This year, Sue Sherman, of Newmarket, Ont., dominated the National Juried Show, winning Best in Show and the Dorothy McMurdie Award for outstanding workmanship in an original design. She also placed first and second place in the category of Art Depiction of Human or Animal Form.

Her messages of the dangers to all animals on a changing planet showed a variety of creatures. The way she depicted polar bears, zebras, giraffes, cranes, a monkey and an alligator demonstrate a skill for visual storytelling.

The judges clearly admired her talent for the details as well. Each matte thread of a polar bear’s fur drew in attendees at Quilt Canada in Winnipeg. While Sue had initially not planned to come, she flew in once she learned of the profile of her work. On Friday, she talked with hundreds of admirers about her techniques and the need to stop climate change.

In addition to her work, we also share the work of additional artists recognized by this year’s judges.

Best in Show 

On Thin Ice by Sue Sherman

I photographed this polar bear mother and yearling cub in Churchill, Man.  They stayed around our vehicle long enough to observe the cub investigating and the mother teaching about the world.  I love how the sheen of the silk mimics the ice.  And I love the concentration of the cub on its reflection.

Dorothy McMurdie Award

Where’s the Tipping Point? by Sue Sherman

As we learn more about climate change and habitat loss, we uncover critical tipping points – thresholds beyond which ecosystems may collapse and the damage becomes irreversible. This piece highlights the potential chaos of Earth’s future and explores specific tipping points we hope we never see.

Art Depiction of a Human or Animal

1st Place – Denizen of Añangu Lake by Sue Sherman

Photographed by the quilter in the Ecuadorian rainforest, this black caiman was patiently waiting below the surface of a small lake.  Just before sunset, the sky and the surrounding trees were reflected in the water, as well as in its vigilant eyes. A bee on its snout blended right in.

2nd Place- Living the High Life by Sue Sherman

Sue photographed this Ecuadorean White Capuchin high in the rainforest of Ecuador; it was surrounded by a great biodiversity of plants and small animals it loves to eat.  These diverse food items made a meaningful frame for this larger-than-life portrait.

3rd Place – Puffin Pals by Janet Fox  

Houston, Texas                                

Recognized primarily for their whimsical appearance and playful charm, puffins are also remarkably dedicated partners. They mate for life and jointly care for their pufflings. Hand-dyed fabric, batiks, and stitched texture render this pair as they rest together on sun-drenched rocks. Based on photograph by Bob Duchesne. Used with permission; Begun in workshop by Sandra Mollon  

Excellence in Sustainability

Egout Pluvial by Elaine Armstrong

Kingston,Ont.

Storm sewers are designed to solve a problem: heavy rains’ runoff to prevent flooding. The covers sometimes depict fish, water taps or warnings of danger – signs for us to prevent problems. Warning: if toxins flow down these drains our precious fresh waterways and aquatic life will be poisoned.

Excellence in Innovation       

The Ties That Bind: Threadbare and Fancy-Free by Jordan St. James

Montreal, Que.           

Stitched fragments lean together via strands of thread, holding space between closeness and distance, human connection and disconnection. Vulnerability becomes collective resistance. The people we meet, we love, we let go of. We are all human and humans are simply complex. This quilt was built to fall apart.  Let it. 

Excellence in Threadwork using Wonderfil

What Holds Us by Denese DeGrandis

Heritage Pointe, Alta.

What Holds Us reflects the strength of interconnectedness – the unseen bonds that nurture belonging, resilience and hope. Beneath a whimsical village, layered foundations speak to the quiet support systems that sustain communities, often unnoticed yet essential.

Excellence in Threadwork using Aurifil

Threshold of Flight by Deborah Csongradi

Edmonton, Alta.

Poised between water and sky, the heron embodies a moment of deliberate pause. Through layered textiles and subtle value shifts, this piece explores stillness as charged space where balance, intention and restraint gather. They suggest that transformation often begins in quiet resolve rather than motion. Inspired by a photo taken by Louise Jean (used with permission)

Excellence in Piecing

N43º W79º by Chriss Coleman

Stouffville, Ont.

A group of close friends decided to each make a temperature quilt, each a different design, and share their process and progress together. Colours indicate highs, lows, and feels-like/windchill for each day, with white added on days with precipitation. It starts in the centre on Jan 1st, spiralling outwards. Each 2″ square represents one day, with a blank between each month. The pieced grey background is simply for fun and insanity. 

Excellence for a Group Project

Solids on Steroids by Diane Paquin Provost            

Montréal, Que.   

The path of improvisation is a mystery; this is a testament to that journey. Thirteen friends each sent long strips in different colours, which Diane cut and reassembled until they were unrecognizable. The result is an electric fragmented composition full of energy – born entirely from play, instinct and trusting the process.

With the collaboration of her 2025 StashBee Friends: Helen Malanchak of New Zealand, Nina Scott-Stoddart of Nova Scotia, Laurie Jennings of Louisiana, Paula White of Maine, Bonnie Readd of Idaho, Maree Schroder of New Zealand, Tracy Hansen of Tennesse, Doretta Phillips LA, Annemieke York of Texas, Wendi  Washer of Arizona, Marie-Christine Fournier of Florida, Emily O. Jayne of Kentucky, Cathleen C. Wolford of California.   

Excellence in Machine Quilting Frameless

Create…get your AIG by Patricia Dance

Port Alberni, B.C. 

Sometimes when I get “stuck,” I think that I should  get my ass in gear (AIG) and start something – anything – just to get those creative juices flowing. The design of the word create suggested building ideas and getting the design gears rolling. 

The word ‘create’ was a file that came with my Brother Scan ‘N’ Cut machine. The gears were from an Etsy site by YathandraHolt LLC digital media. (allowed to be used as part of a larger design plan.)    

Excellence in Machine Quilting Framed      

Holy Y Seams by Darlene Roger

Kirkton, Ont.  

This Eldon pattern by Edyta Sitar of Laundry Basket Quilts offered a real lesson in assembling blocks using Y seams. Darlene wanted a radiating look from the centre out, hence the changing of the background colours.  She also altered the pattern by changing the outer border to enlarge the quilt and to create an area to do some custom ruler and free motion quilting.

Excellence in Hand Quilting

Windermere by Barbara Baker

Surrey, B.C.

Barbara  bought this pattern by Di Ford Hall to support leukemia research, then discovered the fabrics needed to make it in her stash. She enjoyed doing the English paper piecing and Broderie Perse. The background fabric dictated the linear hand quilting patterns. She tried different patterns in each set of blocks.

Excellence in Applique          

Baltimore Spring by Pearl Sceviour

Spruce Grove, Alta.   

This is Pearl’s third in this series of quilts.  She loves the challenge of executing the tiny details in this pattern by Pearl P. Pereira of P3 Designs. Quilted by Joanne Flamand, Spools the Workshop 

Excellence by a Manitoba/Saskatchewan Quiltmaker      

A Sparkle of Inspiration by Megan Harper  

Virden, Man.  

Following a pattern as written can feel uninspiring sometimes. After starting Fields of Aster by Quiltworx, Megan packed this project away for months, feeling that she had lost her spark. Later, when she pulled it out to complete it, Megan veered away from the pattern. As she infused her own style, it helped her get her spark (sparkle) back again.

Sponsored by the Manitoba Prairie Quilters, Moose Jaw Prairie Hearts, Prairie Piecemakers’ Quilters’ Guild of Regina, the Prince Albert Quilt Guild and the Saskatoon Quilters Guild

Excellence by a First-Time Exhibitor             

You Are Not Alone by Rebekah Wilkinson  

Burnaby, B.C. 

If a rainbow is God’s promise to spare the earth, the hummingbird reminds we are never alone. It dances, fleeting, returning daily, a tiny messenger of joy and presence.

Judge’s Choice – Rebecca McAlpine

Every Child Matters by Esperanza Aldrich

Lacombe, Alta.

Inspired by a photograph of her daughter, Esperanza used a three-dimensional technique she saw at Houston International Quilt show 13 years ago. While depicted as three images, it is one piece with a different one showing from straight ahead, from the left and from the right.

It honours Indigenous children and the legacy of residential schools.  Portraying her daughter  grounds this history in lived experience. The focal point is fully thread-painted. This piece expresses remembrance through layered stitching, affirming every child’s dignity, resilience and future.

Judges Choice – Wanda Diboll

Homage à Ricky Tims – The Convergi-scope-sody by Pat Daniels

Winnipeg, Man.

The Convergi-scope-sody merges Ricky Tims’ Convergence, Kaleidoscope and Rhapsody methods. Inspired by his ability to think outside the box, Pat took three of his techniques and fused them into one. She used his vibrantly coloured hand-dyes fabrics exclusively, supported with colourful thread. Inspired by Ricky Tims’ books and classes

The winners of categories by quilting style (modern, traditional, abstract, etc.) will be shared later.