Needle Craft and Stitchery

Refer to “Basic Arts and Crafts Standards” located at the beginning of this section. Crocheting, embroidery (including counted cross stitch and candlewicking), creative stitchery, and quilts.

1. General Appearance

a. Clean and neat.

b. Properly blocked and pressed, not matted, not flat, but have the natural “luster look” of the fabric.

c. Color combination – harmonize, pleasing, has rhythmic unity that is interesting.

d. Design placed accurately.

e. When there are decorative lines, they should strengthen the shape of the article, be suited to the purpose of the article and show simplicity and dignity.

f. Material used is suitable for the project and article.

2. Workmanship

a. Stitches – tension uniform and even, not too tight or too loose; stitches and color arranged harmoniously and enough stitches used to give variety.

b. Needlework on wrong side is as neat as the right side. Start thread on wrong side with a few running stitches toward starting point and take a back stitch. Finished in same manner. Do not carry thread from one design to another.

c. Cross stitch – all first stitches slant the same direction throughout the design.

Crocheting

a. General Appearance

- Purpose of article must be apparent.

- Article must be properly shaped or blocked.

- Article must be clean and attractive.

- Color scheme must be pleasing and appropriate.

b. Workmanship

- Stitches to be uniform in size and form a well-defined pattern.

- Size of crochet hook, thread and type must be suited to the project.

- Gauge must be accurate; tension should be uniform.

Embroidery, Crewel Stitchery, Needlepoint, and Hardanger

a. Materials used should be suitable for the design, type of stitchery and for intended use.

b. Design suited to the item on which it is used and not to interfere with intended use of article.

c. Design should not include too much detail or too many colors.

d. Stitches and colors should be arranged harmoniously.

e. Tension should be even in stitches, no evidence of puckers in finished article.

f. General appearance is neat, workmanship on back side should be almost as neat as on the design side, clean, and a pressed finished look.

g. If exhibit is framed, workmanship should be evaluated without removing frame, backing or hoop.

Knitting

a. General Appearance

- Clean and neat.

- Properly blocked.

- Buttons – second in interest, proper size for garment.

- Pattern uniform.

- Garment size accurate.

- Color combination pleasing and appropriate.

- Selection – yarn suitable for garment and size of needles; type suitable for age/ person.

- Notions of suitable size, type and color.

- End product suitable for intended use.

b. Workmanship – knitting skills

- Cast-on stitches – have elasticity

- Bound-off stitches – uniform

- Gauge accurate (correct number of stitches per inch).

- Tension – uniform throughout the article.

- Needle/hook size correct for type of stitch used.

- Free of mistakes or split yarn/thread.

- Edges straight and correctly shaped for style.

- Corresponding selections match in size and shape.

- Yarn ends well concealed – spliced, worked into seams with no knots.

- Change from one color to another not noticeable.

- Uniform construction details (button holes, fringes, etc.).

- Seams and joinings free of puckers and bulk.