To celebrate 50 years of fun, friendship and quilting, Canberra Quilters Inc. would like to invite quilters from across Australia and New Zealand to take part in a quilt challenge with the theme of GOLD.
Quilt Size: 40cm x 100cm (2cm tolerance) – portrait orientation only
Entry Dates: Entries open January 12, 2026; and close March 6, 2026
Prizes: First Prize $1000
Second Prize $500
Third Prize $250
Entry Cost: $30AUD (non-refundable)
For any further information please contact: 50@canberraquilters.org.au
Challenge Rules:
• Canberra Quilters Inc. GOLD challenge is open to ALL Australian and New Zealand quilters. Membership of Canberra Quilters Inc. is not required to participate in this challenge.
• Quilts made as an individual, jointly and groups are eligible, but one person must be the primary contact for the entry, the other/s must be identified on the entry form.
• Quilters are limited to one individual quilt entry but may have contributed to others as part of a joint entry or group entry. Entries must not be commercially quilted.
• All quilts must be an original design. If inspiration has been drawn from another artwork, such as a photograph the source must be acknowledged on the entry form.
• Entries must not have previously been displayed or exhibited.
• A quilt is considered to have at least 3 layers, held together with stitching. The quilt may be a traditional (pieced, appliquéd, etc.) or an art quilt. It may be dyed, painted, printed, stencilled, embroidered, embellished and may include fibre manipulation and/or trapunto. Embellishments must not stand more than 2 cm from the surface of the quilt. The quilt may be finished using either binding or facing.
• The finished quilt be 40cm x 100cm, in portrait orientation, with a 2cm tolerance. Selected finalists must attach a hanging sleeve to their quilt for exhibition purposes. Instructions for a hanging sleeve are available on the Canberra Quilters Inc. website.
• A label with the entrant’s name, address, telephone number and email must be securely sewn to the back of the quilt, in the bottom right-hand corner, a label cover must then be in place.
• Entries to be submitted online via the Canberra Quilters Inc. website: https://canberraquilters.org.au/50th-anniversary/ and received no later than March 6, 2026.
• Entrants may submit up to four high resolution (between 2MB and 4MB each) jpgs showing the quilt. One must show a full view of the quilt, and the others may be close-up views showing the details of the work. All images must be submitted electronically and be identified by surname and quilt title. Images submitted will be used (in conjunction with the artist statement) by the panel for selection.
• Quilts must be accompanied by an artist statement, detailing the interpretation of the theme GOLD. Artist statements may be up to 150 words in length; and may be edited for clarity prior to display.
• From the submitted quilts a panel will select up to 30 quilts as finalists. These quilts will be displayed at the Canberra Quilters Inc. Exhibition in partnership with Craft Alive Canberra from 21-24 May 2026.
• Winning quilts will be selected by the judging panel, and winners will be notified by May 8, 2026. The judges’ decision is final.
• The finalist quilts will be photographed for publicity and promotional purposes and on sending your entry you automatically agree to the quilts being used for this purpose.
• Delivery and postage instructions will be provided with notification of acceptance, postage will be the quiltmakers responsibility. DO NOT SEND QUILTS PRIOR TO NOTIFICATION THAT YOU HAVE BEEN A SELECTED AS A FINALIST.
• Quilts are entered at your own risk and insurance is your responsibility. While taking every care, Canberra Quilters Inc. is not liable for any loss, damage or destruction of Exhibition items, however such loss, damage or destruction is caused, including any negligent act or omission, fault or cause.
Key Dates:
12 January 2026 Entries open
6 March 2026 Entries close
27 March 2026 Finalists notified
24 April 2026 Deadline for Canberra Quilters to receive quilts
8 May 2026 Winners notified
21 May Presentation of Prizes at Exhibition opening
21-24 May 2026 All finalist’s quilts will be displayed at the Canberra Quilters Exhibition held in partnership with Craft Alive
13 June Quilts returned by this date (unless alternative arrangements made, for example quilt sold or submitted for further exhibition).