MQSA 2026: Terms and Conditions of Entry 

1. Entries:

1.1   Entries open on Saturday 4th October 2025 and will close at 5pm Sydney time on Monday 10th November 2025.
1.2   Entries are only accepted via the Modern Quilt Show Australia (MQSA) website
www.modernquiltshowaustralia.com   
1.3   Each entrant is permitted to enter a maximum of two individual quilts for consideration by the jury. An entry may comprise a set of quilts (e.g. a pair or triptych designed to be displayed together).
1.4   An entry form must be completed for each quilt entered.
1.5   Collaborative quilts require a separate entry.
1.6   Entrants will be asked to provide one photograph for each quilt entered. Your image file must be in JPEG format and no larger than 4 MB. 
1.7   The photo should show the entire completed quilt top laid out or hung flat. Please ensure the photograph is well lit, focused and of high quality. Quilting/binding does not have to be completed, however please keep in mind the jury can only decide based on the progress shown.
1.8   Successful entrants will be notified by email by 14th December 2025 if their quilt(s) have been accepted.
1.9   Quilts will need to be received at the nominated drop-off point or by post no later than Friday 27th February 2026.

2. Fees:

2.1   There is no entry fee for junior quilters (18 years and under).
2.2   Entry fee is $25 for members of any of the Australian Modern Quilt Guilds affiliated with the MQG and for the individual members of the MQG.
2.3   Entry fee is $50 for all non-members. 
2.4   One entry fee per entrant includes up to two individual quilts.
2.5   Collaborative quilts require a separate entry fee.
2.6   Entry fees will be paid online in AUD via PayPal.
2.7  There are no refunds once the entry fee is paid.

3. Categories:

• Collaborative or group quilts
  • Modern quilts made by three or more people.
• Improvisational
  • Quilt is pieced improvisationally (without the use of a defined pattern or templates).

• Minimalist and/or use of negative space
  • The design of the quilt emphasises extreme simplification of content and form to achieve maximum visual impact and/ or quilt design incorporates a creative or significant use of negative space which is integrated into and/or organises the composition of the quilt.
• Modern Traditional
  • Quilt design incorporates the use of an identifiable traditional block pattern and modernises it by applying design elements such as alternate grid work, asymmetry, colour, scale, etc.
• Small
  • A modern quilt fitting into one of the above categories, where no side of the quilt is greater than one metre.
• Junior
  • Modern quilts made by a quilter 18 years or under on the entry date, including quilts made by a Year 12 student in 2025.
  • NB: If there is enough demand in the Junior category, MQSA reserves the right to create two categories: Up to Year 6 and Year 7-12.

4. Eligibility:

4.1   Entry is open to all quilters resident in Australia at the time of submitting the entry form.
4.2   All of the people who worked on the quilt, paid or not, must be credited (excluding basting assistance).
4.3   Quilts that have been previously shown at MQSA are not eligible for entry.
4.4   Quilts must have been completed since January 2021.
4.5   Entrants in the Junior category must be 18 years or under on the entry date, unless the entry is a quilt made by a Year 12 student in 2025.
4.6   A discounted fee is offered to members of an Australian guild affiliated with the international Modern Quilt Guild (MQG) or individual MQG members. We encourage you to consider joining the Wollongong Modern Quilt Guild or Sydney Modern Quilt Guild (if you’re near to either), sign up with your local modern quilt guild or alternatively take out individual membership of the international MQG. Find a list of affiliated Australian MQGs here.
4.7   You may be asked to provide proof of MQG membership.  You will be contacted by MQSA if this is required. 
4.8   MQSA may decide to award prize(s) to encourage amateur quilters. For this purpose, a professional quilter is someone who satisfies one or more of the following conditions:

5. Quilt requirements:

5.1   Quilts must not measure more than 240cm in height and not more than 240cm in width. (approximately 94″ high and 94″ wide). The entry form must state quilt dimensions IN CENTIMETRES.
5.2   Where an entry is for a set of quilts, e.g. a pair or triptych, the overall measurement must be stated in centimetres and must be within the above dimensions.
5.3   MQSA reserves the right to disqualify and/or not hang any quilt received which is larger than the size indicated on the entry form. Once the quilt is accepted – please check the quilt size and advise us of any change in size. Quilts exceeding the maximum size will not be hung.
5.4   Quilts must meet the following requirements: they must have three layers (backing, batting, and top), be joined together with stitching or tying, and preferably have a finished edge with a binding or facing along the edges of the quilt.
5.5   Quilts must include a sewn-on label including the quilt name, entrant’s name, address and phone number. 
5.6   During judging, all identifying labels need to be covered to ensure anonymity and judges’ impartiality. Therefore the label must be completely covered with a plain opaque piece of fabric stating the quilt name only. The label cover must be stitched on the top and one side to obscure any identifying information (no pins allowed).     All names or signatures, or identifying marks visible anywhere else on the quilt must also be covered.
5.7   Quilts must include a hanging sleeve, sewn securely to the quilt with a finished depth of 8cm. This is necessary to accommodate, without forcing, the diameter of the hanging rod.  

6. Running the quilt show:

6.1   Modern Quilt Show Australia 2026 is organised and presented jointly by volunteer members of Sydney Modern Quilt Guild Incorporated and Wollongong Modern Quilt Guild Incorporated.
6.2   MQSA is a juried quilt show. Jury members are drawn from affiliated members of the Modern Quilt Guild, Australia-wide.
6.3   MQSA reserves the right to divide or combine categories, move entries to more appropriate categories, and not to award all ribbons.
6.4   All postage and packaging costs to deliver quilts to the nominated drop off address and to return quilts to entrants are the responsibility of the entrant. Return pre-paid postage and packaging must be included with quilts when delivered to MQSA.
6.5   Quilts will be hung and judged on Wednesday/Thursday 11th and 12th March 2026, and the show is open to the public from Friday 13th to Sunday 15th March 2026. 
6.6   Quilts will be available for pickup on Sunday after show closing or will be returned via Australia Post the following week.
6.7   Every care will be taken with entries, but no responsibility can be assumed by the organisers.  
6.8   All quilts will be folded as part of the process of handling quilts for the show.  Special handling of entries cannot be accommodated.
6.9   MQSA reserves the right to reject any quilt misrepresented in the photos during the entry process and to reject any quilts that are in poor condition when received and seen in person. Examples include, but are not limited to, torn fabric, stained fabric, excess threads/lint/animal hair, poor craftsmanship or an unfinished quilt.
6.10   MQSA reserves the right to reject any quilt for exhibition on the grounds of strong smell, such as mustiness or cigarette smoke.
6.11   MQSA reserves the right to accept or deny any quilt for exhibition.
6.12   Any quilt that is rejected by MQSA will be returned to the entrant at the entrant’s expense, and will not be displayed in the exhibition, entered into MQSA, judged or be eligible for ribbons or prizes.
6.13   It is the entrant(s) responsibility to obtain all copyright and intellectual property clearances for entering the quilt for prizes and exhibiting it. Sydney Modern Quilt Guild, Wollongong Modern Quilt Guild, MQSA, MQSA sponsors and volunteers are not liable for any breach of copyright or intellectual property rights.
6.14   MQSA reserves the right to reject or disqualify any quilt where design credit is misrepresented.
6.15   If misrepresentation is discovered after the show and the quilt was awarded, the winner forfeits all ribbons and prizes.
6.16   Sydney Modern Quilt Guild Inc, Wollongong Modern Quilt Guild Inc, MQSA, MQSA sponsors and volunteers are not liable for any loss, damage or destruction of quilts or exhibition items, however such loss, damage or destruction may be caused, including any negligent act or omission, fault or cause. 
6.17   Insurance cover, if desired, is the responsibility of the entrant. This includes for delivery to MQSA, while in transit throughout the event and delivery back to the entrant at the end of the competition. Quilts will not be covered under any insurance policy of the organisers. Should the quilt owner require insurance against theft, damage or other misadventure, this is solely the responsibility of the entrant and the entrant should take out such insurances as they require.
6.18   The decisions of the show organisers, jury and judges are final and no correspondence will be entered into.
6.19   MQSA does not discriminate against entrants based on race, sex, age, disability, religion, nationality, sexual orientation, or marital status.

7. Image usage, press and social media

7.1   The MQSA and our sponsors reserve the right to photograph quilts for their records and to use those photographs for publicity (including online and in social media) and for other appropriate purposes.
7.2   Images and reports may also appear in various news, craft and art publications, both online and in print.
7.3   Visitors to the MQSA are permitted and encouraged to photograph the quilts and post them online or in social media, provided the quiltmaker(s) are acknowledged.

Thank you for your interest in entering a quilt in our show.

REMEMBER!

• Entry is via the website form only.
• Entry period:
  • Opens on Saturday 4th October 2025,
  • Closes at 5pm Sydney time on Monday 10th November 2025.
• Contact for enquiries:     info@modernquiltshowaustralia.com

Download a printable version of MQSA 2026 Terms and Conditions of Entry.