2011 Hoffman Challege

This year's Hoffman Challenge fabric and coordinating pieces have arrived! The challenge piece is a gorgeous turquoise and gold. The coordinates are equally as beautiful. You can view them at Grandma's Attic.

The curator of 2011's Hoffman Challenge is Julie Breidt who began as curator in 2010. Prior to that time, Kelly Gallagher-Abbott was curator for eight years. Margrit Hall managed the Challenge between 1998 and 2001, and before that, the curators and founders of the Challenge were Betty Boyink and Holice Turnbow.

Every year a team from Hoffman Fabrics chooses an upcoming fabric design and then issues a challenge to quilt, clothing, doll and accessory makers to create an original item using the fabric. The challenge curator and a group of assistants jury the entries and then a select team of judges chooses the award winners and cash prizes are given.

The juried collections then travel to be exhibited by quilt and other fiber guilds, shops, museums and textile shows. The exhibits are displayed and enjoyed in several hundred locations across the United States and Canada.

Since it's beginning in 1988, the Hoffman Challenge has grown to be a premiere traveling quilt, clothing and doll collection. The quality of entries and a growing number of exhibit requests have led Hoffman to establish additional traveling collections. Currently, twelve collections travel coast-to-coast within the United States and Canada.

In 2011, the Hoffman Challenge celebrates its 23rd anniversary. In 1987, the Challenge began with 94 enthusiastic quilters. Some years the number of entries have been more than 700. In addition to the three quilt categories (pieced, applique and mixed technique), new categories include clothing/wearable art, accessories and dolls. While the majority of the entries come from the United States, many international entries are also received.

Deadline for entries in this year's Hoffman Challenge is July 15, 2011. Click here for more information on how you can join the fun. To purchase this year's Hoffman Challenge fabric, go to Grandma's Attic