Sponsored by the Japan Handicraft Instructors’ Association, an organization promoting handcraft arts through training and publications in Japan for more than 45 years, the Quilt Japan competition began in 1989 and became an international competition in 2005. The biennial contest is the largest in Japan and one of the most prestigious in the world. Only original works that have neither been previously exhibited nor published are accepted for judging.

Quiltmakers entered more than 340 pieces in traditional and contemporary categories in the 12th Quilt Japan competition in 2013. The International Quilt Museum is honored to exhibit a selection of prize-winning and meritorious pieces.