Guidelines, Hints and Tips on entering a quilt
Read the Rules
Print out the rules and read them through thoroughly at least twice to make sure you have a clear idea of what is expected and when. Before you send in your submission, re-read the rules and cross check that you have included everything with your submission. Omitting something will cause a delay at best and a rejection at worst.
Size and shape of your quilt
The rules state that your quilt must be 18” x 24” in portrait format.
Checking your quilt before binding
Squaring up your quilt and blocking it before you put the binding on (or whatever edge treatment you are using) is good practice.
"D" Sleeve
The instructions below are deliberately only in inches - to read both inches and cms is confusing. If you need to convert them, 1inch = 2.5cm.
You have been asked to put a 4in wide sleeve on the back of your quilt. It should be set 1/2in down from the top edge and 1in in from the sides. It must be able to accommodate a wooden batten. A "D" sleeve is the best and here is how you make one:
Cut a 10in inch wide strip of a reasonably firm weave fabric (muslin is not good). The length of strip should be 1.5in shorter than the width of the quilt.
Then iron a 1/4in fold on both short ends of the strip and stitch it down.
Then iron a 1/4in fold on both short ends of the strip and stitch it down.
Now fold the strip in half lengthways and iron the fold - the orange line.
Then open it up and fold both long sides into the centre fold and iron - the green lines. You now have three lines marking your strip in quarters.
Then open it up and fold both long sides into the centre fold and iron - the green lines. You now have three lines marking your strip in quarters.
Now stitch down the quarter folds about 1/8in from the edge - the black line top and bottom of the photo.
This line of stitching gives your sleeve strength, allows the baton to lie along a straight line and makes it much easier to slip stitch the sleeve onto the quilt.
This line of stitching gives your sleeve strength, allows the baton to lie along a straight line and makes it much easier to slip stitch the sleeve onto the quilt.
Now put together the two long edges and sew a 1/2in seam. This should be ironed open.
This last seam sits on the back of your quilt. The sleeve should now be 5in at the front and 4in at the back ie puffing up into a "D" shape.
Now you can stitch your sleeve onto your quilt 1/2in below the top of the quilt. Please sew all the way round the sleeve so that the baton goes onto the sleeve, not behind it.
Now you can stitch your sleeve onto your quilt 1/2in below the top of the quilt. Please sew all the way round the sleeve so that the baton goes onto the sleeve, not behind it.
Photographs
Make sure that the photograph of your quilt shows to its best advantage. The photo should be of high quality - the size of the image should be at least between 2Mb and 5Mb. Thumbnail size files (under 500kb cannot be juried). The photo should be taken in good light.
The quilt needs to hung straight, ideally using a baton in the sleeve. Distracting backgrounds make selection difficult - a white wall is ideal. The camera should be focused on the centre of the quilt, both horizontally and vertically. Edges should not be cropped out of the photograph and should be visible on all four sides.
Here are some links that might help:
http://www.hollyknott.com/stq/index.htm
http://www.sarahannsmith.com/weblog/?p=9057
http://tinyurl.com/p8xsbd7
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vpj28da03JQ
If you need some help, please ask.
The quilt needs to hung straight, ideally using a baton in the sleeve. Distracting backgrounds make selection difficult - a white wall is ideal. The camera should be focused on the centre of the quilt, both horizontally and vertically. Edges should not be cropped out of the photograph and should be visible on all four sides.
Here are some links that might help:
http://www.hollyknott.com/stq/index.htm
http://www.sarahannsmith.com/weblog/?p=9057
http://tinyurl.com/p8xsbd7
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vpj28da03JQ
If you need some help, please ask.
Uploading your image
When you are uploading your image or emailing it, the image MUST be in jpg or jpeg format. Your file name should follow the format, firstnamelastname_quilttitle.jpg eg christineseager_dislocation3.jpg
When you are uploading your image or emailing it, the image MUST be in jpg or jpeg format. Your file name should follow the format, firstnamelastname_quilttitle.jpg eg christineseager_dislocation3.jpg
Your parcel
Please make sure your quilt is covered with a waterproof layer, either bubble wrap or plastic, in the event of the quilt being transported in the rain - we live in England and the postmen/delivery men don't care about your quilt.
If your final layer of packing is a little loose, we can reuse it to send your quilt back to you. PLEASE DO NOT USE GAFFA/DUCK tape - it is impossible to open!
Also put your name and address on the back of the parcel.
Consider using couriers like CollectPlus or MyHermes - they are cheaper than Royal Mail and you can track your quilt until it has been signed for. The whole operation can be done from your computer and then all you do is deliver it at your local agent, usually a newsagent. MyHermes will also pick up from your home.
If your final layer of packing is a little loose, we can reuse it to send your quilt back to you. PLEASE DO NOT USE GAFFA/DUCK tape - it is impossible to open!
Also put your name and address on the back of the parcel.
Consider using couriers like CollectPlus or MyHermes - they are cheaper than Royal Mail and you can track your quilt until it has been signed for. The whole operation can be done from your computer and then all you do is deliver it at your local agent, usually a newsagent. MyHermes will also pick up from your home.