home arts & hobbies

QUILTS

• My First Quilt (any style)
• Patchwork/Pieced Quilt
• Appliqué (Stitched) Quilt
• Embroidery or Cross Stitch
• Art or Crazy Quilt
• Any Style Design (professionally quilted)
• Fair Theme Inspired Quilt

Competition Timeline

Eligibility

• Open to all adults aged 18 years old by the Entry Deadline listed above.
• Entries must be original work of the exhibitor and completed in the last two (2) years.
• Work by two (2) or more artists is not eligible.
• Work, or nearly identical work, previously shown at the Fair, regardless of title, is not eligible.
• Work created by generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), either partially or completely, is not eligible.

CONTACT US

Veronica Navarro, Coordinator

2026 LOCAL RULES

1. Completion of online entry registration shall be deemed acceptance of all rules and permission to use your name, photograph, and images and description of entries in print, digital and other media.
2. Online registration is required for all competitions and one-day contests. Online entries and any required image/document uploads are accepted until the published deadline, which specifies a date and time. Late entries will not be accepted.
3. Once registered, the exhibitor name, entry description, title, and price may not be changed. Substitutions will only be allowed in accordance with current State Rules. Fair Management is not responsible for errors on entry forms which may lead to elimination or disqualification of an entry.
4. Processing fees must be paid online at the time of registration. Processing fees are non-refundable.
5. Exhibitors must be living at the time the online entry is submitted.
6. All non-livestock/non-agricultural entries must be the creative work of the exhibitor (whose name appears on the entry registration), be in good taste, and suitable for family viewing. Fair Management reserves the right to disqualify any entry/exhibit it deems objectionable or not in accordance with competition standards.
7. If an entry is disqualified after judging is complete, no changes will be made to the status of awards given for other entries.
8. Exhibitors are responsible for obtaining necessary permission from models and/or to use material in their entry that is considered copyrighted.
9. No entry will be accepted should the exhibitor describe the conditions under which he/she will exhibit, or the exhibit will be displayed.
10. Judges are selected for their expertise in the divisions or classes they evaluate. New judges may be appointed each year, and judging assignments may vary annually based on the needs of each competition
11. If a coordinator or judge deems an entry to be in the incorrect category, division, class, etc., he or she may direct the Entry Office to move that entry as appropriate. The Entry Office may combine divisions or classes to create an adequate judging pool.
12. Fair Management reserves the right to limit entries, and display thereof, to facilities available and to cancel any division or class in which, in its judgment, the entries are insufficient to secure adequate competition.
13. Entries must be delivered on the date(s) and times specified. Entries will not be accepted before or after the stated entry delivery date. All accepted exhibits must remain on display and shall not be removed until the stated entry pick up date. Any exhibit not picked up on the specified date becomes the property of the San Diego County Fair and will be disposed of promptly.
14. All exhibits are entered and shown at the owner’s risk. Reasonable care will be taken to prevent loss or damage to exhibits, but in no event will the 22nd District Agricultural Association (San Diego County Fair) be responsible for any injury or loss which may occur or for the actions of third parties. Insurance, if desired, should be obtained by the exhibitor at his/her own expense.
15. Any person who violates any Local, State, or Department rule or displays unethical conduct will forfeit all privileges and premiums and be subject to such penalty as the 22nd District Agricultural Association (San Diego County Fair) may order.
16. To ensure reliable award notification, exhibitors are responsible for submitting all address, phone number and email address updates promptly in writing to entry@sdfair.com or Entry Department, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd, Del Mar, CA 92014.
17. Premium money will be paid per the recorded placings in the official judging reports rather than the ribbon attached to the exhibit.
18. Donated Award recipients will be selected per the instructions given on the Donated Award Confirmation Form submitted by the donor.
19. Premium, donated cash award, and auction checks will be made payable to the exhibitor as listed on the online entry registration. Checks will be mailed within 30 days after the close of the Fair to the address shown on the online entry registration, or as updated by the exhibitor via written notification to the Entry Office. Checks not cashed within six (6) months from the date of issue will be forfeited. Replacement checks may be subject to a stop payment fee.
20. The 22nd District Agricultural Association (San Diego County Fair) is required by the Internal Revenue Service to report any premium payments totaling $600 or more. Exhibitors whose awards meet or exceed this amount must submit a W-9 form before their check can be issued.
21. The 22nd District Agricultural Association (San Diego County Fair) management reserves the right to amend or add to these rules and assumes no liability or responsibility not herein expressed.

California State Rules apply and are available here.

Entry Limit

Two (2) entries per exhibitor per class. Exhibitors may enter as many classes as desired.

Entry Fees

Entry fees are payable online with a credit card and are not refundable.

Fair Tickets

Each exhibitor will receive two (2) Fair Entry Tickets.

How to Enter

If you plan to make changes to your entries or need to leave ShoWorks at any time, SAVE YOUR CART before exiting out.

For additional help with entering and uploading images, review this detailed step-by-step guide: Entry Tutorial

Still have questions?
Please call or email the Entry Office.
Phone: (858) 792-4207, Monday-Friday, 10am-4pm

Sale of Entries

Exhibitors wishing to sell their entry must enter the sale price and preferred social media contact on the online registration form. Price and social media information will be printed on the entry tag for display in the exhibit. All sales must be negotiated and completed directly between the exhibitor and the buyer.

No business cards or personal advertisements will be displayed in the exhibit.

How to Prepare Your Entry for Delivery

Please see individual categories, divisions, and classes for specific entry requirements.

• Fabrics must be clean, reasonably odor-free, and free of pet hair and dander.
• Apply a minimum 4” hanging sleeve/casing to all quilt entries.
• Delivery bags, boxes and containers may be used for delivery but will not be saved in the exhibit. Exhibitors should take them away after delivery.

Judging

The Home Arts & Hobbies Quilt Show uses the American system of judging.

Judging Results

Results will be announced at the Home Arts & Hobbies Awards Reception and posted on the San Diego County Fair’s website by the second week of the fair.

Entry Delivery & Pickup

Entries must be delivered to the Fairgrounds. Please refer to the Exhibition Timeline for in-person delivery dates. Exhibitors will be emailed delivery and pick up instructions including a map showing access to the Fairgrounds.

Home Arts & Hobbies will provide entry tags at entry delivery. Please allow time to attach entry tags to projects with materials and assistance provided by fair staff. Exhibitors will be responsible for attaching tag.

A claim check will be issued to each exhibitor upon entry delivery and must be presented at the time of entry pick up. If an exhibitor is unable to pick up their artwork, they may arrange for another person to bring in their claim check with a signed written authorization from the exhibitor.

Quick Group Delivery Appointments - If you registered as a Quick Group (clubs, guilds, organizations) and plan to deliver all entries in the group together, please CLICK HERE to request an appointment time on one of the in-person delivery dates.

Awards

Award checks will be mailed within two (2) weeks of the last day of the Fair. Please submit address updates to the Entry Office in a timely manner.

Award-winning exhibitors will receive an invitation to our Home Arts & Hobbies Awards Reception and free Fair admission for the day of the event.

Fair-themed items will have the opportunity to be displayed in the Theme exhibit.

People’s Choice Award will be announced after the Fair and will have the opportunity to be recognized at the 2027 Fair.

The following will be awarded:

Special Awards

Donated Awards

QUILTS

See Glossary for all definitions

Quilts MUST have a hanging sleeve/casing of at least 4”.

Due to limited space, quilts may not be shown in their entirety.

JUDGING CRITERIA: Workmanship (40%), Design & Appearance (40%), Difficulty (20%)

Division 100: Quilts up to 48" (Width or Length)

Class 001 My First Quilt - Any style

Class 002 Patchwork/Pieced Quilt

Class 003 Hand or Machine Appliqué Quilt

Class 004 Embroidery or Cross-Stitched Quilt

Class 005 Art or Crazy Quilt (Original Design)

Class 006 Any Style Design - Top by exhibitor, professionally quilted

Class 007 Fair Theme “Once Upon a Fair”

Division 101: Quilts 49" - 74” (Width or Length)

Class 001 My First Quilt - Any style

Class 002 Patchwork/Pieced Quilt

Class 003 Hand or Machine Appliqué Quilt

Class 004 Embroidery or Cross-Stitched Quilt

Class 005 Art or Crazy Quilt (Original Design)

Class 006 Any Style Design - Top by exhibitor, professionally quilted

Class 007 Fair Theme “Once Upon a Fair”

Division 102: Quilts 75” - 110" (Width or Length)

Class 001 My First Quilt - Any style

Class 002 Patchwork/Pieced Quilt

Class 003 Hand or Machine Appliqué Quilt

Class 004 Embroidery or Cross-Stitched Quilt

Class 005 Art or Crazy Quilt (Original Design)

Class 006 Any Style Design - Top by exhibitor, professionally quilted

Class 007 Fair Theme “Once Upon a Fair”