Awards: 

Best in Show

This $10,000 prize is awarded from the 1st place winners in all judged categories. The category from which Best In Show is selected will have the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th place quilts all move up one spot.

Best Machine Quilting

This $2,000 prize can be awarded to any quilt in the judged show. This award recognizes excellent machine quilting that enhances the design and impact of a quilt. The quilting may be done on a longarm or domestic sewing machine. Quilting done with a pantograph is not eligible for this award.

Best Hand Quilting

This $2,000 prize can be awarded to any quilt in the judged show of which hand quilting is 60% or more of the quilting used. This award recognizes excellent use and execution of hand quilting to enhance the design and impact of a quilt.

Best Original Modern Design

This $2,000 prize can be awarded to any quilt in the judged show. The aim of this award is to recognize excellent modern design that enhances the impact of a quilt.

MQG Breakthrough Award

This $3,000 prize can be awarded to any innovative, outstanding, or otherwise noteworthy modern quilt from a quilter who is newer to modern quilting or QuiltCon.

MQG Award of Excellence

This $2,000 prize can be awarded to any quilt in the judged show that the MQG determines to merit an award and that, after the judging process, has not received one.

People's Choice

This $2,000 prize can be awarded to any quilt in the judged show that the people vote as their favorite. This is awarded on the last day of the show. 

Categories & Entry

QuiltCon includes a juried quilt show featuring hundreds of modern quilts. Quilts that are juried into the show will be judged, and winners in each category will win awards and prizes from our generous sponsors. Entrants are welcome to enter as many quilts as they would like. A maximum of four quilts per entrant will be accepted to the show. 

Quilt entry for QuiltCon 2026 opens September 1, 2025. 

The quilts in the following show challenge categories will be judged and awarded 1st Place ($2000), 2nd Place ($500), and 3rd Place ($200) prizes. Full details about these challenges are announced in May, in the Modern Monday emails.

Windham Fabric Challenge

Hillary Goodwin, our featured speaker for QuiltCon 2026, has selected six beautiful Artisan Cottons by Windham Fabrics for you to work with in this year’s fabric challenge!

American Patchwork & Quilting Challenge

For QuiltCon 2026, the MQG and American Patchwork & Quilting want to see your take on diamonds in modern quilts.

The quilts in the following show categories will be judged and awarded 1st Place ($1,000), 2nd Place ($500), and 3rd Place ($200) prizes.

Group or Bee Quilts

Quilts in this category must be made by three or more people.

Appliqué

Quilts in this category must include either machine or hand appliqué.

Handwork

Quilts in this category include at least one element of handwork, not including binding. 

Improvisation

Quilts must be pieced improvisationally (without a defined pattern or template).

Minimalist Design

Quilts must demonstrate simplification of content and form for maximum visual impact.

Modern Traditionalism

Quilts must have traditional aesthetics used in a modern quilt, either through modernized quilt blocks or quilt patterns, or elements of traditional motifs.

Piecing

Quilts must be machine pieced and reflect a strong or innovative use of piecing.

Small Quilts

Quilts must have a total perimeter of 119” or smaller. The quilt can be any shape.

Use of Negative Space

Quilts must incorporate a creative or significant use of negative space.

Youth

Entrants 18 years and younger at the time of entry (quilters are excluded from age requirement).

Judging Criteria

Each category is evaluated using the following criteria:

Design

• Elements of the modern aesthetic

• Visual impact

• Use of balance

• Use of color

• Use of contrast/value

• Fabric choices

• Innovation/Creativity

Workmanship

• Overall construction

• Piecing

• Binding or edge finishing

Quilting

• Execution

• Thread choice

• Complements the piecing/appliqué design

Additionally, some categories have category-specific criteria the judges look for. Those are listed below for each category. 

Appliqué

• Innovation/creativity

• Execution

Handwork

• Innovation/creativity

• Execution

Improvisation

• Innovation/creativity

• Execution

Minimalist Design

• Principles of minimalism

Modern Traditionalism

• Innovation and reinterpretation

Use of Negative Space

• Innovation/creativity