Sewing & Needlework - Cross Stitch

A young lady can use her sewing and needlework skills to be a great blessing to her church and her home. We at PILOTS Convention want to encourage young ladies to learn these skills by entering and competing in the following Arts & Crafts events.

General Sewing & Needlework Qualifications

• Entries must meet all General Arts & Crafts Qualifications.
• High points are given for neatness, cleanliness, uniformity, and precision.
• All sewing categories are for female contestants only.
• The qualities the judges look for are originality and careful attention to details.
• Projects must be completely finished to be eligible, or they will be disqualified.
• The pattern may be purchased or original and must be included with the project.
• Students must bring their pattern and a plastic zippered bag to hold the pattern. Please attach the bag to the hanger of the sewn garments; please attach it with a safety pin to any other entries or secure it to the back of the frame as applicable.
• It must be notated in detail on the pattern what is done as well as what was added, changed, etc.
• The contestant is encouraged to be creative and vary from the pattern and may receive higher points for doing so. If this is done, the differences should be explained by being noted on the pattern. Points can be given for originality, but no points can be given if the pattern is not submitted and notated.
• All entries must be completed by the participant without assistance beyond instruction, direction, tips, or suggestions.
• No sewing entries should attempt to portray the face or image of Christ.
• Christian appearance is a must in all entries.
• Contestants are allowed to submit one entry per category.
• Be sure to enter the project in the correct category. Once an entry is registered at PILOTS, it must remain in that category even if it is in the wrong category.
• For judging criteria please see form ACF8-9 through form ACF14 (shown on each event's page).

Checklist

• Neither the contestant's name nor the school name should appear anywhere on the entry.
• The entry will be given a number and a corresponding label during registration.

• Entries must meet all General Arts & Crafts and all General Sewing & Needlework Qualifications. Cross stitch will be judged separately from embroidery/crewel.
• Counted cross stitch and embroidery/crewel pictures must be framed and with the back accessible for judging. (They may be framed with the hoop it was stitched in.) Mats are not considered frames, but may be added to enhance the entry. Any other needlework entries need not be framed.
• The project pattern may be purchased or original and must be included with the project. The pattern should be placed in a plastic zippered bag and pinned or attached to the project or frame.
• Cross Stitch
• No stamped cross stitch (with a design or key pre-printed on the fabric) will be accepted, or they will be disqualified.
• Examples of counted cross stitch: tablecloths, place mats, pictures, samplers, etc.
• Embroidery & Crewel
• Embroidery definition - decorating fabric with embroidery floss or thread.
• "Punch and sew" embroidery will not be accepted; it will be disqualified. Only regular embroidery will be judged.
• Examples: scarves, pillowcases, tablecloths, hand towels, place mats, borders for skirts, pillows, pictures, samplers, etc.
• Crewel definition - decorating fabric using mostly wool yarn or thread.
• Examples: pictures, chair covers, pillows, etc.

Tips:

• The back should be as smooth and neat as the front so that it can withstand wear and laundering. Knots or loose threads that aren't part of the design can pull the stitches out of place.
• When framing, please be mindful of if the glass placed over the design distorts the embroidery stitching.

General Arts & Crafts Qualifications for All Entries

• Entries must be the sole work of the student. Students are encouraged to draw from their own ideas for subject matter and composition.
• Only new artwork/projects will be acceptable.
• Entries must meet all PILOTS Convention standards as far as dress codes and suitable subject matter are concerned.
• All entries must be done in a realistic style. Abstract styles or surrealism will not be accepted.
• Pre-packaged and/or pre-cut craft items such as miniature toys, models, picture frames, bookends, belt buckles, etc. are not acceptable.
• No entry may exceed forty pounds in weight or exceed more than thirty-six inches in any direction or it will be disqualified.
• No entry should attempt to portray the face or image of Christ.

Transportation

• All contestants are responsible for the packaging, transporting, and proper handling of their own artwork.
• The PILOTS staff is not responsible for entries that are lost, stolen, or damaged.

Checklist

• Entries must arrive for judging in satisfactory exhibition condition.
• The contestant’s name or school name should not appear anywhere on their entry but should include the entry title if applicable. The entry will be given a number and a corresponding label during registration.
• The artwork must be entered in the correct category. Once an entry is submitted, it must stay in that category even if it is the wrong category.

Judging

• For judging criteria, please see form ACF1-2 through form ACF4-7 for Arts & Crafts (Metalworking, Woodworking, Flower Arranging, Oil/Acrylic, Watercolor, Sketching, Pen & Ink). For Arts & Crafts: Sewing & Needlework, please see form ACF8-9 through form ACF14 (shown on each event's page).