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The Grand Central Terminal Centennial Quilt Challenge was a completed 2013–14 quilting competition organized by American Patchwork & Quilting and New York shop The City Quilter. Entrants created original quilts incorporating designated Grand Central fabrics; 30 selected quilts, including the prize winners, were announced for exhibition at the New York Transit Museum’s Grand Central Gallery Annex in 2014.
What was the Grand Central Terminal Centennial Quilt Challenge?
The challenge marked the centennial of Grand Central Terminal, which opened on February 2, 1913, after ten years of construction, according to American Patchwork & Quilting’s 2013 announcement. The project brought together textile design and the terminal’s architecture and history, including its threatened demolition, preservation after a court battle, and 1976 National Register designation, as described in the magazine’s centennial article.
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American Patchwork & Quilting and The City Quilter invited quilters across the United States to design and make an original quilt using at least one of four designated centennial fabrics. Finalists and winners were to be shown at the New York Transit Museum Gallery Annex and Store inside the terminal.
What were the challenge rules?
The originating announcement establishes the core requirements: entrants had to be US quilters, submit an original quilt, and use at least one of four designated fabrics. A contemporaneous SAQA Connecticut community newsletter reposted additional entry details attributed to The City Quilter. Because the original official rules file was not independently reviewed, these measurements and dates are best treated as secondary-reported details:
#1 Best Overall
- CREATE A LARGE FLEECE QUILT: Knot, pull & repeat — in just 3 easy steps, you can create your own 59-inch by 39-inch fleece quilt!
- NO CUTTING, NO SEWING: This quilt-making kit comes with 20 pre-cut, pre-measured fleece squares that come ready to knot or braid — no cutting or sewing required!
- LEARN 4 EASY WAYS TO KNOT: Braid it, knot it, double weave it, pull it through — follow the picture-based instructions to learn how to tie a little love into every square you connect!
- PRETTY FELT EMBELLISHMENTS: Make your quilt completely your own — peel and stick the felt stickers onto the colorful squares!
- SET INCLUDES: 20 Fleece Squares (4 Yellow, 4 Purple, 4 Pink, 4 Light Blue, 4 Light Green), 4 Printed Fleece Squares, 1 Sheet of Adhesive Felt Stickers, Easy-to-Follow Instructions
- Maximum size: 36 inches square.
- Fabric requirement: At least 25% of the quilt’s surface had to use one or more designated Grand Central prints.
- Deadline: August 21, 2013.
- Submission limit: Up to five entries per person or group.
What fabrics were used?
The City Quilter created two designs, “Grand Central” and “GCT Constellations,” each offered in ivory and aqua colorways, according to the challenge announcement. The prints used recognizable terminal imagery; one design was modeled on the star-painted mural on the Main Concourse ceiling. The cited announcement describes the challenge-era fabrics, but does not establish whether they are available today.
Who won the challenge?
The American Quilter’s Society’s February 10, 2014 winners report named three prize-winning quilts:
Rank #2
- ♡ What You Get: This rotary cutter and mat set come with 1pcs sharp 45mm rotary fabric cutter with 5pcs replacement blades, 1pcs 9x12 inches (A4) Self Healing Cutting Mat, 1pcs 6.5x6.5 inches Acrylic Ruler, 1pcs #11 Craft Knife+10 Extra Blades, 20pcs Sewing Clips for all the cutters which you need to use.
- ♡ 45mm Rotary Cutter: Ergonomically designed handle with soft-grip for comfort on both sides, blade folds away nicely & safely,when trigger handle is released. Design with safety button, once the safety button is set, the trigger handle can not be used, even a kid can use it safely under the supervision of parents. The blade can install on both side of the rotary cutter, perfect for both right-handed & left-handed users. This rotary cutter is also compatible with pink, wavy blades.
- ♡ 45mm Rotary Cutter Blades: Blade is made from high quality SKS-7 steel.Blades are very sharp & durable.Suitable for cutting cutting all kinds of fabrics, paper, leather, scrapbooking, quilting and for all types of arts & crafts. It is more reliable than a pair of scissors, it can cut multiple layers of fabric or paper to the same size & shape at once, effortlessly without loose edges and threads. No strings are left behind, as it cuts clean and fast.
- ♡ Cutting Mat: Durable double-sided self healing cutting mat, the self-healing property help the mat re-heal itself for every cutting, grid print on both sides. Made from durable 5-Ply materials for accurate cutting, stays flat and won't warp. Mat size: 9x12 inches (A4) which is perfect for small & medium craft & sewing projects. This cutting mat protect your tabletop & blades. The soft compound of the mat does not dull blades.
- ♡ Great value cutting set: This rotary cutter set is perfect for cutting fabric, quilts, thread, paper and more. It's the ideal tool for quilting, sewing, scrapbooking, card making and other DIY projects.The essential tool for the avid sewer, quilter, craft! Quilting Kit- Ideal for Crafting, Sewing, Patch working, Crochet,Knitting.
| Award | Quilter and quilt | Size and design |
|---|---|---|
| Grand prize | Amy Krasnansky, “Time Flies, But We Take the Train” | 34.5 inches square; references the information-booth clock, eagle, ceiling light, and generations of travelers. |
| First prize | Ligaya Siachongco, “Grand Central Terminal Mandala” | 35 inches square; centers the information-booth clock. |
| Second prize | Beth Carney, “Chasms 16: Under the Stars” | 24 by 30.5 inches; draws on the movement of people beneath the constellation ceiling. |
The winners show different ways the terminal shaped the work: Krasnansky drew on familiar architectural details and travelers, Siachongco made the clock the organizing focal point, and Carney interpreted movement beneath the ceiling’s stars.
When and where were the quilts exhibited?
The AQS report said the three prize winners, nine honorable mentions, and 18 finalists—30 quilts in all—were scheduled for exhibition at the New York Transit Museum Gallery Annex in Grand Central Terminal from March 15 through July 7, 2014. A local report gave July 6 as the closing date, so the exact final day is not consistent across the cited accounts.
Rank #3
- PERFECT SEWING KIT -- The kit contains all the necessary tools that are required for performing basic sewing - Be it a rotary cutter, A3 cutting mat, Fabric Scissors, 3 replacement blades, quilting rulers, sewing clips, sewing pins and all sewing tools, everything neatly packaged ready for your use.
- CUTTING MAT & FABRIC CUTTER : Rotary cutting mat is a multi-purpose mat that can protect your tabletop from sharp blades, writing instruments, and other art and craft tools.Rotary cutter for fabric has an ergonomic handle for comfortable cutting, fabric cutter perfect for cutting fabric, quilts, thread, paper.
- WIDE USE: Fabric scissors is easy to cut through loose fabric yarn ,or threads when sewing ,knitting ,or crocheting. colorful head pins perfect for marking or decorating your sewing corsages, handcraft, clothing making, or crafting projects, and make your work more fun.
- A USEFUL GIFT - The quilting supplies is an amazing gift for a frequent traveler, mother, grandmother, a backpacker, little girls! The kit is equally good for use by both men and women, and is definitely something that people would love to use.
- ENJOY THE FUN OF HAND SEWING - Using your hand to repair your pet's favorite clothes or your kid's stuffed toys. You may fall in love with the feeling of DIY. Use sewing supplies to teach your kids to do some beautiful handmade, It will be very interesting.
Is the challenge still open?
No. The challenge and its announced 2014 exhibition are historical events, not a current contest. The cited sources do not establish current availability of the original fabrics, a challenge kit, or related merchandise.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Sewing Clips Pack for 100,9 Colors,Plastic Jar Packag
- Made of High-Quality ABS Material and Strong Spring Metal Sheet
- Clip Opens Wide to 11mm（0.43''）,Clips Size :27mm(1.06'')X10mm(0.39'')X13mm(0.51'')(LxWxH)
- Non-Slip Design Easily Holds Multiple Layers of Fabric in Place
- For Sewing Quilts, Diy, Quilting, Binding,etc
Rank #4
- ♡ What You Get: This rotary cutter and mat set includes 1 sharp 45mm rotary fabric cutter with 5 replacement blades, 1 self-healing 9x12 inch (A4 size) cutting mat, 1 6.5x6.5 inch acrylic ruler, 1 #11 craft knife with 10 extra blades, and 20 sewing clips for use with all the cutters.
- ♡ 45mm Rotary Cutter - Ergonomically designed handle with comfort-grip for both sides. The cutter is designed with safety button, when open the safety button, the trigger handle can not be used, even kid can use it safely with parents. In the same time fabric cutter is perfect for both right-handed & left-handed users.
- ♡ 45mm Rotary Cutter Blades & Craft Knife - The rotary blades are made of high quality SKS-7 steel, they are very sharp&durable and suitable for cutting all kinds of fabrics, paper, leather, ect, it can cut multiple layers of fabric or paper. Craft Knife is suitable for precision cutting and variety of craft projects, such as carving on wood, halloween pumpkin, foil, cardboard, wallpaper, plastic, cloth, leather.
- ♡ Self Healing Cutting Mat - Durable double-sided self healing cutting mat, the self-healing property help the mat re-heal itself after cutting, grid print on both sides. The craft mat is made of durable 5-Ply PVC materials, accurate cutting, stays flat and don't warp. Cutting Mat size is A4, grid size of print is 11" x 8", thickness is 3 mm. This sewing mat can protect your table or desk.
- ♡ Great Value Cutting Set - This rotary cutter set is the great ideal tool for quilting, sewing, scrapbooking, card making and other DIY projects. Quilting Kit- Ideal for Crafting, Patch working, Crochet, Knitting. At the same time, it is also a great choice for gift.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
