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Ready to take your quilting to the next level? There are a number of proud quilting record holders with various titles that include words like “biggest” and “longest”—why aren’t you one of them? For many quilters, it’s not enough to enjoy the endless benefits of quilting, such as stress relief and improved memory, because they also want validated proof that their quilts are worthy of breaking records. Here are a few for inspiration, and maybe even motivation, to take a shot at becoming the next quilting record holder. Start with the Guinness World Records, which has a category for Largest Patchwork Quilt. It’s currently held by Realizar Eventos Especiales of Portugal who created a massive 270,174 square foot quilt dubbed Manta da Cultura (or Patchwork for Culture). It’s been holding the record since June 18, 2000, which means it’s about time for a new contender. If that’s not your style, Guinness World Records is always open to new pitches and ideas, so why not be the next record holder and creator? The Competition For many, Guinness is the unopposed leader in world records, but the World Records Academy (WRA) is also on many quilters’ radar. According to the WRA, the real world’s biggest quilt title is held by Daphne O’Connor who created a 3,000 square foot blanket pieced together with 40 bedspreads, each of which was carefully selected. The majority feature a quote from the bible and a country name. It was a Father’s Day gift for God, says the New Yorker. Initially, she had created a (normal sized) gift for the White House following 9/11, and this was a follow-up. She calls it the Message in a Blanket, and says, “This is a Father’s Day gift for God. I had it done before Father’s Day, but didn’t get a chance to display it. I wanted to go for the Guinness Book of World Records, at the same time, so I started thinking ‘Let me start putting this together’.” The Portugal piece took 11 years to finish, but O’Connor’s was done in two years. However, Guinness has yet to update their official records. A Beauty Pageant Beauty is in the eye of the beholder—or sometimes in the eye of judges for revered competitions held by entities like the International Quilt Association. Each year, there’s a competition for the world’s most beautiful quilt, and it comes with a cash prize of $10,000. The judges are different every year, so you have a new chance to wow on a regular basis. If you’re of the camp that believes size doesn’t matter (but looking good and perfect needlework does), this is the record for you. Think your quilting skills have what it takes to break a record or win a prize? Start by branching out and testing new skills while simultaneously getting regular practice on your tried and true techniques. Perfection (and winning) takes dedication. Anyone can be the next world record holder, and that’ll be worth some serious bragging rights in your quilting circle.
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