2026 AQS Call for Quilts: Stars, Stripes & Stitches

Celebrate the Stars and Stripes with Stitches!

Calling all quilters! The American Quilter’s Society invites you to celebrate a historic milestone—America’s 250th anniversary—with your quilting talent. Quilters of all skill levels are invited to submit their patriotic creations for our upcoming Stars, Stripes, & Stitches Quilt Exhibit, a tribute to the American spirit, traveling to all 2026 AQS QuiltWeek shows.

2026 marks 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence—a moment to honor the past, celebrate our nation’s journey, and inspire future generations. Through the art of quilting, we’re bringing together quilters of all styles and skill levels to create quilts that reflect the colors, pride, and heritage of the United States.

The Theme:
Stars, Stripes & Stitches

Design a quilt that embodies the American spirit. Use red and blue as your primary colors and incorporate stars, stripes, or both into your design. Whether your style is traditional, modern, or somewhere in between, let your imagination soar!

Join us in honoring our nation's heritage through the art of quilting!

Be part of this extraordinary showcase honoring 250 years of independence, creativity, and unity. Your quilt could be proudly displayed at AQS QuiltWeek, sharing the story of our nation through the artistry of quilting.

Submission Guidelines:

• Quilt Size: Should measure 40” to 96” wide and 40” to 96” long
• Techniques: All techniques are welcome, including traditional piecing, appliqué, and modern quilting. Quilts can be hand or machine pieced and/or quilted.
• Originality: We encourage unique and creative interpretations of the American spirit theme.
• Submission Period: July 4, 2025 - August 30, 2025
• Submission Method:
  – Anyone can enter a quilt by submitting an online entry form, with two digital images (one full view and one detail). Entries open online July 4, 2025.
• Rules:
  – Patriotic Theme: The quilt must celebrate and honor the American spirit with a clear patriotic focus.
  – Star or Stripes: The quilt must include at least one star and/or set of stripes. Stars can be five-pointed, six-pointed, or eight-pointed.
  – Red and Blue: The quilt must primarily feature red and blue fabrics, though other colors may be incorporated.
  – The quilt should be 40” to 96” in width and 40” to 96” in length (portrait orientation or landscape orientation). All quilts must fit the size requirements.
  – Limit one entry per person or team.
  – Quilts must have been completed between January 1, 2020, and the August 30, 2025 entry deadline.
  – There must be a 2” sleeve for hanging the quilt, along with an identification label with the quiltmaker’s name, year, address, and the title of the quilt sewn to the lower left corner of the back. Click here to learn how to add a hanging sleeve.
  – All quilters involved in the making of the quilt must be listed on the entry form.
  – All quilts must be quilted by hand, machine, or both. Quilting is defined as a running stitch that passes through a top, middle layer, and backing fabric. The quilt must consist of three (3) layers: quilt top, batting, and backing. Tied quilts are not eligible.
  – Quilts must be in excellent condition. Incomplete, torn, or soiled quilts do not qualify for entry or display.
  – Quilts must be a single unit and may not be framed with wood, metal, etc. No rods may be sewn into a quilt.
  – Quilts must be titled and the title must be 35 characters or less, including spaces.
• Notification of Acceptance: Entrants are notified of the jurors’ decision by email no later than October 22, 2025.
• Quilt Availability:
  – Juried quilts will be displayed at: All 2026 AQS QuiltWeek Shows
  – All juried quilt entries must arrive at American Quilter’s Society by November 20, 2025, and be available for display through October 2026.
• Quilt Photography:
  Quilts are photographed for use in publications, publicity, and for education purposes.
• Permissions:
  – It is the quiltmaker’s responsibility to obtain all necessary written copyright releases for work that is covered under copyright laws of the United States. This includes using someone else’s pattern, artwork, photography, or another quilt as your inspiration, even if the design has been altered. Fabric panels are not considered Totally Original and the fabric designer must be named. AQS has provided a Design Permission Template for your convenience. It can be found on the Contest page at americanquilter.com/contests.
• Appraisals:
  Quilts valued over $1,000 require an appraisal submission. When uploading design permissions and appraisal files, make sure they are no larger than 10MB and multiple pages are scanned as one document.
• Shipping Costs
  All accepted quilts must be mailed to our home office in Paducah, KY at the expense of the entrant.
  All displayed quilts will be returned to the Quiltmaker at AQS’s expense. AQS will confirm return shipping information in September 2026.

FAQ for the Call for Quilts: Stars, Stripes & Stitches

Who can enter the Call for Quilts? Anyone is welcome to submit a quilt, regardless of skill level. Entries can be submitted by individuals or teams, but there is a limit of one entry per person or team.

What is the theme? The theme is "Stars, Stripes & Stitches," celebrating the American spirit. Quilts must incorporate at least one star and/or set of stripes and primarily feature red and blue fabrics. Additional colors may be included, but red and blue should dominate.

What are the size requirements for quilts? Quilts must measure between 40” and 96” in width and 40” and 96” in length. Both portrait and landscape orientations are acceptable as long as they meet these dimensions.

What quilting techniques are allowed? All techniques are welcome, including traditional piecing, appliqué, modern quilting, and more. Quilts may be hand or machine pieced and/or quilted.

What are the construction requirements?

• Quilts must consist of three layers: a quilt top, batting, and backing.
• Quilts must be quilted by hand, machine, or a combination of both.
• Tied quilts are not eligible.
• The quilt must be a single unit and cannot be framed with wood, metal, or other materials. Rods cannot be sewn into the quilt. Click here to learn how to add a hanging sleeve.

What are the specific deadlines to keep in mind?

• Submissions Open: July 4, 2025
• Submission Deadline: August 30, 2025
• Notification of Acceptance: By October 22, 2025
• Quilt Arrival Deadline: November 20, 2025

How do I submit my quilt for consideration? Submit an online entry form with the following:

• Two digital images: one full view and one detail image of your quilt.
• Ensure the quilt has an attached 2” hanging sleeve and an identification label with the quiltmaker’s name, year, address, and the quilt title (35 characters or less, including spaces).

What are the appraisal requirements? If your quilt is valued over $1,000, you must include an appraisal submission. Appraisal files should not exceed 10MB and multiple pages should be scanned as a single document.

What are the costs associated with submitting my quilt?

• If selected, you are responsible for shipping your quilt to the AQS office in Paducah, KY.
• AQS will cover the cost of returning your quilt after the exhibit. Return shipping information will be confirmed in September 2026.

How long will my quilt be part of the exhibit? Quilts accepted into the exhibit must be available for display from November 20, 2025, through October 2026.

How do I contact AQS for additional questions? For further inquiries, visit americanquilter.com/contact-us or reach out to the AQS team directly at 1-270-898-7903.