Guild Charter for the Honorable Company of Embroiderers
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THE HONORABLE COMPANY OF EMBROIDERERS
Purpose of the guild is to share ideas and skills with others that are interested in embroidery. The guild defines embroidery as an embellishment to a fabric using thread. Additionally, beads/spangles/stones and gold/silver thread can also be added to the fabric. Membership – open to anyone within the Kingdom that is interested in embroidery.
Categories and Rankings
Purpose of the guild to have categories and a ranking system is to help members move out of their comfort zones and stretch their abilities. This will not be a requirement for membership to the guild but will help those members measure their skill growth within the framework of embroidery. Startup categories which can be added to as the guild grows.
- Applique (inlay and onlay)
- Monochrome Embroidery/Blackwork, whitework
- Couching and Laidwork (excluding metallic threads)
- Counted Thread
- Free Embroidery (Opus Anglicanum, etc.)
- Metal Thread (including couching of metallic threads)
- Openwork (hardanger, hemstitching, drawn and pulled work, cutwork)
- Padded Work (stumpwork, quilting variations)
- Bead work/spangle embellishment
- Pleated Embroidery/Smocking
Within each category there would be 4 levels of ranking. The ranking system will be to demonstrate to the rest of the embroiderers and the Kingdom at large ones abilities in that technique.
These rankings will be:
- Basic knowledge - a basic understanding of a form within the category and the skills required to complete a simple project or a small sampler. (This rank can be obtain at a general meeting of the guild)
A sampler is a piece of embroidered fabric used to practice. It can used to show different motifs or stitches in one or more techniques. A basic piece is a small embroidered piece that demonstrates one or two stitches in any given technique. They do not have to be finished at the Review Panel but is strongly recommended.
- Competency – an intermediate level in which the member will demonstrate control and understanding of the technique. This will be demonstrated in a completed piece. The piece does not have to be period to prove competency. (This rank can be obtain at a general meeting of the guild)
- Period Competency – demonstrates high level of technique and control of the form. This will be presented in a fully realized period piece using period materials when possible. The presentation should include written documentation and an informal question and answer session with the panel. Aesthetics and practicality/usability will be considered. (A Period Competency review must be pre-arranged so a quorum of proper ranked members can be assembled)
- Expert – an advanced understanding and demonstration of technical control of numerous forms in the same category. This rank is achieved by completion of a masterwork in the form. There will also be several supporting pieces also done in the same category. The number and scope of these supporting pieces can vary depending on the category. Supporting pieces do not have to be new pieces. It is more desirable for the member to show their progression in mastering the form over the years. The presentation must also have written documentation of the master work and the presenter should be prepared to discuss and answer questions about the pieces and the needlework form in period. Anyone wishing to begin the process of attaining an expert rank should contact the guild first and show a list of the proposed masterwork and supporting pieces for review. If it is felt that a technique within the category has been overlooked, an additional supporting piece may have to be added.
For competency level and higher, a finished or completed work is required. All the needlework has to be completed. A variety of stitches should be demonstrated; as applicable. For Period competency and Expert levels an understanding of the work in historical context is required. As expected at the Expert level, a deeper understanding or the period techniques should be demonstrated through the stitch work and documentation. Note: a presented finished work does not guarantee ranking in any one category.
Guild recognitions
Each category will be assigned a token and any member who attains competency in that category will receive that token to display as they wish. Those members reaching Period Competency or Expert levels will also receive a bead/stone (to be determined) along with the token. (A favor can be designed for members to wear and display their tokens. A needle bag might be a nice ‘favor’ to attach ones tokens.)
Rankings
As the guild gets started, any competency levels obtained from other Kingdom Embroidery Guilds will be recognized and transfer to our guild. We ask that proof of the competency be presented. This would be a simple as a printout of a guild ranking webpage etc. Members are not required to participate in the ranking system but are encouraged to do so as a way to increase individual knowledge and skill. It is a tool to increase ones breadth and depth in the field of embroidery. The guild will start with four ranks. Others can be added if the guild feels the need to expand the ranking system. (Favors can be designed for each rank level)
- Novice – this is the entry rank and all members are granted this rank. Their name should be on the roll of members.
- Journeyman – requires ranking in four of the embroidery categories of the guild. Two of the rankings need to be in the competency level or higher.
- Craftsman – requires ranking in eight of the guild categories. Four of which need to be at the Period Competency level.
- Freeman– requires expert level in four categories, Period Competency in two other categories, and Competency in the remaining categories.
To reach these levels a panel review system has to be established. Any rankings that have been obtained from other Kingdom guilds will be recognized. To establish new rankings within the first year of existing, a quorum of at least 6 members must meet to review submitted work. Once enough members with ranks are established, the Review Panel should consist of at least four Journeymen or higher rank in each panel review. All members can be at a review panel to help. This will give those of lower rank and experience a chance to learn and increase their knowledge.
All pieces submitted for Panel review at a meeting will be reviewed during the meeting and the submitter will know if their piece meets the criteria of the competency and/or rank. The submitter needs to be present during these reviews to answer any questions and give a short overview of the materials and process used.
Pieces being submitted for panel review must be accompanied by a Panel Review form (to be created) This will be held on record as proof of rank etc. Review Panels for Expert level submissions will need to submit the Panel Review Form and supporting written documentation for the piece. There must be at least 5 Panel Administrators and the Guild Leader. The Panel Administrators should hold Period Competency in the category to be reviewed. (In the beginning this may be hard to accomplish and consideration in picking the Review Panel might need to be modified.)
Panel Administrator
is not a rank based on one’s embroidery skills. It is a job within the guild. They should have a strong understanding of period embroidery as well as the guild’s categories and ranking system. They must be able to give constructive criticism and help fuel other’s enthusiasm for embroidery.
To be considered a Panel Administrator one must:
- Hold a rank of Journeyman and still have basic knowledge in the other 5 categories. (This will change as the guild membership reaches higher levels)
- Will participant in Review Panels as a commentator and will need to lead at least two Review Panels as the supervising member.
(These criteria will grow and change as the guild grows and more members reach higher levels)
The Guild Leader will need to know who is working towards a Panel Administrator consideration.
Guild Meetings and Review Panels
These will be arranged per the guild’s needs. There should be consideration to meet at Kingdom level events and Arts events. The meetings and Review Panels should be announced well ahead of time so members can plan on being present as they can. The Review Panel will also have to be set up ahead of time.
