The Quilters Hall of Fame

05/30/2026

WE ARE EXTENDING OUR DEADLINE!!!!

To celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, The Quilters Hall of Fame is calling for mini quilts that reflect the statement, “What Freedom Means to Me.” Entries will be juried and those chosen will be showcased in an exhibit at Celebration 2026, in Marion, Indiana July 23 – 25, 2026. Participating quilts will be eligible to win a cash award judged by a certified judge. Cash awards will be awarded during our Celebration 2026 event July 23 – 25, 2026. Awards for artists that are unable to attend will be mailed after that date.

Rules:

Entries must fit the definition of an art quilt as defined by SAQA: “a creative visual work that is layered and stitched or that references this form of stitched layered structure.” Any embellishments must not be fragile, must be securely attached, and must be unable to pe*****te mailing envelopes or boxes or to damage other quilts when stacked. No glitter. Size of quilt must be 18” x 18”. Entry fee: Up to two quilts may be submitted for $45.

DEADLINE FOR ONLINE ENTRY IS NOW JUNE 8TH!

Required for each entry: please upload a pdf file containing: the title, artist’s name, contact information, an insurance value, an artist’s statement (up to 1,000 characters) Your artist’s statement could include techniques, materials and/or inspiration. Your work will be insured for value of materials unless you have professional appraisal. The information for two entries may be included in one pdf file.
Also required for each entry please upload photo(s) of your entry. Make sure photos are high quality and represent your work well. By submitting an entry, you give permission for TQHF to publish your photos for promotions. Up to five files may be submitted.
If chosen for the exhibit, your quilt must have a 4” hanging sleeve and a label bearing the title, maker’s name, and contact information. TQHF will pay the return shipping fee. In person drop-offs and pick-ups will be accepted during museum hours, Tuesday – Saturday, 10am – 4pm at 926 S Washington Street, Marion, IN.

Cash awards total $500.

05/30/2026

WE ARE EXTENDING OUR DEADLINE!!!!

To celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, The Quilters Hall of Fame is calling for mini quilts that reflect the statement, “What Freedom Means to Me.” Entries will be juried and those chosen will be showcased in an exhibit at Celebration 2026, in Marion, Indiana July 23 – 25, 2026. Participating quilts will be eligible to win a cash award judged by a certified judge. Cash awards will be awarded during our Celebration 2026 event July 23 – 25, 2026. Awards for artists that are unable to attend will be mailed after that date.

Rules:

Entries must fit the definition of an art quilt as defined by SAQA: “a creative visual work that is layered and stitched or that references this form of stitched layered structure.” Any embellishments must not be fragile, must be securely attached, and must be unable to pe*****te mailing envelopes or boxes or to damage other quilts when stacked. No glitter. Size of quilt must be 18” x 18”. Entry fee: Up to two quilts may be submitted for $45.

DEADLINE FOR ONLINE ENTRY IS NOW JUNE 8TH!

Required for each entry: please upload a pdf file containing: the title, artist’s name, contact information, an insurance value, an artist’s statement (up to 1,000 characters) Your artist’s statement could include techniques, materials and/or inspiration. Your work will be insured for value of materials unless you have professional appraisal. The information for two entries may be included in one pdf file.
Also required for each entry please upload photo(s) of your entry. Make sure photos are high quality and represent your work well. By submitting an entry, you give permission for TQHF to publish your photos for promotions. Up to five files may be submitted.
If chosen for the exhibit, your quilt must have a 4” hanging sleeve and a label bearing the title, maker’s name, and contact information. TQHF will pay the return shipping fee. In person drop-offs and pick-ups will be accepted during museum hours, Tuesday – Saturday, 10am – 4pm at 926 S Washington Street, Marion, IN.

Cash awards total $500.

05/27/2026

THANK YOU SPONSORS!

We had a WONDERFUL weekend this past Friday and Saturday with Ricky Tims. We had an amazing turnout at both the “Life is A Basket Of Scraps” concert with 54 attendees, and The Ricky Tims Masterclasses on Friday with 41 participants. We’d like to take a moment to show our gratitude to the sponsors of this event: Thank you Nancy J’s Fabrics, Indiana State Quilt Guild, and Yoder Department Store. Your support made this amazing weekend happen. 🪡💙🧵

05/18/2026

CALLING ALL QUILTERS!!!

To celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, The Quilters Hall of Fame is calling for mini quilts that reflect the statement, “What Freedom Means to Me.” Entries will be juried and those chosen will be showcased in an exhibit at Celebration 2026, in Marion, Indiana July 23 – 25, 2026. Participating quilts will be eligible to win a cash award judged by a certified judge. Cash awards will be awarded during our Celebration 2026 event July 23 – 25, 2026. Awards for artists that are unable to attend will be mailed after that date.

Rules:

Entries must fit the definition of an art quilt as defined by SAQA: “a creative visual work that is layered and stitched or that references this form of stitched layered structure.” Any embellishments must not be fragile, must be securely attached, and must be unable to pe*****te mailing envelopes or boxes or to damage other quilts when stacked. No glitter.
Size of quilt must be 18” x 18”.

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS IS MAY 29TH

Entry fee: Up to two quilts may be submitted for $45.
Required for each entry please upload a pdf file containing: the title, artist’s name, contact information, an insurance value, an artist’s statement (up to 1,000 characters) Your artist’s statement could include techniques, materials and/or inspiration. Your work will be insured for value of materials unless you have professional appraisal. The information for two entries may be included in one pdf file.

Also required for each entry please upload photo(s) of your entry. Make sure photos are high quality and represent your work well. By submitting an entry, you give permission for TQHF to publish your photos for promotions. Up to five files may be submitted. If you would like to submit more than five files email us at [email protected].

If chosen for the exhibit, your quilt must have a 4” hanging sleeve and a label bearing the title, maker’s name, and contact information. TQHF will pay the return shipping fee. In person drop-offs and pick-ups will be accepted during museum hours, Tuesday – Saturday, 10am – 4pm at 926 S Washington Street, Marion, IN.

Cash awards total $500.

05/13/2026

04/16/2026

Come join us Saturday, May 16th at the Marion Public Library for a Day of quilting education! The Quilter’s Hall of Fame, Yoder's Department Store and Indiana State Quilter’s Guild are proud to present a masterclass series for ONE DAY ONLY, with quilting legend Ricky Tims. With three sessions, this event is for everyone from experienced quilters to beginners! No sewing machine or fabric needed, just bring your creativity!

Doors open at 9:30 AM, tickets are on sale now: https://quiltershalloffame.net/product/ricky-tims-concert-master-classes/

Sign me up for email updates! Currently at The Quilters Hall of Fame: Coming soon: Ricky Tims: Concert and Master Classes An unforgettable weekend in Marion, Indiana On May 15, 2026 Ricky will share his “Life is a Basket of Scraps” Concert. Get ready for an evening like no other- where music mee...

04/15/2026

The Quilters’ Hall of fame, in Conjunction with the Indiana State Quilt Guild and Marion Public Library, are proud to present a series of Masterclasses with quilting expert, Ricky Tims! Join us on SATURDAY, MAY 16th, at the Marion Public Library (600 S Washington Street, Marion, IN Meeting Room B) for three sessions.

Session one will include two classes, “Quilting Caveman Style“ and “Harmonic Convergence.” These classes will cover the basics of how to get away with breaking the rules of quilting, and teach you a few nearly-addicting techniques to bring to your next project!

Session two will include, “Locomotion“ and “Gridified Art Quilts,“ which will strive to have you breaking free from straight blocks, and branching into sewing without pins, as well as learning to take patchwork blocks and use them to build works of art!

Finally, session three, “A Quilt is Born” will cover the creation process of his latest stunning quilt, “The Visitation,“ which was the winner of the 2025 International Quilt Festival Best of Show.

Doors will open at 9:30 AM, and you can register for this amazing event here: https://quiltershalloffame.net/product/ricky-tims-concert-master-classes/

12/04/2025

Remembering Virginia Lee Gunn (1939-2024)

"Women entered their quilts in annual fairs, where they were admired and studied by literally thousands of fair goers. It is unlikely that talented nineteenth-century quiltmakers were anonymous to their contemporaries." -Virginia L Gunn, Uncoverings, 1988, pg 122

The quilting world lost a passionate researcher and generous mentor with the passing of Virginia Lee Gunn on November 26, 2025. Throughout her career, Virginia was determined to unravel the identities of early craftspeople and the techniques they employed, ensuring that the women who created historic textiles would no longer remain in the shadows.

Born on July 20, 1939, in Little Rock, Arkansas, Virginia earned her Bachelor of Science degree at Kansas State University, a Master's degree in applied arts from Syracuse University, and a Ph.D. in history from the University of Akron. She spent her career presenting and publishing research nationwide on American costumes and textiles, quilts and coverlets, and women's history.

Virginia's influence extended far beyond her own scholarship. Through her long association with the American Quilt Study Group (AQSG), she demonstrated a gifted ability to inspire and empower aspiring quilt researchers. She served on the AQSG National Board of Directors for a decade (1984-94), including four years as president (1990-94), edited Uncoverings from 1994 to 2003, and served on the scholarship review committee from 2004 to 2013. She presented eleven research papers of her own at AQSG seminars and countless more at other academic venues.

As a faculty member at the University of Akron, Virginia encouraged younger generations to explore quilt and textile history. In 1997, a former student created the Dr. Virginia L. Gunn Scholarship in Family and Consumer Sciences to honor the mentoring and encouragement she provided to so many.

We were delighted to induct Virginia into The Quilters Hall of Fame in 2017. During Celebration, she shared an exhibit of her favorite quilts from her personal collection that beautifully demonstrated her wide-ranging expertise and love of quilts from every era. The oldest was a pieced quilt from the Federal Era (ca. 1790-1820). Two Civil War quilts were on display alongside Crazy quilts from the late 1800s to early 1900s. A Marie Webster Pink Dogwood in Baskets variation from the late 1920s or early 1930s represented the pattern designer's influence. Quilts from the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s showcased the cotton prints of their respective eras. And the exhibit concluded with a Double-Sided Polyester Spectacular from the 1970s—a fitting reminder that Virginia understood every quilt, regardless of era or material, has a story worth telling.

As we mourn Virginia's passing, we celebrate the enduring legacy she left on the world of quilt research. Virginia believed that talented quiltmakers should not remain anonymous. You can honor her memory by researching a quilt or quiltmaker whose story deserves to be told—and by making sure your own quilts don't become mysteries to future generations. Label your work with your name, the date, and the story behind it. You're part of quilt history too.

Quilt shown: Post WWII Printed Cotton Pieced Quilt from Virginia Gunn's collection