Our 2026 Quilt Challenge is all about letters! Why letters? This is the 26th year of the 21st century, and there just happen to be 26 letters in the alphabet. Coincidence? We think not.
So what does Use Your Letters mean? Pretty much anything you want it to mean. You might literally add letters to your piece using appliqué, embroidery, piecing (traditional, FPP, or EPP), printing, or even painting on fabric. Or you can take a more playful approach and let your initials lead the way—choose fabrics based on color names, build a quilt from blocks that start with your letters, or explore techniques and textures that match. Got an “S”? Think stripes. A “P”? Plaids or polka dots could be calling your name.
As for rules—there really aren’t many. Your piece just needs to feature textiles. In past challenges we’ve seen quilts galore, along with bags, pillows, wall hangings, and even clothing. If it’s stitched (or painted, printed, or pieced), it’s welcome.
We’ll reveal the finished challenge pieces at our General Meeting on November 24, 2026; then we’ll showcase them at the 2027 MPS Quilt Show. We can’t wait to see how you interpret the theme. Spark your creativity, follow where the letters lead, and most of all—have fun with it!
Curious about what members have done before? Be sure to visit our Quilt Challenge Archive by clicking the button below for plenty of inspiration.