The Rainbow Fabric Challenge

Overview

Rainbows have many meanings around the world and across many cultures, from LGBTQIA+ Pride to Equality to New Beginnings. Our goal with the Rainbow Fabric Challenge this year aligns with our focus to increase member participation while enhancing a sense of community. The rainbow uses all of the visible colors of light and combines them into one unified symbol to demonstrate community and equality and is a perfect representation of what our guild is working for. We want to encourage our members to tell their own stories about rainbows.

We are encouraging members to use any of their fabrics in the creation of a rainbow mini for this year’s challenge. in 2023 there were 3 beautiful throw-sized quilts and 39 incredible mini quilts displayed at Powell’s Books in the Basil Hallward Gallery for the month of June. The show was warmly received by the public and Powell’s Books, with the following year, June 2024 booked for our guild to show our love for rainbows and quilts again.

Fabric Challenge 2024

  • The challenge will run from March 2024 through May 29, 2024   

  • Participants can choose to receive a fat quarter or fat eighth in a rainbow printed fabric as part of the challenge to incorporate into their piece.  

  • The challenge fabric is first come, first serve, general membership signups will be open on the members-only page (open now). Sign-ups are available as supplies last.

  • You can make a mini quilt by yourself or work in a team, round-robin style.

  • There is an option of creating a larger quilt with a small group; space is limited so gather your team early and signup to secure your quilt spot! (limit of 60” x 60”)

  • All methods of piecing and quilting are welcome.

  • May be an original design or a pattern, but the designer must be credited.       

  • Quilts must be received in Portland no later than May 31st. We are working with local fabric shops and members to get drop-off points and there will be a mailing address to mail quilts to posted on the members-only page.

Project Submissions

Quilts must be physically submitted to the coordinator by May 31st, 2024 to show in the Powell’s Books gallery. Mail-in option, local porch drop-off, and drop-off spots in Portland will be available as well.

To submit your finished piece, fill out the submission form on the members-only page.

Social Media Sharing

Make sure to use these hashtags when sharing your project on social media.    

  • @portlandmqg

  • #pmqgrainbows

  • #pmqgchallenge                                           

We love seeing sneak peeks and works in progress as well as finished projects on all of our social media platforms. Be sure to tag the guild on Instagram: @portlandmqg

Promotion of your project on social media is welcomed (including works in progress and sneak peeks).                                                  

Choosing the Winners

This contest is based on your design, creativity, and your use of a rainbow color palette in your project. A QR code will be displayed in the gallery for the month of June with a link to a public voting page for a favorite mini.

Prizes

1st place, 2nd place, 3rd place, and drawing from all other quilt makers to find a fourth winner to choose one of a few fabulous prizes.          

Participant Rules

Open only to current PMQG members                          

PMQG reserves the right to disqualify any entry that it believes in its sole discretion infringes upon or violates the terms and conditions of these guidelines.

In addition, you agree to accept the decisions of the PMQG volunteers as final and binding as it relates to the Contest.

Entry must not be derogatory, threatening, defamatory, disparaging, libelous, or that promotes hatred or harm against any group or person or otherwise does not comply with the theme and spirit of this challenge.

No form of bribery will be permitted; incentives such as giveaways, prizes, etc. in return for votes will result in automatic disqualification.