Master Quilters Guild

The National Quilting Association, Inc. has established the Master Quilters Guild to award formal recognition to persons who have mastered the skills of quiltmaking. Membership in the guild is obtained by demonstrating ability to produce a Masterpiece Quilt, defined as a work which reflects a consummate level of skill in quiltmaking. Candidates are required to submit their best work for evaluation by a committee of five NQA Certified Master Quilt Judges.

To become a candidate for the Master Quilters Guild, you must submit a quilt for Masterpiece evaluation. You will be notified of the next date and where to ship your quilt. The cost to participate is $50.00 for NQA members and $75.00 for non-NQA members. There is no fee if your quilt has been nominated for this honor by an NQA Certified Judge.

The quilt must measure a minimum of 25 square feet and may be any technique or combination of techniques. Quilt workmanship must be solely that of a single Quiltmaker. This includes, but is not limited to, fabric selection, piecing, appliqué, marking, quilting, embellishing and finishing. Kits of any kind are not acceptable.

The quilt must have been completed in the last five years and the Quiltmaker must be living at the time of nomination. There is no distinction between amateur or professional, since the evaluation is not a competition. Applicants should have the quilt appraised and furnish a copy for the NQA files. Digital photos on a CD (files saved in jpeg or tiff format, 300 dpi or better), or reproduction quality 35 mm slides of the quilt (front view, back view, and a close up to show details) should be submitted with the application. Also, include a front view digital print or 35mm print for identification purposes. Photos may be used for educational purposes and/or publication if a quilt is awarded Masterpiece status.

Quilts will not receive a numerical score, but applicants will receive a detailed report based on the established evluation criteria. Consensus of the five judges is required. A quilt which is not awarded Masterpiece status cannot be resubmitted.

If you feel you have perfected your skills to their highest level and would like to submit a quilt through the application process, please click here to download information which contains specific instructions and a copy of the evaluation criteria, or request the same information packet on the Master Quilter Program by sending your name, address and a large self-addressed stamped envelope to:

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