NEEDLEWORK, MISCELLANEOUS
(Revised 1/98)

Includes styles such as couching, trapunto, applique, smocking, quilting, beadwork. Approved SCA heraldic devices will be considered period if heraldry was used in the period of the embroidered piece.

Novice Intermediate Advanced
NEEDLEWORK, MISCELLANEOUS - NOVICE

DOCUMENTATION (0-4 points)

AUTHENTICITY (0-4 points)

COMPLEXITY (1-5 points) Rank the ambition of the entry, not the workmanship, on a scale of 1-5 based on the following:

WORKMANSHIP (1-5 points) Rank the success of the entry on a scale of 1-5 based on the following:

CREATIVITY (1-6 points) Give score based on the following:

QUALITY (1-6 points)


NEEDLEWORK, MISCELLANEOUS - INTERMEDIATE

DOCUMENTATION (0-4 points)

AUTHENTICITY (0-4 points)

  1. 0:Out of period (machine embroidery)
  2. 1:Out of period but shows some knowledge of period techniques
  3. 2:Gives appearance of period piece even with flaws in execution and inconsistencies in stitches and/or design
  4. 3:Minor flaws and inconsistencies but with knowledge of correct methods demonstrated
  5. 4:Period effect achieved with no major flaws and minor flaws explained in the documentation

    COMPLEXITY (1-5 points) Rank the ambition of the entry, NOT the workmanship, on a scale of 1-5, based on the following:

    • Pattern ( single geometric to more complex)
    • Variety ( one color, one stitch type, single motif to more of the above)
    • Materials ( cotton, silk, wools, linen, metallics)
    • Technique (simple to complex)
    • Scope ( single row of garb trim - easiest, to more complex project)

    WORKMANSHIP (1-5 points) Rank the success of the entry, on a scale of 1-5, 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:Worked from a period charted design with no personalization
    • 2:Worked from a period charted design adapted and modified by entrant or worked from a photo of a period piece
    • 3:Worked from a period design not originally in needlework but adapted to medium from another; example: an illumination
    • 4:Original design in style of given period; use of stitches, colors and design elements must be supported by necessary documentation

    QUALITY (1-8 points)

    • 1-2: Basic design concept appears to lack planning; colors and materials do not work well together
    • 3-4: Design and type of stitches inappropriate to purpose of item
    • 5-6: Better cohesion among design, colors and materials; seems to suit period better
    • 7-8: Whole project hangs together well; gives feeling of being difficult to improve upon.
    NEEDLEWORK, MISCELLANEOUS - ADVANCED

    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 lease one visual reference (Photocopy, photo, etc.) of design source.
    • 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: Ex: 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 entry, not the workmanship, on a scale of 0-6 based on the following:

    • difficulty of motifs (Ex: geometric pattern is easier than human figure)
    • design (how are motifs combined)
    • difficulty of materials used (Ex: velvet, metallics, etc. are harder)
    • difficulty of stitches and techniques used (suggested order of complexity, easy to hard: beadwork, quilting, smocking, applique, trapunto, couched gold)
    • variety of elements/motifs/stitches/techniques
    • scope of project (adze in relation to detail)

    WORKMANSHIP (0-6 points) ) Rank the success of the entry on a scale of 0-6 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 with minor changes (Ex: different stitches or colors).
    • 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.

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