Nancy Zieman blogs about Quilt Expo 2007...

With just a little more than six months until this year's Quilt Expo in Madison, Be more Tuned In is joined by Nancy Zieman, host of the long-running Sewing With Nancy public television program, to learn about an exciting opportunity for quilters to be involved in this year's quilt contest.

I'm delighted to be a guest on this blog. Many of you may recognize me, Nancy Zieman, as the host of the public television series Sewing With Nancy, airing at 9 Saturday mornings on WPT.

Several years ago, Sewing With Nancy and WPT formed a partnership to present the first Quilt Expo in Madison, Wis. This September 13 through 15 will mark the third year for the event. I look forward to meeting and talking with the expo's attendees.

The 2007 Quilt Expo will provide outstanding educational opportunities for quilters, and a 10-category juried and judged quilt contest that offers cash prizes for the awards-winning quilts.

The quilt contest is truly the keystone of Quilt Expo and attracts ardent quilters as well as many non-quilters whose sole purpose for attending the event is to view the spectacular quilt contest exhibit. It is invariably the most popular component of Quilt Expo.

In 2006, the quilt contest exhibit was comprised of 246 extraordinary quilts that showcased the work of quilters from all across the country. Last year's winning quilts may be viewed at this site.

I encourage all quilters, amateur and professional, to take part in the 2007 Quilt Expo quilt contest by submitting up to four quilts. The submission deadline is June 22.

Young quilters up to 15 years old, also can enter their quilts to win prizes in the youth quilt contest sponsored by Nancy's Notions. The submission deadline is Sept. 1.

View rules for both quilt contests and download entry forms here.

-Nancy Zieman