Fiber arts contest rules
The focus of the Fiber Arts competition at Shepherds Extravaganza is to showcase the natural beauty of wool and the talent of the many local artists that work with it.
This show supports our local wool and fiber production industry through the special acknowledgment of items made from a “Shepherd’s Extravaganza” purchased fleece.
General Information:
Entered items are judged by an NWRSA Certified Judge using the NWRSA Judging criteria.
Please “pre-register” by filling out entry form with descriptions and number of entries to allow planning for display space and Judging time. (Entry form is the same form that you would use to register for classes.)
Unless prior arrangements are made with the Fiber Arts Superintendent:
Items to be judged must be delivered to the Fiber Arts Booth in the “J” Barn on Wednesday, April 19th between 5:30-8:30 pm.
Items may be picked up in the Fiber Arts booth in the “J” Barn on Sunday April 23rd between 6-8 pm. Items will not be released prior to this time.
If the entrant is unable to pick up their items they may designate another person to pick them up at the time of entry, or may send a written, signed, note complete with a telephone number with the person they are requesting their items be released to.
Any items unclaimed more than 30 days may be donated to charity.
A Liability Disclaimer releasing Shepherd’s Extravaganza from loss or damage to the items must be signed by the entrant at the time of entry. (On Entry form from website, one liability form per entrant regardless of number of entries)
The Fiber Art’s Department will continue to make every effort to protect and handle your entries carefully.
Any category with less than 5 entries may at the discretion of the Fiber Arts Superintendent be combined into an “Other” class for award of ribbons.
The Susan Parr Award is an additional award given to a selected entry in the Fiber Arts show that exemplifies excellence in workmanship and education. The award may be given to a skein or finished item, that is awarded a high blue ribbon in regular judging. The entry must include the information in either the entry form or a separate informational sheet describing the skill or technique the entrant set out to learn. For example, recent awards were given for an item that the entrant made using yarn spun s/plyed z, and spun z/plyed s to use the different light reflectivity/texture, and to an entrant who taught herself to knit so she could make a fair-isle hat.
Judging will cover:
General overall appearance, preparation for exhibit (clean, not worn, properly skeined and tied), suitability of yarn or fiber to item or technique, finishing (blocked, ends woven in, no loose edges or threads, if felted or 3D all parts are firmly attached, etc.
Definitions:
Novice: Someone who has been working at the specific fiber craft for less than one year and has not won a Rosette ribbon.
Youth: Someone who is under 16 years of age, or Someone under 18 years of age that has not won a Rosette ribbon.
Professional: Someone who makes $250 or more a year on the same fiber art as entry. (ie may be considered professional as spinner, but not as a knitter etc).
Rules:
Competition is open to all Fiber Artists.
The Decision of the Judge is Final. Scores will only be changed if it is determined that there was a math error.
No late entries will be accepted without prior approval of Superintendent, absolutely no entries or changes to entries after Judging has begun. Late entries will not be eligible for Champion/Reserve Champion.
Please specify on entry form if you fit into one of the defined categories.
All articles must be the handwork of the entrant(s).
If item is a group project, state all contributors names and what portion each person did. (If over 2 entrants Judging will be at the Superintendent/Judges discretion).
Items may be entered for display only.
All articles submitted must have been completed in the past year – Since last April.
Items entered must be made from a minimum of 50% wool or other naturally occurring fibers (i.e. cotton but not rayonized bamboo or soy).
All Finished items made with yarn must be at least 50% Handspun yarn (handspun by entrant, not purchased handspun yarn).
Visibly soiled or worn items (discretion of the Judge/Superintendent) will not be Judged.
Attach a Fiber Arts Entry form to each item. (available when you drop off your items).
Required: Attach a small butterfly of yarn and fiber sample used to all finished items. (Minimum 1 yd yarn, small sample of unspun fiber).
Items without yarn and fiber sample will have points deducted.
Skeins:
Specify “wheel spun” or “spindle spun”.
Must be Handspun by entrant.
Skeins are to be 25-50 yards in length. Skeins over 50 yards will be judged, but will not be eligible for Champion/Reserve Champion ribbons.
(Exception: Spindle spun worsted weight or larger may be submitted in one or two lengths of yarn tied together as a single skein, one strand should be entire length of full spindle with addition of “extra” to reach requirement. Please state as such on entry form for Judge).
A 2-yard length skein is preferred. A 1-yard length skein will be accepted on laceweight or finer yarns.
Skeins are to be tied with a minimum of 3-4 figure 8 ties. Either self-tied (preferred) or individual ties of same/very similar yarn is acceptable. (See links on bottom of Page).
Skein must be accompanied by a 4×4 inch (before washing) or larger swatch. Any technique or stitch pattern, and a sample of the fleece or fiber.
Skeins without a swatch or fiber sample will have points deducted.
Classes/Categories:
Wheel Spun Skein
Spindle Spun Skein
Knit Item
Crochet Item
Woven Item
Felted Item
Rug Hooked Item
Other
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