Needle and Thread Division
Needle and Thread Division
All categories are for FEMALE contestants only. Contestants must make girls’/ladies’ garments. No children’s garments are permitted, except in crochet and knitting. Contestants are allowed to submit one entry per category and must not receive help on their projects other than instructions.
All fashions must meet A.C.E. dress requirements. Do not submit miniskirts, slacks, pantsuits, shorts, bathing suits, sleepwear, or garments with low necklines. Slits in skirts/dresses must meet the A.C.E. dress standard - slit no higher than the bottom of the knee. These rules also apply to the subjects used in Needlework entries. Thin or "see-through" fabrics must be fully lined WITH OPAQUE MATERIAL; LACE MATERIAL IS SEE-THROUGH.
No Needle/Thread entry should attempt to portray the face or image of Christ.
Please note: Latch-hook is not allowed. Projects must be completely finished to be eligible.
The contestant is encouraged to be creative and vary from the pattern. If this is done, the differences should be explained on the Needle/Thread Report (CF49). Points are given for originality.
ALL NEEDLE/THREAD ENTRIES MUST HAVE BEEN STARTED AFTER THE
TERMINATION OF THE PREVIOUS INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION. Exception:
Quilts - see Quilts under NEEDLEWORK for more information.
Checklist for Needle and Thread:
1. Pattern (only those pieces used).
2. Needle/Thread Report (CF49).
3. Judge's Forms - Three (3) copies with name, school, customer number, address, and entry (FOR REGIONAL CONVENTION ONLY).
4. A 3" x 5" card MUST be attached to each piece of the entry with the following information: print or type the student's name, school name, customer number, school address, city, state/province, ZIP/Postal Code, and category entered.
5. Plastic bag to hold pattern, Needle/Thread Report, and Judge's Forms. (JUDGE'S FORMS FOR REGIONAL CONVENTION ONLY.) Attach bag to hanger of garments. Attach with safety pin to Needlework entry, or secure to back of frame as applicable.
6. A COLOR PHOTOGRAPH OF GARMENT BEING MODELED. (This does not apply to
Needlecraft items such as sweaters.)
Note to Sponsor: Be sure the contestant enters her project in the correct category. Review the Judge's Forms to see where points are given and make sure that the entry includes each point.
Seam finishes are judged according to the work involved as well as neatness. Christian appearance is a must in all entries.
GARMENTS
1. Coordinates - Two pieces only. Select one of the combinations: skirt and blouse; jumper and blouse; two-piece dress; or culottes and blouse. Use appropriate fabric for coordinates.
2. Dresses - church dresses, casual dresses, tailored dresses one piece only, materials used must meet A.C.E. guidelines.
3. Formals - full-length (to the shoe top) dress or fancy blouse and skirt combination. No uneven hems. The hems may be altered after competition to tea length or uneven hems if the student prefers those styles. (Materials used must be A.C.E. guidelines.)
4. Coats/Suits - raincoats and overcoats must be three-fourths (3/4) or dress length (NO JACKETS) and fully lined. The three-fourth length coat is to be just below the fingertips when the arms are held straight down at the sides. Suits (2 piece minimum) should meet A.C.E. dress requirements and be fully lined. A portion of the lining on all garments in this category must be left open for judging.
NO SERGED SEAMS on garments. There is no way to judge a serged seam against a hand/machine finished seam. NOTE: Serging may be used to finish a seam, as you would use a zig-zag stitch. See Hints from the Needle/Thread Judges.
NEEDLECRAFT
1. Counted Cross-Stitch - No stamped cross-stitch will be accepted. Pictures must be framed without glass. The back of all work must be accessible for judging. Example: tablecloths, place mats, pictures, samplers.
2. Embroidery - Decorating fabric with embroidery floss or thread. The back of all work must be accessible for judging. Pictures must be framed without glass. No counted crossstitch, see "Counted Cross-Stitch" category. "Punch and sew" embroidery will not be accepted. Only regular "needle and thread" embroidery will be judged. Examples: scarves, pillowcases, tablecloths, hand towels, borders for skirts, pillows, pictures, samplers.
3. Crochet - Examples: baby afghans (no dimension smaller than 36 inches and no dimension larger than 48 inches), shawls, tablecloths, bedspreads, dresses, sweaters, baby garment sets (sweater, cap, mittens, or booties).
4. Knitting - Machine knitting not allowed. Examples: baby afghans (no dimension smaller than 36 inches and no dimension larger than 48 inches), shawls, tablecloths, bedspreads, dresses, sweaters, baby garment sets (sweater, cap, mittens, or booties).
5. Afghans - Afghans may be either crocheted or knitted. No baby afghans in this category. Minimum size is 50" x 70"
6. Quilts - May be machine or hand constructed. (Hand constructed quilts will receive higher points.) Minimum size is 50" x 70". Quilts must have been started and completed within fifteen months of Regional Convention and must not have been entered in any other contest. See Hints from the Needle/Thread Judges.
HINTS FROM THE NEEDLE/THREAD JUDGES
The qualities the judges look for are originality and careful attention to details. High points are given for neatness, cleanliness, uniformity, and precision (finishing for presentation).
GARMENTS: Be creative. Fit your pattern to meet your body shape and size, and the color should be appropriate for your personal color palette. It is very important to be modest. Pay close attention to where seams, buttons, decorations, necklines, and hemlines are positioned.
Use the right size and type needle for your chosen material. Remove all gathering and staystitching.
Grade all seams and top stitch facings. Blind hemstitch all hems, hiding as much of
the stitching as possible. Attach hooks and eyes as smoothly as possible (no bulky stitches).
Smooth sewing adds points in two areas, “Hand Stitching” and “Overall Beauty.” Finish seams, even those under your lining. (A portion of the lining must be left open for judging).
Higher points will be received for the more difficult seam finishes. A proper seam finish should be used according to the type of material. Wools are usually bound, crepes need French seams.
Zigzag and pinked seam finishes are the easiest and will receive the least points. Serging is only allowed for finishing. Pressing as you sew is very important. Even though a garment is slightly wrinkled en route to the Convention, the correct pressing of each part as it is assembled will be evident to the judges. Bound buttonholes, where appropriate, will receive higher points than machine buttonholes. Cover all shoulder pads. Try to stay away from “key hole” openings.
Replace them with buttons and buttonholes or a zipper. Choose appropriate fabric and pattern for the category.
NEEDLEWORK: It is best not to have any knots or loose ends. When working with an even number of threads, you may cut your thread twice the length needed, fold in half, thread loose ends through eye of needle, bring needle up from back side of fabric, go down and catch loop end of thread with needle. Now you have started your work without knots or loose ends. To tie off without knots, simply hide ends in same color thread as previous stitches.
When framing your needlework picture, DO NOT PUT GLASS in the frame. The glass distorts stitches and makes judging difficult.
QUILTS: Quilting stitches (the stitches that go through all layers of the quilt) are what the judges are looking for. “Tying” is very easy, and cannot compare to actual “quilting.” Handquilting will receive higher points than machine-quilting.
BEADWORK
GENERAL GUIDELINES
All categories are for female contestants only. Contestants must not receive help on their projects other than instructions. Use the Progress Control Form (CF9). Contestants are allowed to submit one entry per category.
No beadwork entry should attempt to portray the face or image of Christ or God.
Projects must be completely finished to be eligible.
The contestant is encouraged to be creative and to vary from the pattern. If this is done, the differences should be explained. Points are given for originality.
The contestant may use round/oval glass/plastic shiny/opaque beads of different sizes, pearls, fake gems, squared beads (“rubka” or “steclyarus”), crystals. Wooden beads are not recommended.
The beadwork must be done using threads, plastic string, or metallic wire of appropriate color and size.
For necklaces, earrings, clips and broaches the metal jewelry findings/fittings like hooks, pins, connecting rings, locks and etc. are used.
The contestant may use one of the following techniques (cross-beading, parallel beading, “brick” beading, “double brick ” beading, circle or French beading, mosaic beading), or a combination of techniques. If so, it must be mentioned in Beadwork Report Form. No wrist or ankle bracelets are allowed.
Jewelry sets - two, three or four pieces. Select one of the combinations: necklace, earrings/ clips; necklace, headpiece; necklace, broach; necklace, earrings/ clips, headpiece; necklace, earrings/ clips, broach; necklace, earrings/ clips, headpiece, broach. The pieces must be interchangeable (of the same style, design and materials).
Decorative beading - decorating vases, chests, glasses with beads or making decorative vases with flowers, napkin rings (sets of 6 only), purses, kaboshons. Small bead faces and figures are not permitted.
Beaded eggs - decorating wooden eggs and stands for eggs with beads.
For judging criteria, see Beadwork Judge’s Form.
Check List for Beadwork:
1. Color pattern (only those pieces used).
2. Progress Control Form (CF9).
3. Needle/Thread Report (CF49).
4. Judge’s Forms – Three (3) copies with name, school, customer number, address, and entry.
5. A 3’’x 5’’ card MUST be attached to each piece of the entry with the following information: print or type the student’s name, school name, customer number, school address, state, ZIP, and category entered.
6. Plastic bag to hold pattern, Progress Control Form, Beadwork Report, and Judge’s Forms. Place Progress Control Form on top so name and entry are visible at a glance.
7. A color photograph of the beadwork being worked out.
Note to Sponsor: Be sure the contestant enters his/her project in the correct category. Review the Judge’s Forms to see where points are given and make sure that the entry includes each point.
HINTS FROM THE BEADWORK JUDGES
The qualities the judges look for are originality and careful attention to details.
Judges Form Coordinates Dresses Formals
Judges Form Counted Cross Stitch Embroidery