Hoffman Challenge Entries

The Hoffman Challenge will celebrate 30 years in 2018!  Each year, the 

company designs a challenge fabric. Sometimes the fabric is offered in a 

choice of two colorways! Entrants can use one, or both, colorways in their 

entries. There are rules to follow and different categories (i.e. quilts, clothing)
to select. I have submitted entries in this contest four times. I submitted my 

first entry in 2000. At that time, entries were shipped to a curator before
they were judged (entries are now submitted online).  I waited anxiously
for news about my first entry. A few weeks later, my entry was
unceremoniously sent back to me. Obviously my vest was not selected
to go on tour. That entry is shown in the first photo below.

“Quilter Gone Bonkers”, ©️2000 Suzanne Myers Otto. I used raw edge

crazy quilting to compose the front of this vest. I collect mother-of-pearl
buttons and I incorporated a number of them into this vest. Pre-washed flannel

was used for the batting in this vest.

Vest back (below) is made of the 2000 challenge fabric. Note the decorative
machine stitching I used to quilt the vest. The stitching was done BEFORE the
lining was added.

Not to be deterred, I entered the Hoffman challenge again, in 2003. The challenge
fabric is the cherry print on a black background. This time I was successful, as
“Cherry Folkfest Vest” was chosen to go on tour. Yay!

©️2003 Suzanne Myers Otto

I often add hand-couched novelty threads/yarns to my garments. They introduce
additional color and texture to the piece. They are sewn on through the patchwork
layer and the batting (before I add a lining). Pretty Bavarian embroidered trim
adds to the folksy theme of my vest!





Ten years after submitting my 2003 entry, I got into the groove again and submitted
another entry. My 2013 entry (shown below) was selected to go on tour. I especially
liked the challenge fabric in 2013, as it my favorite color, turquoise. I used
a tool called “Flip Flop” to create the zig zag piecing on the vest front. Additional
strip piecing and vintage trims enhance this vest.

“Spirit of Valley Ridge”, ©️2013, Suzanne Myers Otto








Vest back view (below). The 2013 challenge print is featured. Vintage

lace adds interest.



I decided to enter a quilt in the 2016 Hoffman Challenge. The navy blue challenge print

focused on butterflies of many colors. I didn’t know what to do with the print!

Ultimately, I ironed fusible interfacing to the wrong side of the fabric, then cut out

some of the butterflies. After creating a tree, I appliqued the butterflies, along with some 

“leaves”, to my tree and sky background. The leaves were cut from various green fabrics

in my stash. I painted the leaf edges with Jacquard metallic paint. All of the

applique on this quilt is done with raw edges. The coneflowers were painted on with

textile paint. This quilt was selected to go on tour. Hoffman Challenge entries chosen

for exhibition are usually on tour for one year.

Fritillary Fantasyland”, ©️2016, Suzanne Myers Otto

The 2018 challenge print is shown below. Light and dark backgrounds are available.

Entrants can use one, or both, prints. I plan to submit an entry! How ‘bout YOU?