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Needle & Thread Guidelines
Each school is allowed to enter an unlimited number of participation, female only, per Division. THIS IS FOR FEMALE PARTICIPANTS ONLY.
Contestants are allowed to submit one entry per category and must not receive help on their projects other than instructions.
Please bring TWO copies of the appropriate Judge’s Form for each entry submitted at Convention. Each form should be filled out with the student’s information. If the Judge’s Form is not filled out, the entry may not be judged.
All fashions must meet Student Convention Guidelines. Do not submit miniskirts, slacks, pantsuits, shorts, bathing suits, sleepwear, or garments with low necklines. 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. Points are given for originality.
All Needle / Thread entries must have been started after the end of the previous Student Convention and work on the project must be entirely by the student.
Checklist for Needle and Thread:
Pattern (only those pieces used)
Needle / Thread Report stating how much the student was helped
Judge’s Forms – two copies with name and division as well as the church name they are registered under
A 3x5 card must be attached to each piece of the entry with the following information: print or type the student’s name and division along with the church name they are registered under
Needle / Thread Report, and Judge’s Forms should be attached to the garment. Attach with safety pin to Needlework entry, or secure to back of frame as applicable.
Sponsors: be sure each participant enters her project in the correct category. Review the Judge’s Form 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
Coordinates – two-piece only. Select one of the combinations: skirt and blouse; jumper and blouse; two-piece dress; or culottes and blouse.
Dresses – church dresses, casual dresses, tailored dresses; one-piece only
Coats / Suits – raincoats and overcoats must be ¾ or dress length and fully lined. The ¾ length coat is to be just below the fingertips when the arms are held straight down at the sides. 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.
COORDINATES / DRESSES JUDGING CRITERIA (Download PDF)
| Areas of Evaluation | Possible Points |
|---|---|
| Meets Convention Guidelines appearance | (1-10) |
| Pattern and photograph submitted | (1-5) |
| Creativity – pattern changes, colour changes, originality | (1-10) |
| Overall beauty – coordination of colours and accessories (such as buttons and bows), matching of plaids, etc. | (1-10) |
| Stitching – machine and hand | (1-15) |
| Seam finish | (1-10) |
| Zipper, buttonholes, or fastenings | (1-10) |
| Sleeve set and detail | (1-5) |
| Collar / neckline detail | (1-10) |
| Hem detail | (1-10) |
| Proper documentation submitted | (1-5) |
| TOTAL POINTS | (100) |
COATS / SUITS JUDGING CRITERIA (Download PDF)
| Areas of Evaluation | Possible Points |
|---|---|
| Pattern and photograph submitted | (1-5) |
| Creativity – pattern changes, colour changes, originality | (1-10) |
| Overall beauty – coordination of colours and accessories (such as buttons and bows), matching of plaids, etc. | (1-10) |
| Stitching – machine and hand | (1-10) |
| Seam finish | (1-10) |
| Buttonholes, zippers, or fastenings | (1-10) |
| Sleeve set and detail | (1-10) |
| Collar / neckline detail | (1-10) |
| Sleeve set and detail | (1-10) |
| Collar / neckline detail | (1-10) |
| Hem detail | (1-5) |
| Lining and interface | (1-10) |
| Proper documentation submitted | (1-5) |
| Meets Convention Guidelines | (1-5) |
| TOTAL POINTS | (100) |
NEEDLECRAFT
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. Examples: tablecloths, place mats, pictures, samplers.
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 cross-stitch is allowed. “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.
Crochet – examples: baby afghans (no smaller than 36” and no larger than 48”), shawls, tablecloths, bedspreads, dresses, sweaters, baby garment sets (sweater, cap, mittens, or booties).
Knitting – machine knitting is NOT allowed. Examples: baby afghans (no smaller than 36” and no larger than 48”), shawls, tablecloths, bedspreads, dresses, sweaters, baby garment sets (sweater, cap, mittens, or booties).
Afghans – may be either crocheted or knitted. No baby afghans in this category. Minimum size: 50” x 70”.
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 between the end of the last Convention and the beginning of the current Convention.
Crafts – these may be hand or machine constructed. Examples: aprons, scarves, shopping, bag, pillow covers, wall hanging, dolls and doll clothes, teddy bears.
COUNTED CROSS-STITCH AND EMBROIDERY JUDGING CRITERIA (Download PDF)
| Areas of Evaluation | Possible Points |
|---|---|
| Pattern submitted | (1-5) |
| Creativity – pattern changes, colour changes, originality | (1-20) |
| Overall beauty | (1-15) |
| Technique – difficulty and variety of stitches | (1-15) |
| Uniformity of stitches | (1-20) |
| Finishing – thread ends secured, preferably no knots | (1-10) |
| Blocking | (1-10) |
| Proper documentation submitted | (1-5) |
| TOTAL POINTS | (100) |
CROCHET, KNITTING, AFGHANS, & CRAFTS JUDGING CRITERIA (Download PDF)
| Areas of Evaluation | Possible Points |
|---|---|
| Pattern submitted | (1-5) |
| Creativity – pattern changes, colour changes, originality | (1-10) |
| Overall beauty | (1-10) |
| Technique – difficulty and variety of stitches | (1-15) |
| Uniformity of stitches | (1-15) |
| Gauge | (1-10) |
| Finishing – thread ends secured, preferably no knots | (1-10) |
| Blocking | (1-10) |
| Proper documentation submitted | (1-5) |
| Meets Convention Guidelines | (1-10) |
| TOTAL POINTS | (100) |
QUILTS JUDGING CRITERIA (Download PDF)
| Areas of Evaluation | Possible Points |
|---|---|
| Pattern submitted | (1-5) |
| Creativity – pattern changes, colour changes, originality | (1-15) |
| Overall beauty | (1-15) |
| Quilt top | (1-20) |
| Quilting stitches – uniformity, size, hand or machine stitching goes through all layers of quilt | (1-20) |
| Size – meets Convention Guidelines | (1-10) |
| Finishing for presentation | (1-10) |
| Proper documentation submitted | (1-5) |
| TOTAL POINTS | (100) |
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 colour should be appropriate for your personal colour 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 enroute 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 “keyhole” 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 colour 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: The Judges are looking for “quilting stitches” (the stitches that go through all the layers of the quilt). “Tying” is very easy, and cannot compare to actual “quilting.” Hand-quilting will receive higher points than machine-quilting.