Call For Entries

Purpose

This biennial exhibition was established to provide a venue for quilters of all faiths who see their work as a connection to the sacred and/or as an expression of their spiritual journey. The first exhibit was held in 2001 and the exhibit is held in June of odd numbered years. Our next exhibit is June 17-28, 2009.

Eligibility

Sacred Threads is open only to quilters within the United States and Canada. Only quilts or quilted hangings will be considered. A quilt is a fabric sandwich comprised of three layers: a top, a back and filling which are held together with quilting or tying threads. Integration of non-fabric items is acceptable, however, altered books and items mounted on stretcher bars or framed cannot be accommodated.

Quilts submitted should explore themes of joy, spirituality, peace/brotherhood, inspiration, grief, or healing. Personal expressions of faith are encouraged. Quilts must be an original design or an original execution of a traditional pattern. Quilt dimensions must not be less than 12" x 12" nor exceed 72"(width) x 84"(height) and each quilt must have a 4" hanging sleeve and an identifying label on the back of the quilt. Quilts exhibited at previous Sacred Threads exhibits are not eligible.

Quilts requiring special support frames or entered with dowels or which contain fragile or breakable embellishments will not be accepted for the show. We reserve the right to refuse quilts which are controversial or felt to be inappropriate to the theme of the exhibition.

A limited number of works can be exhibited so that both the front and back sides of the quilt are visible. This will be limited to works with significant "back art" - if you wish your quilt to be hung in this manner, you must indicate this in your application and submit images of BOTH the front and the back of the quilt.

Entry Process

In 2009 the jurying process will be done from digital images only. Entrants should submit two images per entry (one overall view and one detail view). As noted above, if significant "back art" is present, 4 images should be submitted for review. All images must be of publication quality.

Each entry must also include an artist's statement of no more than 100 words describing the story or the inspiration behind the quilt. Entries must be received no later than January 9 of the exhibit year. The number of works included in the exhibit will depend on the number of entries submitted and the space available.

Digital Images

Digital images must be saved as a high quality JPEG file. Images must accurately reflect the appearance of the quilt.  Any digital image correction, aside from cropping, should be done only to ensure accuracy, and should not artificially enhance the image.  Jurors reserve the right to refuse any quilt that differs significantly from the image submitted. We suggest using at least a 3 megapixel camera at the highest resolution. Finished images should be at least 1800 pixels on the longest side. 

Please name the image files with your last name, quilt title, and image view. (For example, Ellis_Creation_Full,  Ellis_Creation_Detail.)  If you have any questions about finding the resolution of your digital image, please contact Lisa Ellis at lisa@ellisquilts.com.

To learn more about how to prepare your digital images for submission, read an article by award winning quiltmaker Gloria Hansen in the November issue of Quilters Newsletter. Also, Gloria Hansen's new book Digital Essentials, The Quilt Makers Must Have Guide to Images, Files, and More is a tremendous resource. To learn more or purchase this book, visit Gloria Hansen's website.

Entry Fee

A $20 non-refundable entry fee will cover submission of up to two quilts.

Notification of Acceptance

Jury selection will be completed by March 21 of the exhibit year and entrants will be notified of the juror's decision by mail during the last week of March. The decision of the jurors is final.

Once the actual work is received, Sacred Threads reserves the right to disqualify from the exhibit any work which is soiled, torn, poorly crafted or a substitution from the original entry.

Shipping of Accepted Work

Works must be shipped to and from the exhibit at the quilter's expense. No C.O.D. deliveries will be accepted. All quilts must be shipped in a sturdy, reusable, well-labeled box.  Each quilt accepted MUST be sent in a separate box.

The acceptance letter will include instructions on packing your quilt and for those individuals wishing to hand deliver and pick up their quilts. All quilts will be returned by the same carrier from which they were received.

Entrants are responsible for insurance during shipping to and from the exhibition. Quilts will be insured by Sacred Threads for the duration of the exhibition for a maximum value of $1,000. Additional insurance will be provided only for quilts with a certified appraisal of over $1,000. Please include the written appraisal when you ship your quilt.

If the accepted work is sold prior to the exhibition, the entrant must make arrangements with the new owner to make the work available for the exhibition. No quilt accepted for the exhibition may be withdrawn prior to the completion of the exhibit.

Submitting Entries (By Mail or On-Line)

We  have two methods for submitting entries for the 2009 show. You can either put all the information on a CD and mail in your entry and fee or submit your information including images and payment on-line.

On-Line Entries

 (We will start taking on-line entries on December 1st.  Please check back with us then.)

To submit your entry on-line, click the  On-Line Entry Form. Please print a copy of the confirmation page for your records. If you have questions or problems, please contact Lisa Ellis at lisaellis@sacredthreadsquilts.com.

Pay $20 here using a credit card or with your PayPal account:

Mail-in Entries

The CD must be labeled with the quilter's name, quilt category (e.g., spirituality, joy), quilt title, and dimensions of the quilt. The CD will not be returned.

Please submit both a printed copy and a computer file of the artist’s statement saved in MS Word or Rich Text format saved on the CD containing your digital images. The artist’s statement should include your contact information as well as the title of the quilt, quilt dimensions and the quilt category at the top of the page. A one sentence summary of the artist’s statement for use in the show booklet should also be included with the statement.

Checklist For Mail-in Entry Enclosures

To be considered for Sacred Threads, the following items must be submitted for each quilt:

• CD containing digital images of each quilt and artist statement
• $20 entry fee (covers up to 2 quilts). Make checks out to Sacred Threads.
• Completed Mail-in entry form
• Printed copy of the artist’s statement describing the inspiration for each quilt
• One sentence summary of the artist statement for inclusion in the show booklet

Mail entry form and the above items to: