QuiltCon 2022 Award Ribbons

Hi friends,

It's that time of year again - QuiltCon 2022! QuiltCon is presented by the Modern Quilt Guild and is the largest modern quilting show of its kind. This year it is being held in Phoenix, AZ from today February 16th - 20th. 

Each year thousands of quilters, fans of quilts and quilter's family and friends attend the show to see hundreds of modern quilts on display, including a juried quilt show with entries from the MQG members from around the world. 

I have been making the award ribbons for a few years now, and they are definitely a labor of love. There are many layers, some machine sewing, some hand sewing, hot glue, die cutting, button making.... there is a lot that goes into each award presented at the show. 

Sharing the finished ribbons each year is one of my favorite things - so I hope you enjoy this year's batch! 

Although I do not have a quilt in the show this year and will not be attending - I will have some of my work shown next to some pretty impressive quilts..... and now on to the awards!

Before I get started I will answer a couple of questions to get that out of the way.

Q: Is there a pattern for the award ribbons you make every year?  

A: The pattern for the awards is something I have been working on for a while now. I hope to have it finished this year - but it is taking some time. There are multiple layers to the ribbons and the details are difficult to illustrate so videos will have to be made for some of the instructions. I have been promising a pattern for a while now... but in reality - it's just me running the show here and it's hard to find time to get it all done... so long story short. Pattern will eventually be available - it is not ready yet.   

Q: Do you make award ribbons to sell?

A: At the moment I do not, it is something I might do in the future. 

Fabrics used on this years awards

Each year I try to think about what fabrics are popular with Modern Quilting, what represents the colors used for each category and what sponsors are working with QuiltCon that year. 

This year I decided to go with Moda fabrics designer V and Co. also known as Vanessa Christenson. She is the amazing designer behind multiple fabric designs and the woman that started the most fun line of Ombrè fabrics. 

Each year it seems like she releases a new spin on the Ombrè look - with her upcoming line Ombrè Galaxy releasing this spring. 

For this years ribbons I wanted to go with a classic solid ombrè look using her first line in this design. Each category has its own color and I used the three different sizes that will be in the pattern for first, second and third place. 

For the special awards I went with a Moda Bella solid in white, and used eight of the Ombrè colors for the asterisks detail. 

Best in Show

For the Best in Show award I used Ombrè Fairy Dust in Off White. This award is slightly larger than the large first place ribbon size and has additional tails. I loved this fairy dust fabric - the metallic silver and gold and how beautiful the all white look was for the biggest award at the show. 

Best in Show - is selected by the judges from the 1st place quilts in each category. 

Special Category Awards

For the special categories:

• People's choice - this award is voted on by QuiltCon attendees and presented on the closing day of the show.
• Quilting Excellence - is awarded by the sponsor, this year: Modern Quilt Guild
• Machine Quilting / Framed - selected by judges from any quilt in the show.
• Machine Quilting / Frameless - selected by judges from any quilt in the show. 

For this design I wanted a similar look to the all white of the Best in Show but added in some touches from the different categories by using eight of the Ombrè solids for the asterisks feature. 

Judges Choice

Judges Choice ribbons are selected as the favorites by each of the three judges. This year Wendy Chow, Cindy Erickson and Meghan Fernandes took on the job of meticulously looking at all of the quilts. This is definitely not an easy task and the entire process from what I hear is extensive. You can read more about the process here.

I used the same design plan for the judge ribbons as the special categories - a mostly white look like the Best in Show along with small touches from the different categories. 

Challenge Quilts

This year there were two different challenges given to MQG members - the Hexagon Quilting Challenge and the Artisan Cotton Fabric Challenge. 

Hexagon Quilting Challenge

This year, American Patchwork & Quilting and the MQG wanted to see what members could do with hexagons. I REALLY WISH I had a chance to submit a modern hexies project but am beyond excited to see the creativity that resulted from this particular challenge. Since I didn't have time to make and submit a quilt - I got a little sneaky and decided I would still have a bit of a "quilt" there in the show. 

For each place I wanted to keep a bit of the all white I used on the Best in Show and Special Categories ribbons and picked a color from the Ombrè solids. I added a bit of flair using my modern hexies method - you can find that here in the Hexie Pillow pattern - and added a colorful ombrè hexagon look to the center tail. I had the MOST fun making these and am so happy it worked out!

Artisan Cotton Fabric Challenge

This year's fabric challenge was sponsored by Windham Fabrics used bundles of Artisan cotton, a gorgeous cross weave cotton fabric line with rich colors and visual depth. 

The members had to use at least three of the four challenge fabrics, and could add in Windham Artisan Cotton neutrals from the approved list. 

I chose three of the Artisan Cottons and made each ribbon using an individual color. This is the second time I have had the chance to sew with this fabric line and I will say the material is amazing. Some of the colors almost change colors depending on the angle you look at them. For example - the third place color is gray / pink / light aqua depending on the angle, I'm definitely using that color in a quilt soon!

Youth

Youth - this category entrants must be 18 years and younger at the time of entry (quilters are excluded from age requirement). 

I chose V and Co. Ombrè in Cherry for this award. 

Modern Traditionalism

Modern Traditionalism - Quilts must modernize a traditional block or quilt pattern with modern design elements. 

I chose V and Co. Ombrè in Cayenne for this award. 

Handwork

Handwork - Quilts in this category include at least one element of handwork.

I chose V and Co. Ombrè in Tangerine for this award. 

Improvisation

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

I chose V and Co. Ombrè in Mustard for this award. 

Group or Bee

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

I chose V and Co. Ombrè in Lime Green for this award. 

Appliqué

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

I chose V and Co. Ombré in Kelly for this award.

Piecing

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

I chose V and Co. Ombré in Teal for this award. 

Use of Negative Space

Use of Negative Space - Quilts must incorporate a creative or significant use of negative space. 

I chose V and Co. Ombré in Turquoise for this award. 

Small Quilts

Small Quilts - Quilts must have a total perimeter of 119" or smaller/ The quilt can be any shape. 

I chose V and Co. Ombré in Nantucket for this award. 

Minimalist Design

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

I chose V and Co. Ombré in Graphite Grey for this award. 

Next year's event will be in Atlanta on February 23 - 26, and I am so excited to attend! I am hoping I can get some time to first finish this pattern for you and then hopefully make a quilt to enter into the show. 

I hope you enjoyed getting a peek at the awards this year and be sure to sign up for the Modern Handcraft newsletter below so you can get a heads up on when the pattern is all finished and available!

Thanks for stopping by friends,

Nicole