Embroidery, Counted Thread

Atlantia A&S Criteria

Includes styles such as cross-stitch, Assist, blackwork, needlepoint, cut-and-drawn. Approved SCA heraldic devices will be considered period if heraldry was used in the period of the entry.

Information also available as PDF.


DOCUMENTATION (0-30 points. SCORE 0-10 then MULTIPLY BY 3):

Must have at least “EZ Doc” information. More is acceptable, although one or two pages (not counting visuals and bibliography) should be more than enough. If your documentation is more than three pages for exceptionally detailed and in-depth work, you should provide an executive summary. The best documentation will cover what they did in period, what the creator did in the project, and why the difference (if any). It will explain any conscious compromises made, and provide footnotes, illustrations, and references, as well as any original research or experimentation as it applies to the project. Give score based on the following considerations:

  • A minimum of: what it is, where is it from, when is it from, and references;
  • Materials used in the project;
  • Techniques and tools used during the process;
  • Research (country, period of origin, typical characteristics, etc), visual and descriptive references to design source (books, portraits, etc.) from reliable sources;
  • Artistic design, rationale for layout of motifs and stitches, relation of embroidery to intended purpose of item.

AUTHENTICITY (0-20 points) [SCORE 0-10 and then DOUBLE THE SCORE]:

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;
  • 1-2: Generally period but with obvious non-period elements: e.g. an SCA-specific piece (ribbon favor, etc.), questionable design, stitches, etc.;
  • 3-4: Generally period but obvious mixture of elements from different periods or cultures;
  • 5-6: Overall period effect with minor inconsistencies; materials are period (linen, silk, wool) or reasonable equivalent;
  • 7-8: Period piece; no inconsistencies;
  • 9-10:Special effort to achieve completely period effect by using period design, materials, tools, techniques, etc.; elements consistent to each other.

COMPLEXITY (1-10 points):

Rank the ambition of the entry, not the workmanship, scale of 1-10 considering the following:

  • Difficulty of motifs (e.g. geometric pattern is easier than human figure);
  • Design (how are motifs combined);
  • Difficulty of working the materials used (e.g. velvet, metallics, etc. are harder than simple linen);
  • Difficulty of stitches and techniques;
  • Variety of elements/motifs/stitches/techniques;
  • Charting (if prepared chart was used unchanged, complexity cannot be above 5);
  • Scope of project (size in relation to detail).

WORKMANSHIP (3-30 points. SCORE 1-10 then MULTIPLY BY 3):

Rank the quality of execution and success of the entry on a scale 1-10, considering the following:

  • Evenness (especially on geometric designs);
  • Neatness;
  • Starts and ends and tension;
  • Uniformity (in density, stitch length, etc.);
  • Finishing of piece (hemming, applique, etc.);
  • Embellishment for personal use.

OVERALL IMPRESSION (1-10 points):

Evaluate the work as a whole, rating the complete effect and appeal beyond the mere technical proficiency. Consider how you react to the entry (intuitive response) and other items not previously addressed.