stitched and bound is WAQA’s contemporary quilting exhibition.  It is a biennial juried exhibition showcasing the innovative range of current work being produced by Western Australian artists who challenge the usual concept of the ‘quilt’ medium.  Artists are encouraged to work outside the quilt format and push the boundaries of the medium focusing on making personal statements through the use of unconventional materials, ideas and techniques.  Pieces to be exhibited are selected on artistic merit, innovation within the quilt medium and standard of design and execution.  Typically, 30 - 40 works are chosen by three independent jurors for showing. 

Tina Meikle stitched and bound Convenor email: waqasandb@gmail.com

Midland Junction Arts Centre (MJAC) hosted the 2024/25 stitched and bound exhibition from 18 May 2024 until 14 July 2024 (open Tuesday – Friday 10am-5pm; Saturday and Sunday 11am-3pm). The exhibition is currently on a regional tour ending October 2025.

Midland Junction Arts Centre (MJAC) will host the 2026/27 stitched and bound exhibition from 1 May 2026 until 28 June 2026 (open Tuesday – Friday 10am-5pm; Saturday and Sunday 11am-3pm).

For more detailed information visit the stitched and bound website.

WAQA sponsors the Patchwork and Quilting section of the Royal Agricultural Society of WA show each year.

The Perth Royal Show 2025 ran over the period 27 Sep - 4 Oct 2025 and the special theme was “Sunflowers”.

Dates and theme for 2026 yet to be announced.

One of the privileges of WAQA membership is free entry into the annual Challenge. The deadline to submit your quilt is the end of October with voting for Members’ Choice at the November sewing day and night meetings. Usually there are several WAQA events where the quilts are shown, including a featured display at QuiltWest.

The photos of entries from Challenge 2024 and Challenge 2023 can be found in the Galleries of Quilts and photos of entries from other years can be found in the Members only area in the Galleries of Quilts Archive.

 Criteria

The only requirement for your quilt to be entered in the challenge is that you be a current member of WAQA and that the quilt is no greater than 50cm x 70cm. The quilt should have a label on the back including your name, the title of your quilt and a contact detail (address, phone number, or email).  Your quilt must have a hanging sleeve - 7cm (3”) deep and 5cm (2”) narrower than the width of your quilt at each end, to accommodate the hanging hooks.  Your quilt will not hang attractively for voting with a full-width sleeve.

There is no restriction on the style of your quilt.  It is an opportunity for you to use a favourite technique or experiment with something new on a small scale. Your quilt may be traditional, contemporary, modern, or avant-guard. The quilt can be hand and/or machine worked and can include: piecing, appliqué, embroidery, and embellishments.

We encourage quilters of all levels of skill to enter as the quilts are not formally judged and it is wonderful to see how many different interpretations we can get from a single theme. We are very proud to have a display of work that represents the full range of our membership. Contact waqachallenge@gmail.com for more information.

Exhibition Loan

The exhibition can be loaned to groups or associations within Australia for short periods. WAQA pays the postage both ways within WA and one-way interstate.

If your group would like to arrange to borrow the challenge quilts bookings can be made by contacting our Challenge Quilts Convenor – email: waqachallenge@gmail.com

The event concluded in October with The Showing of the Quilts at the Leederville Function Centre, centrally located just off the freeway with plenty of free parking onsite. This was an exhibition of the quilts made using the mystery blocks, with prizes awarded by popular vote!  Open to the public with morning and afternoon tea available, this was a great day out for family and friends.

For more detailed information visit The Progressive Quilt.