Sponsor for the 2009 Skein and Garment Competition is World In A Spin

2009 Skein and Garment Competition Rules

Do you dream in fiber?

Share your love of the fiber arts,  get recognition for your work,  and receive valuable feedback by entering the SAFF Skein and Garment Competition.

2009 Release Form

Rules

1. Amateur fiber artists only. This competition is intended to give individuals with all levels of experience a chance to enter and exhibit their work. However in the interest of fairness, individuals who would be considered professional practitioners of a particular craft are encouraged to seek other avenues of exhibition such as gallery displays and juried competitions. A professional would be considered someone who meets some or all of the following criteria: advanced degrees, certifications, nationally recognized instructors/authors, and/or significant fraction of income derived from the sales/exhibition of their own work in a particular craft endeavor. (Future competitions may include “professional” categories -- please let us know about your interest and check back next year.)

2. Each handspun article must be spun and constructed by the entrant alone. Articles not made entirely from yarn spun by the entrant must be entered in the Commercial Yarn categories.

3. Each handspun skein must contain at least 2 ounces or at least 500 yards of yarn except for spindle spun skeins and reeled silk categories, which must contain at least 1 ounce of yarn or 500 yards. Each skein must be 1 to 2 yards in circumference, be neatly wound, and tied loosely using figure eight-style ties in at least 3 places. Be sure to indicate fiber content by percentage.

4. Work must not have been previously exhibited at SAFF and must be clean and free of all odors.

5. All work with the exception of woven articles must be at least 60% animal fiber (which includes silk). Animal fiber is a protein-based fiber produced by an animal. Woven articles (Categories18 and 19) must be at least 50% animal fiber.

6. An article may be entered in only one class. There is a maximum of two entries per person per category. You may enter as many categories as you wish.

7. There is an entry fee of $1.00 per item entered. Checks should be made payable to SAFF.

8. Each entry must be accompanied by:

          * Entry fee and entry form
          * An index card attached to the item (we suggest a hole punched in the card and attached with pin or yarn). On the card you must print:
          * the entry category number
          * a brief description of the item (i.e. felted wall hanging, lap rug, etc.)
          * the fiber content of the item by approximate percentage
              -if it's wool, the breed, if known
          * the techniques used in construction
          * information about processes you used (i.e. self-dyed, self-prepared/carded, self-blended, self-designed, etc)
          * for handspun skeins:
            -the intended use
            -the Wraps per Inch (Wrap the yarn around a ruler for a full inch, then count the wraps.)
          * for Categories 27 and 28,  attach documentation of “locally produced” to the card and/or the “local statement” must be signed on the entry form
          * for items entered in a Youth category include the age of the entrant as of SAFF

This information will be used by the judge to help make decisions,  so please be sure you include all the information requested on your card.

9. Entries must not include the name (or other identifier/logo etc) of the entrant.  Cover or remove all tags that may identify the entrant.  Do not include a name or any other identifying information on the index card submitted with the entry.

10. Entries may be mailed or hand-delivered, and may be picked up at SAFF or returned by mail (with return postage as indicated on entry form).

11. All mailed entries must be received no later than 5 p.m. Wednesday, October 21, 2009. Mailed entries, with items listed in #7 and #8 above, and return postage if applicable (see entry form) should be mailed to:

SAFF Skein and Garment Competition
c/o Frith Gowan
102 Lisa Dr.
Carrboro, NC 27510

We apologize, but entries that arrive late will not be accepted.

12. All hand-delivered entries should be dropped off at the Skein and Garment Competition Booth between 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Friday October 23, 2009.

13. Entries and awards will be on display from approximately 1 p.m. Saturday through 2 p.m. Sunday.

14. Entries will be released after 2 p.m. Sunday. Entries may be returned by mail,  released to the entrant or released to someone other than the entrant with a release form signed by the entrant. Items released at the site will not be available before 2 p.m. Sunday and must be picked up by 4 p.m. Sunday. Release forms will be available at the Skein and Garment Booth throughout the event and on the SAFF website. Please make appropriate entry pickup arrangements before entering your item.  SAFF will not be responsible for items that are not pre-arranged for return by mail and are not picked up by 4 p.m. Sunday.  Entries to be returned by mail will be sent by UPS; please see the entry form for instructions for return packaging and postage that must be submitted with your entry.

15. Items will be judged as Exceptional/Very Good/Good/Fair on the following: General Appearance, Workmanship, Suitability (for Knitting/Crochet/Weaving: suitability of yarn/fiber and pattern; for Skeins/Felting: suitability of technique for type of fiber and/or of fiber for indicated project), Design Aspects (preparation, dyeing, self-design).

All entries will be displayed during SAFF hours under supervision. SAFF assumes no responsibility for lost, stolen or damaged entries. Categories may be re-arranged or split at the discretion of the competition organizers and/or judges. Competition organizers and/or the judges have the right to shift entries to more appropriate classes. All judge’s decisions are final. 

Prizes: Ribbons will be awarded to First, Second, and Third Places in each category at the discretion of the judge. Additional prizes will be granted to as many winners as possible based upon support of local vendors and fiber artist supporters.


Categories

Youth, 17 years and younger

1. Handspun yarn (spinning done on wheel or spindle)

2. Items created with handspun yarn (i.e. woven, crocheted, knitted, fulled, etc)

3. Items created with commercial yarn (i.e. woven, crocheted, knitted, fulled, etc)

4. Felted Items


Adult, 18 years and older

Handspun Yarn

(Please note that categories that receive a large number of entries may be split into reasonable subcategories based on fiber content, plied/singles,  WPI, etc. Please ensure information submitted with the entry is complete.)

5. Yarn prepared by spinner from 100% raw materials

6. Yarn dyed by spinner or spun from fiber blended by spinner

7. Fine yarns spun from commercially prepared fibers,  20 or more WPI

8. Thicker yarns spun from commercially prepared fibers,  fewer than 20 WPI

9. Spindle Spun Yarn

10. Novelty Yarn (well constructed yarn using defined techniques, such as boucle, core spun, etc.)

11. Novice Spinner (spinning for less than 1 year)


Reeled Silks

12.  Skeins created from reeled silk, such as knitting and weaving yarns and embroidery threads. Skeins should be finished as they are intended to be used -- for example, degummed if they will be used degummed.


Articles

13. Knitted, crocheted, or woven article using spindle spun yarn

14. Knitted Article using handspun yarn

15. Knitted Article using commercial yarn

16. Knitted Article designed by knitter using handspun or commercial yarn

17. Machine Knitted

18. Woven Article using at least 50% handspun yarn

19 Woven Article using commercial yarn

20. Crocheted Article using handspun yarn

21. Crocheted Article using commercial yarn

22. Felted Wearable Item (clothing, scarves, bags, etc.)

23. 2D Felted Art (wall hangings, table runners, etc.)

24. 3D Felted Art (sculptures, dolls, etc.)

25. Knitted/Crocheted/Woven then Fulled or Felted article.

26. Item constructed from other fiber related techniques or a combination of multiple techniques, including: tapestry weaving, braiding, plaiting, needle art, hooking, and tatting. The fiber/yarn should be clearly visible within the final product and must be the final focus of the product (i.e., no quilts with batting inside, no dolls stuffed with roving)

 
Locally Produced
Items made from products produced and processed in the general Southeastern region of the U.S. (Alabama, Mississippi, Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, West Virginia, Kentucky).  Labels (or other documentation) showing proof of “local” origin will be required to be submitted with items in this category.  All other entry criteria and rules still apply.

27. Handspun Skeins

28. Knitted, crocheted, woven, felted or fulled, etc. articles


Judges
Spinning & Weaving: Nancy Hamilton
Knitting & Crochet: Jackie Ligtenberg
Felting & Misc.: Jennif Chandler

Contest Managers: Twisted Threads Fiber Arts Guild

Questions:
Any questions about the competition should be sent to:
SAFF Skein and Garment Competition
c/o Frith Gowan
102 Lisa Dr.
Carrboro, NC 27510
frith@mewritegood.net

The SAFF Skein and Garment Committee welcomes your suggestions, recommendations, and constructive criticisms. We strive to make this competition enjoyable and worthwhile for all involved. Please send any comments you have for this year, or future years, to frith@mewritegood.net or kathryn@katmoget.com