Aotearoa Quilters  Regional Challenge 2016 

‘SEWEZI Flight’

Aotearoa Quilters invites all New Zealand quilt makers and textile artists to participate in The Best of New Zealand, a Regional Challenge, to be held in conjunction with The Great New Zealand Quilt Show at the Sir Howard Morrison Performing Arts Centre, Rotorua, on 6-8 May 2016

ENTER NOW

If you want to enter this challenge, entries close on 1 March 2016. Quilt entries must be submitted to the Regional Representative in your area.

Contact us here if you have any other queries

The Challenge

• The theme of the challenge is ‘Flight’.
• The quilt size is 75 cm x 75 cm.

Conditions of Entry

• There is one category only.
• Entry is open to all New Zealand quilt makers and textile artists.
• The entry may be a collaboration of work by more than one person but all participants must be named on the entry form.
• Entries can be traditional or contemporary as long as the theme ‘Flight’ is reflected in the design.
• Designs must be original and sources of inspiration must be acknowledged on the entry form.
• Any techniques may be used but the entry must be durable and flexible to withstand travelling and being exhibited for a year until the end of April 2017, if selected.
• All quilts may be photographed for publicity purposes and by the general public.
• All quilts are for sale and must be available to travel for twelve months following the exhibition. (May 2016 to 30 April 2017)

Presentation of Entry

• Complete an entry form for each quilt entered. Please download the entry form  by clicking SewEzi Grande FLIGHT Entry Form 2015 Challenge .
• Print and complete the form.
• Entry fee is $10.
• Each entry must have a hanging sleeve not less than 10 cm wide.
• Each entry must have the hook side of a Velcro strip firmly stitched to the top of the hanging sleeve. Attach the soft side of the Velcro to that for protection. Print your name and quilt name on it.
• A label with the entrant’s name, address, telephone number and email must be attached to the back lower left corner of the quilt.
• The entry must be submitted in a cloth bag labelled with the maker’s name, address, phone number and email.

 Regional Selection

• Closing date is 1st March 2016
• Submit entry to your Regional Representative
• Entry fee of $10 can be paid by cash or cheque to your Regional Rep  or into the Aotearoa Quilters bank account using internet banking (see details on entry form).

 During March, 2016 your Regional Rep will organise an opportunity for the regional entries to be displayed, where voting can take place to select the best three entries.

If your entry is selected to represent your region, you will be required to include a pre-paid, self-addressed courier bag for the return of your quilt when the exhibition has finished. The selected entries will be forwarded by the Region Rep to The Great New Zealand Quilt Show for judging where the Best of New Zealand will be announced.

 First Prize:

SEWEZI Grande table delivered anywhere in NZ.

Merit prizes

Wright Fabrics, Morrinsville $100 plus $50 cash

Cottage Flair, Rotorua. $150 cash

Cottage Flair, Rotorua. $150 cash

 Travelling Exhibition

Twenty ‘Flight’ quilts will be selected to travel throughout New Zealand for one year from May 2016 to 30 April 2017. The exhibition will be available to galleries, shows and exhibitions.

As all travelling quilts will be for sale, please ensure that a price is inserted on the entry form.

Further Information

The travelling exhibition has always been a great success, showcasing quilts made by Aotearoa Quilters’ members, based on a theme and a set size. The exhibition travels to galleries and shows around the country for a year following its opening. All the quilts are for sale.

In 2016, a slightly different format will be used, with entries coming from regions and the challenge open to all quilters. The exhibition will be part of The Great New Zealand Quilt Show at the Sir Howard Morrison Performing Arts Centre in Rotorua on 6-8 May 2016.

Representatives have been appointed in each region. They will provide a collection point and organize the selection of the best three entries from the region. These best entries will be forwarded to Valda Sutton, the convener of The Great New Zealand Quilt Show, for judging by two independent judges who will select the best 20 entries, including a winner and two merits.

The exhibition will then travel around the country until the end of April 2017. If you would like the Best of New Zealand SEWEZI Flight Challenge Exhibition to visit a show or gallery near you, contact Paula Cole (paula.cole@xtra.co.nz) to book a date. Contact us here if you have any other queries.