Winners Announced for 2015 Modern Quilt Guild and Riley Blake Designs Challenge

This year’s winners for the Riley Blake Designs and Modern Quilt Guild Challenge have been announced. Entries were judged by staff members of the Modern Quilt Guild and Riley Blake Designs.“Once again, we were thrilled to work with Riley Blake Designs on this challenge,” says Heather Grant, director of marketing and programming for the MQG. “The fabric this year was very unique, and we were eager to see what MQG members would do with it, They didn’t disappoint, and created quilts that inspire the community. We are very pleased with the results.”

The fabric for this year’s challenge was Sashing Stash, designed by Eleanor Dugan and produced by Riley Blake Designs. Participants were also able to use coordinating Riley Blake solids. The challenge was to create something quilted that the participant had never done before, encouraging MQG members and nonmembers to expand their skills and try something new.

‘’We were so impressed with the entries for the Riley Blake Designs Challenge using the Sashing Stash collection,’’ says Cindy Cloward, President of Riley Blake Designs. ‘’The use of the fabric along with the challenge, to do something the quilters had never done before, created stunning quilts. We are always so proud to be a part of the Modern Quilt Guild’s annual challenge.’’

Winners for this year’s challenge are as follows:

1st Place: “Out Of Line”

By Adrianne Ove - Individual MQG member

From the judges: ‘’We are so impressed with the imaginative design, graphic quality and intricacy of the piecing. It created such a dramatic effect.’’

2nd Place: “Hills and Valleys”

By Cassandra Beaver - Central Ohio MQG member

From the judges: ‘’We were amazed at all the different styles of quilting motifs. Also, the wonderful use of the challenge fabric and the color scheme.’’

3rd Place: “Jumble”

By Betsy Vinegrad - North Jersey MQG member

From the judges: ‘’We loved the use of the challenge fabrics. The black and white color choice is so striking and powerful.’’

Honorable Mention: “Caught in a Cross Stitch”

By Antoinette McNulty Individual MQG member

From the judges: ‘’We really liked the graphic quality of the quilting along with the use of the challenge fabric. We also loved the splashes of pink!’’

Finalists included:

“Accidentally on Purpose” by Diana Vandeyar, Individual MQG member

“Flashes” by Kate Manley, South Sound MQG member

“Roundabout” by Cynthia Steward, Individual MQG member

“Riley Blake Challenge Oh Yes It Was” by Susan Paris, Portland MQG member

“Chasing Triangles” by Rose Daley, Baltimore MQG member

“Mini” by AnnMarie Cowley, Portland MQG member

Congratulations to all the winners, and thank you to everyone who participated!

About The Modern Quilt Guild: In six years, the Modern Quilt Guild has expanded rapidly to include over 10,000 members in over 170 chapters worldwide. The guild’s mission is to encourage the growth and development of modern quilting through art, education, and community.