Category includes network or laces, needle laces such as reticella, punto in aria, rose point, gros point, bobbin lace, sprang, macrame, and woven laces. It does not include cut-and-drawn (see Counted Thread Embroidery) or tatting (not used in period; period tatting was just rings, no chains or picots). Also out of period: pointe d'angleterre, valenciennes, laceknitting and lace crochet. Examples of items: ruffs, collars, cuffs, boot tops, decollates, table and bed covers, borders, samplers, hats, etc.

DOCUMENTATION (0-4 points) Best sources are reprints of period lace pattern books, or existing pieces. Victorian lace history books are very unreliable.
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.
• Lists style and design source.
• 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 modern or Victorian clothing; OR type of lace out of period; OR other blatant modernity (in design, color, etc.).
• 1:Type of lace is period, but with obvious out-of-period elements (e.g. obviously modern design or materials, materials wrong for the design or intended use, etc.);
• 2:Type of lace is period, but with obvious mixture of elements from different periods.
• 3:Basically period-looking, with few inconsistencies.
• 4:Period piece; no or minor inconsistencies.

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 stitches and techniques
• difficulty of pattern(s)
• variety of elements/patterns/stitches/techniques
• difficulty of materials used
• scope of effort (size of piece in relation to fineness of detail)

• evenness (especially in geometric designs, repeating patterns)
• neatness
• starts and ends
• tension
• uniformity (in density, stitch length, etc.)
• finishing of piece

• 1:Piece illogical in context of period.
• 2:Exact copy of design from other than lace source.
• 3:Exact copy of design from lace source.
• 4:Logical combination of several copied elements.
• 5:Logical original combination of traditional motifs.
• 6:Original, innovative combination of period materials, techniques, and designs, with personalizing touches, all in a manner logical to chosen period and purpose of item.

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.

DOCUMENTATION (0-4 points) Best sources are reprints of period lace pattern books, or existing pieces. Victorian lace history books are very unreliable.

• 1:Very inaccurate documentation.
• 2:Minimum information (time, place, style, design source).
• 3:Same as #2 plus more detail on techniques used and at least one visual reference (Photocopy, photo, etc.) for period patterns or pieces.
• 4:Same as #3 plus rationale for relationship among design elements.

• 0:Non-period item such as modern or Victorian clothing; OR type of lace out of period; OR other blatant modernity (in design, color, etc.).
• 1:Type of lace is period, but with obvious out-of-period elements (e.g. obviously modern design or materials, materials wrong for the design or intended use, etc.);
• 2:Type of lace is period, but with obvious mixture of elements from different periods.
• 3:Basically period-looking, with few inconsistencies.
• 4:Period piece; no or minor inconsistencies.

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 stitches and techniques
• difficulty of pattern(s)
• variety of elements/patterns/stitches/techniques
• difficulty of materials used
• scope of effort (size of piece in relation to fineness of detail)

• evenness (especially in geometric designs, repeating patterns)
• neatness
• starts and ends
• tension
• uniformity (in density, stitch length, etc.)
• finishing of piece

• 1:Piece illogical in context of period.
• 2:Exact copy of design from other than lace source.
• 3:Logical combination of several copied elements.
• 4:Logical combination of traditional motifs OR original, innovative combination of period materials, techniques, and designs, with personalizing touches, all in a manner logical to chosen period and purpose of item.

. 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.

• 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.) for period patterns or pieces.
• 3:Same as #2 plus rationale for relationship among design elements.
• 4:#3 plus discussion of tools, materials, and techniques; rationale for relationship of lacework to intended purpose of item; explanation of any deviations or variations from period norms.

• 0:Non-period item such as modern or Victorian clothing; OR type of lace out of period; OR other blatant modernity (in design, color, etc.).
• 1:Type of lace is period, but with obvious out-of-period elements (e.g. obviously modern design or materials, materials wrong for the design or intended use, etc.); OR obvious mixture of elements from different periods.
• 2:Basically period-looking, with minor inconsistencies.
• 3:Period piece; no inconsistencies.
• 4:Special effort taken for complete authenticity (i.e. spun own silk or linen thread; carved own bobbins, etc.)

• difficulty of stitches and techniques
• difficulty of pattern(s)
• variety of elements/patterns/stitches/techniques
• difficulty of materials used
• scope of effort (size of piece in relation to fineness of detail)

• evenness (especially in geometric designs, repeating patterns)
• neatness
• starts and ends
• tension
• uniformity (in density, stitch length, etc.)
• finishing of piece

• 0:Piece illogical in context of period.
• 1:Exact copy of design from an item done in a different craft.
• 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.

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.