MADISON — There is still time to enter the 10-category juried and judged 2021-22 Great Wisconsin Quilt Show Quilt Contest. Quilters are invited to enter up to four quilts in the contest, which awards cash prizes for best of show, first-, second- and third-place honors in each of the 10 categories, and a viewers’ choice award, selected from the entries by Quilt Show attendees. Quilt Contest entries must be submitted by June 30. Learn how to enter the contest at quiltshow.com.
For the first time in three years, The Great Wisconsin Quilt Show will return to the Alliant Energy Center in Madison as an in-person event, welcoming quilters from across Wisconsin and throughout the United States to join together and share their love for quilting. It will be held Sept. 8-10.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event quickly pivoted to an online experience for the 2020 and 2021 shows. The 2021 Quilt Contest was put on hold until this year to allow for more entries to be exhibited in person.
Event organizers will continue to monitor updates from health officials regarding COVID-19 safety guidelines and will share the latest information about their protocols at quiltshow.com.
Entries are also being sought for the Kids’ Quilt Challenge and a themed quilt challenge. This year’s theme — “Celebrating 40 Years of Sewing With Nancy” — honors television’s most beloved sewing instructor, the late Nancy Zieman, who was also a co-founder of The Great Wisconsin Quilt Show. Quilts from these challenges will be exhibited at the event.
To punctuate the buzz of returning in person, one of this year’s special quilt exhibits is “Uncovered: The Ken Burns Collection,” featuring 26 historic quilts from the private collection of the documentary filmmaker. Don’t miss your chance to explore this beautiful exhibit, which celebrates quilting as part of our identity.
The Great Wisconsin Quilt Show also includes dozens of educational lectures and workshops led by expert quilters; shopping opportunities from trusted vendors, featuring the latest fabrics and notions; and a community service project — Quilt to Give — in which attendees donate their materials and skills to create quilts for those in need.
Visit quiltshow.com for complete contest details and entry deadlines.
The Great Wisconsin Quilt Show is presented by PBS Wisconsin and Nancy Zieman Productions. Proceeds from The Great Wisconsin Quilt Show support PBS Wisconsin programs and community outreach projects.
Thank you to our Premier Event Sponsors: Husqvarna Viking Sewing Machines and Pfaff Sewing Machines. Additional thanks to our Associate Event Sponsors: Ana’s Sewing Studio, BERNINA of America, Blue Bar Quilts, Brother International Sewing Corporation, Janome, Juki America, Inc. and Linda Z’s Sewing Center.
PBS Wisconsin is a service of the Educational Communications Board and the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
PBS Wisconsin is a place to grow through learning on WHA-TV, Madison; WPNE-TV, Green Bay; WHRM-TV, Wausau; WLEF-TV, Park Falls; WHLA-TV, La Crosse; and WHWC-TV, Menomonie-Eau Claire.