There is still time to enter the 2026 Great Wisconsin Quilt Show’s 10-category juried and judged Quilt Contest.

Quilters are invited to enter up to four quilts in the contest with cash prizes awarded for best of show, first-, second- and third-place honors in each of the 10 categories and a viewers’ choice award is selected from the entries by Quilt Show attendees.

Quilt Contest entries must be submitted by June 30.

Complete contest details and entry forms are available at quiltshow.com.
Entries are also being accepted for the Kids’ Quilt Challenge, open to youth ages 15 and under, and a themed quilt challenge.

This year’s themed challenge, “Semiquincentennial,” rings in America250. All quilts must be made from fabrics that include a red, white and blue color palette and reflect on a patriotic or Americana theme.

Now in its 22nd year, the annual Great Wisconsin Quilt Show welcomes quilters from across Wisconsin and the United States to the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Sept. 10-12, to celebrate quilting.

The Great Wisconsin Quilt Show features dozens of educational lectures and workshops led by expert quilters; shopping opportunities from trusted vendors, showcasing 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.

Proceeds from The Great Wisconsin Quilt Show support PBS Wisconsin programs and community outreach projects.

Kids’ Quilt Challenge

The Great Wisconsin Quilt Show also invites youth quilters and sewists, ages 15 and under, to enter quilts into the nationally recognized event’s 2026 Kids’ Quilt Challenge.

Presented by PBS Wisconsin and Nancy Zieman Productions, The Great Wisconsin Quilt Show is an educational, community quilting event from which proceeds support PBS Wisconsin.

Entries for the Kids’ Quilt Challenge must be received by Sunday, Aug. 9.
Quilts will be displayed at The Great Wisconsin Quilt Show, and participants are invited to attend a public awards presentation at the event on Saturday, Sept. 12.

The Kids’ Quilt Challenge awards gift cards to the top three quilts — a $200 prize for first place, $100 for second place and $50 for third place. Quilts will be judged on workmanship, creativity and overall appearance.

Whether they ribbon or not, participation in this fun challenge gives young quilters the opportunity to learn patience and problem-solving skills while building their confidence and creativity.

Visit quiltshow.com/quilt-contest for full Kids’ Quilt Challenge details and to submit an entry form.

On the cover:

“Echinacea Quilt,” created by Lorraine Stenoish of Green Bay, Wisconsin, and quilted by Wendy Fuller, Dynamic Stitches by Wendy, first-place winner in the 2025 Quilt Contest, Machine Quilted Appliquéd Wall Quilts category. Design/pattern source: Echinacea Quilt by Anna Maria Parry.