Sewing & Needlework - Garments - Single Item

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.

Garment entries will be separated when dropped off at registration into beginner and advanced categories for judging based upon the pattern, garment elements, fabric type, difficulty level, etc. This category will no longer be entered based upon age. Four entries per school are allowed for both of the Garment: Single Item and Garment: Coordinating Outfit categories regardless of beginner or advanced status.

Requirements:

• Entries must meet all General Arts & Crafts and all General Sewing & Needlework Qualifications with the exception of size.
• Contestants must make girls’/ladies' garments only and must not receive help on their projects other than instructions.
• All fashions must meet the PILOTS Convention Ladies’ Appearance dress requirements. (Please do not submit miniskirts, slacks, pantsuits, shorts, bathing suits, sleepwear, slits in skirts/dresses, form-fitting skirts/blouses, or garments with low necklines. Thin or see-through fabrics, including lace, must be fully lined with opaque material.) See the appearance guidelines.
• If a garment is a compilation of several patterns, the pieces used from each pattern should be submitted with the entry.
• The pattern with detailed notations should be placed in a plastic zippered bag and attached to the garment hanger for judging purposes.
• Students must also include an index card with their pattern stating which category (Single Item or Coordinating Outfit) and what items are included with their entry. No school or student name identifying information should be included.
• Garment Categories Available:
  • Garment: Single Item (Beginner & Advanced)
    • Blouse or Shirt
    • Skirt or Culottes
    • Blazer or Jacket
  • Garment: Coordinating Outfit (Beginner & Advanced)
    • Skirt with Blouse or Blazer
    • Culottes with Shirt
    • Jumper with Jacket, Shirt, Blazer, or Sweater
    • Dress: church dress, casual dress, or formal dress

(sweater or jacket optional if modest sleeves are included)

All pieces must be sewn completely by the participant without assistance beyond instruction, direction, tips, or suggestions.

Tips:

• Seam finishes are judged according to the work involved as well as neatness.

Higher points will be received for more difficult finishes.

• A proper finish should be used pertaining to the type of material used (i.e. wools may be bound, crepes need French seams, etc.).
• Zigzag machine-stitched, serged, and pinked seam finishes are the easiest and will receive the fewest points.
• Pressing while sewing is very important. Even if a garment becomes slightly wrinkled enroute to PILOTS, the correct pressing of each part as assembled will be evident to the judges.
• Bound buttonholes will receive higher points than machine buttonholes.

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).