In Gaelic, this means 100,000 welcomes, and visitors to our Town Hall in our Quilter’s Village will be welcomed by these quilted hands. This exhibit will become an annual exhibit that will welcome quilters from all over the world. It will increase in size every year and will be your opportunity to welcome quilters to Ireland during the festival. The original concept and idea for this exhibit was that 1000 quilters in Ireland would participate; however, we have been inundated with letters and emails from hundreds of quilters from all over the world asking if they could participate, so this concept and exhibit will now include everyone. It will be the “official” welcome exhibit from international quilters around the world, as they reach out their hands to welcome all who come to the festival in Ireland.

Guidelines:

All entries must be made of fabric and have been sewn by hand or machine. All entries must have the artists name, where you are from and a short welcome message and the date you created the block written or sewn onto the front of the block. Entries are also encouraged to be embellished with as much appliqué work as you like. All entries that are submitted become property of the IQFOI and will not be returned. Highlighted entries will be shown in our festival program, online and in print.

The blocks for this exhibit must be 10 inches square, without sleeve. These blocks can be made of any combination of green and white fabric with your hand traced in one color or the other on a contrasting green or white background. Blocks should be quilted with just a calico wadding and without backing or binding if possible.

Submission:
For any questions, regarding rules or submission, please contact Suz at suz@iqfoi.com. Every entry will be included in this exhibit, and all entries must be received at one of our IQFOI offices by April 1, 2012.

In the United States:
Sew Many Places
117 West St. Paul Street
Spring Valley, IL 61362

In Europe:
IQFOI
7 St. Francis Street
Galway City

County Galway
Ireland

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to walk in a real quilted garden? Well now is your chance to help bring this fantasy to life! Sponsored by eQuilter.com this is a “first” for an international quilt festival, to create an actual garden, professionally landscaped, using quilted flowers, plants, rocks, trees, bushes, etc. made entirely out of fabric. We will feature in our garden exhibit a special children's garden patch, where we are encouraging children up to the age of 18 years old to participate.

As people enter this exhibit, they begin a walk down a garden path where they will be transported to a quilted garden while listening to birds chirping, see butterflies fluttering about and even have an opportunity to sit on a bench near a stream of running water. Without doubt, this exhibit will transport people to a most unique setting, with a viewer's choice award for the best of show. Use your imagination to create flora and fauna, and let your creativity run free.

This exhibit will be featured in one of the oldest buildings in our Quilter’s Village. At the end of the festival, we have decided to donate most of the quilted entries to a children’s hospital or senior living facility in Ireland. Highlights will be shown in our festival program, both in the paper copy and in the online festival program.

Guidelines:
All entries must be made of fabric and have been sewn by hand or machine. All entries must have the artists name and have a short Artist Statement pinned to the design. All entries that are submitted become property of the IQFOI and will not be returned.

All flowers, except the stems, must consist of 3 layers; submissions may also include anything you might find in a garden from grass, weeds to rocks all made from fabric. We also encourage you to not only create some pieces yourself, but create some with a small group of friends, guild members or with your children and grandchildren!

Submission:

For any questions, regarding rules or submission, please contact Suz at Suz@IQFOI.com. Every entry will be included in this exhibit, and all entries must be received at one of our IQFOI offices by April 1, 2012.

In the United States:
Sew Many Places
117 West St. Paul Street
Spring Valley, IL 61362

In Europe:
IQFOI
7 St. Francis Street
Galway City

County Galway
Ireland

Prize:

Sponsored by:

An international round robin for a good cause! Five quilters from seven different countries around the world are participating in this exhibit, created by Irish designer and author, Nikki Foley. These 35 quilts will be brought together at the festival, and will highlight the unique talents of quilters from Australia, Ireland, the United States, Kenya, Japan, the Netherlands, and Russia. When the festival is over, this exhibit will be on display in a quilt museum in each of the seven countries before they are given back to each quilter's who created them, so they can keep their promise of donating their quilt to a charity of their choice. This Aurifil Threads sponsored exhibit will be one of the highlights of the festival and sure to create a lot of interest.

For more info, contact jim@iqfoi.com

Sponsored by:

"A Road Ahead" by Rebecca Douglas

"Pacific Highway" by Patty B. Young

For many of us, we know this Robert Frost poem as one of the great poems of all times. Sponsored by Sew Many Places, we are asking those of you with an adventurous spirit, those who find joy in the journey, or those who have chosen a road less traveled in your own life and it has made all the difference, to create a quilted piece that best exemplifies the spirit of this poem.

Guidelines:
All entries must be made of fabric and have been sewn by hand or machine. The perimeter of the quilts entered into this exhibit must be 144 inches. All entries must have the artists name permanently attached. Each quilt must have an Artist Statement of 50 words or less attached to the quilt, along with two color photographs for identification and for insurance purposes. All quilts must have a 4 inch sleeve and come in its own cloth casing; your contact information must be on the casing. There is a €25 entry fee to cover processing and return shipment. For payments, questions and submissions please contact Suz at Suz@IQFOI.com.

Submission:
To submit your quilt for consideration for this exhibit, you must submit a photo of your quilt/s to our exhibit team by email, Suz@IQFOI.com, no later than March 15, 2012. You will be notified if you have been chosen for inclusion and you will need to have your quilt sent to one of our offices below so that it is received no later than April 1, 2012.

In the United States:
Sew Many Places
117 West St. Paul Street
Spring Valley, IL 61362

In Europe:
IQFOI
7 St. Francis Street
Galway City

County Galway
Ireland

Prize:
Best Entry: $1000 USD (approx. €750.00)

Sponsored by:

The sweetest exhibit that will be presented at the International Quilt Festival of Ireland in 2012 will be the Chocolate Decadence Exhibit! Because quilter’s have a strong affection for chocolate, we are not only featuring a chocolate exhibit, but our Quilter’s Village will feature the delectable Fat Quarters Chocolate Shop!

We invite all of you to design quilts or quilted items that are based around the theme of “chocolate.” Whether it is a quilt you hang on the wall or a quilted chocolate kiss, become the Willy Wonka of the quilt world and let your imagination run wild!

Guidelines:
All entries must be made of fabric and have been sewn by hand or machine. Any size and style is accepted as long as your entry follows the “chocolate” theme. All entries must have the artists name permanently attached. To submit your quilt for consideration for this exhibit, you must submit a photo of your quilt/s to our exhibit team by email, Suz@IQFOI.com, no later than March 15, 2012. You will be notified if you have been chosen for inclusion and you will need to have your quilt sent to one of our offices below so that it is received no later than April 1, 2012.

In the United States:
Sew Many Places
117 West St. Paul Street
Spring Valley, IL 61362

In Europe:
IQFOI
7 St. Francis Street
Galway City

County Galway
Ireland

Prize:

As neighbours to Ireland, quilter's in England, Scotland and Wales have an exclusive opportunity to enter quilts in this very special exhibit.

Guidelines:
All entries must be made of fabric and have been sewn by hand or machine. Any size submission is welcomed. All entries must have the artists name permanently attached. Each quilt must have an Artist Statement of 50 words or less attached to the quilt, along with two color photographs for identification and for insurance purposes. All quilts must have a 4 inch sleeve and come in its own cloth casing; your contact information must be on the casing. There is a €25 entry fee to cover processing and return shipment. For payments, questions and submissions please contact Suz at Suz@IQFOI.com.

Submission:
To submit your quilt for consideration for this exhibit, you must submit a photo of your quilt/s to our exhibit team by email, Suz@IQFOI.com, no later than March 15, 2012. You will be notified if you have been chosen for inclusion and you will need to have your quilt sent to our office below so that it is received no later than April 1, 2012.

In Europe:
IQFOI
7 St. Francis Street
Galway City

County Galway
Ireland

Prize:
Best Entry: €750.00 (approx. $1000 USD)

In an industry that is often divided into traditional quilters and art quilters, this exhibit brings the two together. Here we will showcase the talents of quilters who think on both the right side and left side of their brain, where traditional quilting and art quilting meet in the middle! The theme can be anything providing it applies to the two quilts you design. One will be a traditional quilt and one will be an art quilt, both displaying the same theme. This is exhibit will show off some extraordinary quilting talent as we see both the yin and the yang in action!

Guidelines:
All entries must be made of fabric and have been sewn by hand or machine. The perimeter of each of these quilts must be 144 inches. All entries must have the artists name permanently attached. Each quilt must have an Artist Statement of 50 words or less attached to the quilt, along with two color photographs for identification and for insurance purposes. All quilts must have a 4 inch sleeve and come in its own cloth casing; your contact information must be on the casing. There is a €30 entry fee to cover processing and return shipment. For payments, questions and submissions please contact Suz at Suz@IQFOI.com.

Submission:
To submit your quilt for consideration for this exhibit, you must submit a photo of your quilt/s to our exhibit team by email, Suz@IQFOI.com, no later than March 15, 2012. You will be notified if you have been chosen for inclusion and you will need to have your quilt sent to one of our offices below so that it is received no later than April 1st, 2012.

In the United States:
Sew Many Places
117 West St. Paul Street
Spring Valley, IL 61362

In Europe:
IQFOI
7 St. Francis Street
Galway City

County Galway
Ireland

Prize:
Best Entry: $2500 USD (approx. €1750.00)

All the sentiment of the Christmas season will be capture in this special holiday exhibit. As visitors first walk in, they will be greeted by jolly old St. Nicholas himself as they are teleported into an outdoor winter wonderland. The scene will be just like out of Currier and Ives; snow on the ground, complete with a snowman, a beautifully lit and decorated Christmas tree, a very traditional hometown Christmas scene.

As visitors move forward in this exhibit, they will find themselves inside a cozy home decorated top and bottom with Christmas cheer. Visitors will be greeted by warm fireplace as the sound of Christmas carols fill their ears and the lights of the tree glow, they will be taken back by all the quilted decorations.

In addition to the quilts that will be entered into this exhibit, we are looking for quilters to add to this heart warming scene. From quilted stockings to hang on the fireplace to quilts to decorate the furniture, quilted Christmas pictures that can be framed, a quilted snowman for the yard exhibit, quilted animals or any other quilted holiday decoration that you can imagine!

Guidelines:

All entries must be made of fabric and have been sewn by hand or machine. The perimeter of the quilts entered into this exhibit must be 144 inches. All entries must have the artists name permanently attached. Each quilt must have an Artist Statement of 50 words or less attached to the quilt, along with two color photographs for identification and for insurance purposes. All quilts must have a 4 inch sleeve and come in its own cloth casing; your contact information must be on the casing. There is a €25 entry fee to cover processing and return shipment. For payments, questions and submissions please contact Suz at Suz@IQFOI.com.

Quilted Ornament Exchange

We are also featuring an international Christmas ornament exchange, visitors can make a quilted ornament, hang it on a tree and they can take a quilted ornament in exchange.

We ask quilters to mail in their ornaments prior to the Festival, so there will be some waiting on trees when people arrive. Otherwise, you may bring your ornament with you to the Festival.

Submission:
To submit your quilt for consideration for this exhibit, you must submit your quilt to one of our offices below so that it is received no later than April 1, 2012.

In the United States:
Sew Many Places
117 West St. Paul Street
Spring Valley, IL 61362

In Europe:
IQFOI
7 St. Francis Street
Galway City

County Galway
Ireland

Prize:
Best Entry: $500 USD (approx. €350.00)

This exhibit sponsored by McCall’s Quilting Magazine will feature traditional quilts, but miniaturized. These miniature sized quilts can be designed from any traditional pattern style from the Irish Chain and Log Cabin to the Wedding Ring and Mariner’s Compass or any other traditional pattern of your choice.

Guidelines:
All entries must be made of fabric and have been sewn by hand or machine. The maximum perimeter of these quilts must not be larger than 72 inches. All entries must have the artists name permanently attached. Each quilt must have an Artist Statement of 50 words or less attached to the quilt, along with two color photographs for identification and for insurance purposes. All quilts must have a 4 inch sleeve and come in its own cloth casing; your contact information must be on the casing. There is a €25 entry fee to cover processing and return shipment. For payments, questions and submissions please contact Suz at Suz@IQFOI.com.

Submission:
To submit your quilt for consideration for this exhibit, you must submit a photo of your quilt/s to our exhibit team by email, Suz@IQFOI.com, no later than March 15, 2012. You will be notified if you have been chosen for inclusion and you will need to have your quilt sent to one of our offices below so that it is received no later than April 1, 2012.

In the United States:
Sew Many Places
117 West St. Paul Street
Spring Valley, IL 61362

In Europe:
IQFOI
7 St. Francis Street
Galway City

County Galway
Ireland

Prize:
Best Entry: $1000 USD (approx. €750.00)

Sponsored by:

Hollywood has take the idea of 3-D to an entirely new level these days, enhancing their latest blockbuster movies in 3-D format, and we have taken that same concept and brought it into the world of quilting with this very unique and trendy exhibit. Our 3-D Movie Quilts exhibit, sponsored by Hoffman Fabrics, take 3-D quilt-making to an entirely different level, and it is the first time anything like this has ever been showcased in the industry. Whether you use the newly launched Hoffman Fabric 3-D fabric to make your quilt, or design your quilt in such a way that you have created the 3-D effect, this is sure to be a very special exhibit for all who see it.

As all visitors to this exhibit will be given a pair of 3-D glasses to wear as they look at this exhibit, it is recommended when making your quilt, to have a pair of 3-D glasses available. This will allow you to see the affect your pattern and layout has to your quilt before stitching it altogether.

Guidelines:

All entries must be made of fabric and have been sewn by hand or machine. The perimeter of these quilts must be 144 inches. All entries must have the artists name permanently attached. Each quilt must have an Artist Statement of 50 words or less attached to the quilt, along with two color photographs for identification and for insurance purposes. All quilts must have a 4 inch sleeve and come in its own cloth casing; your contact information must be on the casing. There is a €25 entry fee to cover processing and return shipment. For payments, questions and submissions please contact Suz at Suz@IQFOI.com.

Submission:

To submit your quilt for consideration for this exhibit, you must submit a photo of your quilt to our exhibit team by email, Suz@IQFOI.com no later than March 15, 2012. You will be notified if you have been chosen for inclusion and you will need to have your quilt sent to one of our offices below so that it is received no later than April 1, 2012.

In the United States:
Sew Many Places
117 West St. Paul Street
Spring Valley, IL 61362

In Europe:
IQFOI
7 St. Francis Street
Galway City

County Galway
Ireland

Prize:
Best Entry: $1000 USD (approx. €750.00)

For more info, contact jim@iqfoi.com

Sponsored by:

Ireland is known for its many crafts, from knitting and lace-making to painting, pottery and crystal. Our Irish Crafts Quilts Exhibit will feature 25 uniquely handmade quilts, incorporating Irish crafts into all the quilts that are featured. As an artist, maybe you are interested in adding some lace to your quilt or knit an appliqué piece to enhance the design. Whatever craft embellishment you decide to add, let the artistic and crafty person in you make this a special piece of design.

Guidelines:
All entries must be made of fabric and have been sewn by hand or machine. The perimeter of the quilts entered into this exhibit must be 144 inches. All entries must have the artists name permanently attached. Each quilt must have an Artist Statement of 50 words or less attached to the quilt, along with two color photographs for identification and for insurance purposes. All quilts must have a 4 inch sleeve and come in its own cloth casing; your contact information must be on the casing. There is a €25 entry fee to cover processing and return shipment. For payments, questions and submissions please contact Suz at Suz@IQFOI.com.

Submission:
To submit your quilt for consideration for this exhibit, you must submit a photo of your quilt/s to our exhibit team by email, Suz@IQFOI.com, no later than March 15, 2012. You will be notified if you have been chosen for inclusion and you will need to have your quilt sent to one of our offices below so that it is received no later than April 1, 2012.

In the United States:
Sew Many Places
117 West St. Paul Street
Spring Valley, IL 61362

In Europe:
IQFOI
7 St. Francis Street
Galway City

County Galway
Ireland

Prize:
Best Entry: $500 USD (approx. €350.00)