Includes styles such as cross-stitch, Assist, blackwork, needlepoint, cut-and-drawn. Approved SCA heraldic devices will be considered period if heraldry was used in the period of the entry.
DOCUMENTATION (0-4 points) Must have at least a 3X5 card. More is acceptable. Give one point for each of the following that is present:
- Identification/Description of the entry.
- Approximate date and place/nationality in history that the entry is modeled upon.
- List use(s) of the entry.
- Cites at least one reference, either illustrative (pictures) or descriptive relating to either A) period use of such item OR B) period method of constructing such item OR C) both A & B.
- 0:Non-period item such as blue jeans, tea cozy, backpack; OR other blatant modernity such as machine embroidery or blatantly modern materials.
- 1:Generally period but with obvious non-period elements: e.g. an SCA-specific piece (ribbon favor, etc.), questionable design, stitches, etc.; OR obvious mixture of elements from different periods or cultures.
- 2:Overall period effect with minor inconsistencies; materials are period (linen, silk, wool) or reasonable equivalent.
- 3:Period piece; no inconsistencies.
- 4:Special effort to achieve completely period effect by using period design, materials, tools, techniques, etc.; elements consistent to each other.
COMPLEXITY (1-5 points) Rank the ambition of the attempt, NOT the workmanship, on a scale of 1 to 5 based on the following.
- difficulty of motifs (e.g. geometric pattern is easier than human figure)
- design (how are motifs combined
- difficulty of materials used (e.g. velvet, metallics, etc. are harder)
- difficulty of stitches and techniques (e.g. needlepoint - 2, cross-stitch - 3, cut-and-drawn or intricate blackwork filler - 5)
- variety of elements/motifs/stitches/techniques
- charting
- scope of project (size in relation to detail)
WORKMANSHIP (1-5 points) Rank the success of the attempt on a scale of 1 to 5 based on the following.
- evenness (especially on geometric designs)
- neatness
- starts and ends
- tension
- uniformity (in density, stitch length, etc.)
- finishing of piece (hemming, applique, etc.)
CREATIVITY (1-6 points)
- 1:Project is NOT logical to context of period.
- 2:Project fits the context of period, but an adequate understanding of the item being created is missing OR was created from a kit with no changes.
- 3:Exact copy of design with minor changes.
- 4:Logical combination of several copied elements.
- 5:Project is mostly original application of period or SCA Known World designs OR is an exact reproduction of a period item.
- 6:Project is an original application of period or SCA Known World designs.
QUALITY (1-6 points)
Evaluate the work as a whole. NOTE: This category is subjective; however, the judge should take into account prior category scores, aesthetic appeal, presentation, intuitive response, and other such items not previously addressed. Keep in mind that this entry is at Novice Level, regardless of the skill of the entrant.
DOCUMENTATION (0-4 points) Must have at least a 1 page, 2-3 pages preferable. More is acceptable. Give one point for each of the following that is present:
- Identification/Description of the entry and the approximate date and place/nationality in history that the entry is modeled upon.
- Statement or listing of materials used in entry's construction and use(s) of the entry.
- Describes method(s) used to create entry (may include reasons for why a certain process or material was used).
- Cites at least two references, either illustrative (pictures) or descriptive relating to either A) period use of such item OR B) period method of constructing such item OR C) both A & B.
AUTHENTICITY (0-4 points) Consider item, thread, ground, stitches, colors.
- 0:Non-period item such as blue jeans, tea cozy, backpack; OR other blatant modernity such as machine embroidery or blatantly modern materials.
- 1:Generally period but with obvious non-period elements: e.g. an SCA-specific piece (ribbon favor, etc.), questionable design, stitches, etc.; OR obvious mixture of elements from different periods or cultures.
- 2:Overall period effect with minor inconsistencies; materials are period (linen, silk, wool) or reasonable equivalent.
- 3:Period piece; no inconsistencies.
- 4:Special effort to achieve completely period effect by using period design, materials, tools, techniques, etc.; elements consistent to each other.
COMPLEXITY (1-5 points) Rank the ambition of the attempt, NOT the workmanship, on a scale of 1 to 5 based on the following.
- difficulty of motifs (e.g. geometric pattern is easier than human figure)
- design (how are motifs combined
- difficulty of materials used (e.g. velvet, metallics, etc. are harder)
- difficulty of stitches and techniques (e.g. needlepoint - 2, cross-stitch - 3, cut-and-drawn or intricate blackwork filler - 5)
- variety of elements/motifs/stitches/techniques
- charting
- scope of project (size in relation to detail)
WORKMANSHIP (1-5 points) Rate the success of the entry on a scale of 1 to 5 based on the following:
- evenness (especially on geometric designs)
- neatness
- starts and ends
- tension
- uniformity (in density, stitch length, etc.)
- finishing of piece (hemming, applique, etc.)
CREATIVITY (1-4 points) Give score based on the following:
- 1:Exact copy of design with minor changes.
- 2:Logical combination of several copied elements.
- 3:Project is mostly original application of period or SCA Known World designs OR is an exact reproduction of a period item.
- 4:Project is an original application of period or SCA Known World designs.
QUALITY (1-8 points) )
Evaluate the work as a whole. NOTE: This category is subjective; however, the judge should take into account prior category scores, aesthetic appeal, presentation, intuitive response, and other such items not previously addressed. Keep in mind that this entry is at Intermediate Level, regardless of the skill of the entrant..
DOCUMENTATION (0-4 points)
- 0:No documentation or very inaccurate documentation.
- 1:Minimum information (time, place, style, design source).
- 2:Same as #1 plus more detail on techniques used and at least one visual reference (photocopy, photo, etc.) to design source. Specifies source of chart.
- 3:Same as #2 plus rationale for layout of motifs and stitches used.
- 4:#3 plus listing of tools and materials; complete discussion of techniques; rationale for relation of embroidery to intended purpose of item; explanation of any deviations or variations from period norms.
AUTHENTICITY (0-4 points) Consider item, thread, ground, stitches, colors.
- 0:Non-period item such as blue jeans, tea cozy, backpack; OR other blatant modernity such as machine embroidery or blatantly modern materials.
- 1:Generally period but with obvious non-period elements: e.g. an SCA-specific piece (ribbon favor, etc.), questionable design, stitches, etc.; OR obvious mixture of elements from different periods or cultures.
- 2:Overall period effect with minor inconsistencies; materials are period (linen, silk, wool) or reasonable equivalent.
- 3:Period piece; no inconsistencies.
- 4:Special effort to achieve completely period effect by using period design, materials, tools, techniques, etc.; elements consistent to each other.
COMPLEXITY (0-6 points) Rank the ambition of the attempt, NOT the workmanship, on a scale of 0 to 6 based on the following:
- difficulty of motifs (e.g. geometric pattern is easier than human figure)
- design (how are motifs combined
- difficulty of materials used (e.g. velvet, metallics, etc. are harder)
- difficulty of stitches and techniques (e.g. needlepoint - 1, cross-stitch- 2, cut-and-drawn or intricate blackwork filler - 6)
- variety of elements/motifs/stitches/techniques
- charting (if prepared chart was used unchanged, average in 0)
- scope of project (size in relation to detail)
WORKMANSHIP (0-6 points) Rank the success of the attempt on a scale of O to 6 based on the following.
- evenness (especially on geometric designs)
- neatness
- starts and ends
- tension
- uniformity (in density, stitch length, etc.)
- finishing of piece (hemming, applique, etc.)
CREATIVITY (0-4 points)
- 0:Piece illogical in context of period.
- 1:Exact copy of design from a non-counted-threat source.
- 2:Logical combination of several copied elements.
- 3:Logical, original combination of traditional motifs.
- 4:Original, innovative combination of period materials, techniques, and designs, with personalizing touches, all in a manner logical to chosen period and purpose of item.
QUALITY (1-6 points)
Evaluate the work as a whole. NOTE: This category is subjective; however, the judge should take into account prior category scores, aesthetic appeal, presentation, intuitive response, and other such items not previously addressed.