Quilt Show Season

My years have fallen into a seasonal pattern, driven by quilt shows. As any artist knows, entering your work in a show is fraught with a stew of emotions ranging from anxiety to vulnerability to imposter syndrome to fearlessness to pride, along with hours of preparation.

A work of art expresses the deepest feelings of the maker, in a form unique to their talents. One feels exposed and judged. But we do it anyway.

Quilt exhibits entered this season: QuiltCon 2026 held at the Raleigh Convention Center, Of Place shown at ArtSpace in Raleigh NC, ArtQuiltsJourney the annual exhibit of the Professional Art Quilters Alliance shown at the Page-Walker Art and History Center Cary NC, Capital Quilters Guild annual quilt show shown at the NC State Fair Grounds.

Most of my recent works are either given as gifts or kept for shows. The ones I keep for shows are like beloved treasures, with larger ones rolled up on pool noodles and swaddled with wraps, and smaller ones kept flat in storage bins. I also recycle some around the house, swapping them out when the mood strikes.

I prefer to enter my quilts in local shows, so I can deliver and pick them up personally. Too many horror stories about lost, stolen, and damaged works have convinced me not to take those risks. For many years I declined to have them judged, telling myself I knew more about the work than some stranger. I knew everything I did right and wrong, I remember exactly where every single mistake was hidden. I already made up my mind about it and didn't need someone else's opinion. But lately I've softened on that view, interested in the impressions of judges, other quilters and non-quilters. So now I submit them all for judging. I've gathered up a few ribbons and some sales.

A few recent ribbons won in quilt shows.

I keep all my quilt-related information in databases. When I read about an upcoming show, I log it and start considering whether to enter and what quilts will be available. Some have themes, but many are pretty eclectic. Decisions to make: Will it be done on time? Does it fit the theme? Right size and shape? Rules about how recently it was completed? Special hanging requirements? Entry fees? Does the show schedule conflict with other shows? I back-schedule so I can meet photography and submission dates, and get to work.

Screenshot of my quilt database, which includes data on each quilt, size, dates, hours spent on each task, start and completion dates, construction, shows entered, awards won, quilts sold, final disposition, fabric stash, fabric purchases and miscellaneous notes.

Alternate hanging options: Icicles and Rhombus Rumba have extended sleeves that rise above the top of the quilt so they will hang straight from the poles. The extended sleeves are black to blend in with the background drape.

Then the nail-biting begins, waiting for the acceptance email. If rejected, it goes back into storage; accepted, I prep it for exhibition, deliver it, and finally, visit the exhibit to see how it was hung and how many people are admiring it, and take a few pictures in the gallery for the record.

This season, I submitted 14 quilts into 5 shows. 6 rejected, 8 accepted. One (its pattern and kits) were for sale in a booth, 5 included in a guild quilt show, two are on display at galleries through March and April. One took home a ribbon. Another has already sold.

Cabochon pattern debut, Day Lilies at ArtSpace, My Village at ArtQuiltsJourney, Orange, Icicles, Rhombus Rumba, Wind Chimes and Capricious Copper in the Capital Quilters Show at State Fair Park.

Now that the shows are over, I can heave a big sigh of relief and turn my attention to the art quilts I have been designing in my head for months. The season will change from the public-facing quilt show season back to the contemplative quilt making season. I’m already working on another improv piece.

New art quilt in progress.