freezer paper foundation and fabric is sewn together using the outline as a sewing guide.

All quilts 41 inches in width or wider MUST have a sleeve for hanging (4”).

  • First Place $100 sponsored by:

  • Second Place $50 sponsored by:

Guild Challenge

Open to Guild Members only.

Specific Challenge as presented to Members (2025 is the Paint Chip Challenge). Size – Max 100” perimeter

Quilt does not require a sleeve.

  • First Place $100 sponsored by: Central Alberta Quilters’ Guild

Handwork

Kwandi, Hand Piecing, English Paper Piecing (EPP), Hand Applique or Hand Embroidery. Hand sewing must be the prominent technique of the entry.

All quilts 41 inches in width or wider MUST have a sleeve for hanging (4”).

  • First Place $100 sponsored by: Jeffrey Murray

  • Second Place $50 sponsored by:

Household Items

Household items such as: table runners, place mats, foot stools, potholders, etc.

All quilts 41 inches in width or wider MUST have a sleeve for hanging (4”).

  • First Place $100 sponsored by:

Modern

Modern quilts generally rely less on rules and order; they are often asymmetrical, and are made of a minimalist design. Entry into this category is based more on the pattern than the fabric used.

All quilts 41 inches in width or wider MUST have a sleeve for hanging (4”).

Two sub-categories:

Small Quilt - up to 249”

  • First Place $100 sponsored by:

  • Second Place $50 sponsored by:

Large Quilt - 250” or larger

  • Second Place $50 sponsored by:


Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Recycled fabrics/quilts (dollies, denim jeans, etc), found and finished, Memorial quilts, T-shirt quilts, scrap quilts

All quilts 41 inches in width or wider MUST have a sleeve for hanging (4”).

  • $100 sponsored by:

Traditional Quilt

Simple or complex quilt; they may be made of traditional blocks or of many repetitions of the same block, are usually in orderly rows.

All quilts 41 inches in width or wider MUST have a sleeve for hanging (4”).

Two sub-categories:

Small Quilt - up to 249”

  • First Place $100 sponsored by:

  • Second Place $50 sponsored by:

Large Quilt - 250” or larger

Wall Hangings

These are quilts made to hang on a wall for display. They can be of any size within the maximum allowable, and made using any style of quilting.

All quilts 41 inches in width or wider MUST have a sleeve for hanging (4”).

  • First Place $100 sponsored by:

  • Second Place $50 sponsored by:

Wearables

Quilted wearable items. Examples: vests, jackets, shoes (if three layers and quilted), etc.

No sleeve is required on these items.

Ann Barlow Youth Quilting Awards

This category is for any quilter under the age of 18. All quilts are critiqued and ribbons are awarded to all entries.

No sleeve is required on Youth Quilts.

Special Awards

Best in Show

Judges will award to the best of all first place entries in each category. The second place quilt within the category is then moved to first place in that category.

Domestic Machine Quilting

Quilt that has been quilted using a domestic machine, not a long arm

  • $100 sponsored by:

Hand Quilting

Must be at least 80% done by hand.

  • $100 sponsored by:

Judge’s Choice (3 ribbons)

Each judge will be able to name their own Judge’s Choice Award.

Long Arm Machine Quilting

Computer Driven Design

Free Hand Driven Design (must be at least 80% free hand driven)

  • $100 sponsored by:

Original Design

Pattern must be of the maker’s original design. Improvisational, Art Quilts, etc.

Precision Pieced

Viewers’ Choice

The Viewers’ Choice quilt is voted by the Quilt Show Attendees.  The quilt with the greatest number of ballots is the winner.  The winner of the ribbon is invited to post a picture of their quilt on the CQA website and to enter the quilt for display at the Guild Rosette Invitational Show at Quilt Canada.