Participate in the Quilt Expo Quilt Contests...

Quilters are invited to enter quilts in this year's 10-category juried and judged contest. The contest awards first-, second- and third-place cash prizes in each of the 10 categories.

The first-place winner in each category receives $500, second-place $300 and third-place $200, plus a Best of Show winner is awarded $1,500. From the entries, a special Viewers' Choice winner is selected by Quilt Expo attendees and receives $500. The 2008 award-winning quilts may be viewed at the Quilt Expo Web site.

The Kids' Quilt Challenge for youth age 15 and under is sponsored by Nancy Zieman Productions and awards gift certificates to the top three quilts -- a $200 certificate for first place, $100 for second place and $50 for third place.

Both quilt contest entry forms are available for download at the Quilt Expo Web site. For more information, call 800-253-1158.

The 2009 Quilt Expo is presented by WPT and Nancy Zieman Productions 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 10 through Saturday, Sept. 12 in the Exhibition Hall at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison. The event includes the quilt contest exhibits, additional special quilt exhibits, Sit & Sew, and hands-on workshops taught by leading quilting educators, stage presentations with innovative tips and techniques, a vendor mall with national and local businesses, two special evening events, appearances by Nancy Zieman of public television's Sewing With Nancy and prize drawings.