Woolcraft at the Australian Sheep & Wool Show

Before posting your Entry Form:

• Read the Conditions of Entry carefully before selecting which categories best suit your set of skills.
• Read the class description carefully so that you enter your work in the correct class.
• Check the entry closing date.
• Check the glossary of terms for any definition you might need to clarify.
• If you want your entry returned to you by mail, follow the instructions on the Entry Form.

When packaging your Exhibit:

• Ensure your garment/article has met the fibre requirements.
• Put all the samples (fibre, yarn and/or label) required for your entry neatly and appropriately labelled into the sample bag.
• Attach the exhibit ticket and sample bag with the supplied balloon safety pin.
• No names are to appear on any entry.
• Include a photo and storyboard with your entry if required or if you feel it would enhance your entry. Ensure there is no identifying feature, i.e., face on the photo.
• Check the Conditions of Entry again.
• If posting your exhibit, send it by Registered Mail (record tracking number), including the return address on the parcel. Ensure you allow time for your exhibit to arrive in time.
• Packaging must be sturdy enough to carry your article to and from the show.

Handspinning:

• Carefully check your WPI (see Glossary of Terms) and skein weight.
• Spinning needs to be consistent, even, and the plying technique should suit the fibre.
• Provide quality fleece samples.
• Rewinding a skein after wet finishing can also improve the final appearance.
• Tie skeins with matching handspun and tuck the ends in neatly. In the days when niddy-noddy skeins were 18 inches long (making a two-yard skein), four ties were usual to keep the skein neat and tidy. Nowadays, niddy noddys come in many sizes, so changing the “rules”.
  • Through your work, you are on show, and a neat and tidy, well-presented skein may well earn you “WOW” points.
  • An untidy, messy skein loosely tied, with ties made from a thread other than the skein itself will attract the eye of the judge, but probably for the wrong reasons.
  • Use your discretion. Use ties from the skein itself, as many as required to make your skein present well and trim the ends neatly. Remember the skein will be opened and lengthened for judging, so loose ends can come untucked.
• Creative/novelty/art yarn must be three (3) distinct methods. Three (3) variations in plying are not distinct but similar.
• Add explanatory notes for the judges if anything may be potentially unclear (e.g. purposely done randomness).

Garments and Other Articles:

• Pay attention to the finish of your article/garment.
• There should be no loose threads.
• The seams should match.
• Garment sleeve lengths should match.
• Buttons should match the buttonholes.
• The neck opening should allow for the head to pass through.
• Accessories (e.g. buttons, zippers) should be appropriate for the intention of the garment.
• Weave extra length if you intend to match a pattern.
• If you have deliberately made something non-traditional (e.g. an irregular pattern), include an explanation for the judge.
• Judges can turn an entry upside down and inside out. They can hold entries up to the light to check tension changes and any irregularities.
• Judges can use your fibre sample to do a burn test.

Judges:

• There are two judges for every class. Judges are volunteers who do their very best. They appreciate the work you have done and know how it feels to put yourself out there.
• Judges love to see a range of items and are uncomfortable marking down a high-quality entry that has not met the conditions of entry.
• Judges have a limited amount of time to assess entries. Exhibits need to be presented in the best possible condition, with supplemental information if appropriate.