Our 2011 theme was Alliances: People, Patterns, Passion, a broad theme that celebrates cooperative relationships that work towards a common goal. Entrants were offered these starter ideas for inspiration:

• Ode to an Ally - Dedicate your quilt to a friend, teacher, family member, political, environmental, faith-based group.

• Visual Alliances - Explore the look of new color or form alliances or celebrate tried and true ones with a quilt that shows how visual elements work together towards a common goal--exciting the viewer!

• Blocks That Bond - Use traditional blocks that represent alliances--wedding ring, friendship, signature, even crazy quilts.

• Common Good - Invite a friend or group of friends to collaborate on a quilt with you.

• Celebrate and collaborate.

• Eco-Alliances - Put a spotlight on a natural alliance. What relationships in nature/the environment are you passionate about?

• Satirical/Fantasy Alliances - Open your imagination and let the fantasies pour out. Cats and dogs? Hobbits, elves and fairies? And the winners were:

 

Soul Sisters
Jamie Fingal
Orange, California
2011
Grand Prize

 

We Are the Quilters
Cynthia St. Charles
Billings, Montana
2011
First Place

 

Mind the Gap!
Annedore Neumann
Mg-Wickrath, Germany
2011
Second Place

 

Virginia is for Lovers
Sandra Starley
Moab, Utah
2011
Third Place