Scholarship Program


If members wish to measure the progress of their skills, there is an apprenticeship or scholarship program available within the guild. This program is for the purpose of individual progress and is not a competition between members. This program is not a requirement of membership. Members may participate or not at their own discretion.

This scholarship program is not set in stone. We are also not looking for perfection or fault. If a member demonstrates reasonable competencies in the required assignments, they should be allowed to pass to the next level. That said the items made must demonstrate competency in the skills required. The sample must be large enough to show consistency in the skill being demonstrated. The sample or item must also be finished. Depending on the craft the edges bound, the ends woven in, etc.

Success will be determined by a majority vote of the guild mistresses or masters present at the meeting where the member has declared their intention to challenge the next level in the program. This must occur at a regular meeting of the guild chapter and the regularly attending guild members and any master's level members in the chapter must be notified of the intention at least 24 hours prior to the meeting so that they can be placed on the agenda for the meeting by the Head Mistress or Master. If at least 3 master level members are not present at the meeting, the individual may be elevated to the next level in the program by a ¾ vote of all guild members present who agree that the individual has demonstrated the required competencies and completed all requirements for the level. Appeals can be made to the guild masters and the majority decision of the masters will settle the matter.

Any member in the program can challenge any level at any time. New members to the guild who arrive with experience in their chosen area and can demonstrate competencies in both basic and advanced skills may be allowed to skip the requirements of the earlier levels and may be named to a higher level in the program at the time of initial entrance into the program. This will be determined by the guild masters present at the regular meeting. The individual must announce their intention to enter the program and request an evaluation from the members prior to the meeting as stated above.

Mailing List Chapter members who do not have a local chapter may participate in the scholarship program through the mailing list. They will have to provide photos of their required items so that competency in the required skills may be determined by the masters level members on the mailing list. Photos may be posted to the webpage controlling the mailing list: http://groups.yahoo.com/illuminatedthreads/

There are 3 ranks that a member may accomplish within the guild:

Apprentice - This level is open to all members.Apprentices are expected to be working on their basic skills in the chosen craft. They are also expected to begin studying the history of the craft and may specialize in a particular period of history if they wish. They are not expected to use period materials but may if they choose to. In order to advance to the next level, the apprentice will be expected to complete a list of requirements that will allow them to demonstrate their competency in the basic skills of their craft. The apprentice may chose a specific mentor to work under or may work under all or may choose self study. See below for the current list of basic skills and requirements for the most common textile areas.

Journeyman - This level is for those who have mastered the basic skills and are now working on more advanced techniques. They are also expected to continue studying the historical aspects of their craft. In order to advance to the master craftsman level, the journeyman must create an original, finished project demonstrating mastery or advanced skills and techniques in their chosen field of study. There can be one large project or several small projects or a combination of projects. A variety of skills should be demonstrated. Appropriate written documentation explaining the history, methods or construction and materials used must accompany the project(s). It is strongly encouraged that the individual discuss their project with their chapter guild masters before beginning so that all involved can be assured that it will meet requirements.

Guild Master - This level is for those that have demonstrated mastery of advanced skills and techniques as well as knowledge of their chosen craft over time or in a specific historical period. Masters are expected to continue to improve their skills and to increase their knowledge of their subject area. Masters are expected to act as mentors and to share their knowledge and assist anyone who asks to the best of their ability. This guild is about encouragement and supporting others in our shared crafts. Masters are expected to support and encourage. It is not a Master's job to find fault but to gently correct mistakes and provide constructive criticism where necessary but never negative criticism. This is supposed to be a fun and enjoyable experience, it is part of the Master's responsibility as a teacher to do their best to maintain a positive atmosphere for their students to work in.

XIa - Basic Skills and Requirements
This is only a list of the most common ares of study. Members are welcome to work in other areas. If a list of basic skills is not available here, ask the members of your chapter or a group of members in your chapter to work with you to create a list of basic requirements for the craft. Please share this list with the webmistress so it can be shared with all the guild members. You may not be the only one interested in that area of study.

Quilting
Samples or a finished project(s) must be provided including the following quilting stitches or techniques: piecing, applique, intarsia (reverse applique), quilting (at minimum running or back stitch depending on the historical period), tying, and binding.

Weaving
Samples or a finished project(s) must be provided including the following weaving techniques or patterns: tabby, twill (any structure), a striped fabric (any structure), a polychromatic pattern other than a stripe (any structure). The twill requirement is for 4 shed weaving only, it is not required of those using a warp weighted or rigid heddle loom at this level.

Spinning
Samples or a finished project(s) must be provided including the following skills: thick yarn or thread, fine yarn or thread, plied yarn

Knitting
Samples or a finished project(s) must be provided including the following stitches or techniques or skills: garter or knitting stitch, perl stitch, increasing and decreasing, a join of 2 pieces, panel and circular knitting

Crochet
Samples or a finished project(s) must be provided including the following stitches or techniques or skills: single, double, triple and half double stitches, increase and decrease, join 2 panels, fillet crochet.

Tatting
Samples or a finished project(s) must be provided including the following: double stitch, half stitch, rings, picots, split rings, chains, and polychromatic tatting of at least 2 colors

Lucet Braiding
Samples or a finished project(s) must be provided including the following: basic 1 color square braid, 2 color braid with a gimp, 3 color braid with 2 gimps, 2 color braid with thread exchange, flat braid, beaded braid

Kumi Himo Braiding
Samples or a finished project(s) must be provided including the following: round spiral braid of at least 2 colors, round chevron braid, flat braid any pattern other than spiral and chevron, 1 braid of any complex pattern other than spiral and chevron.

Finger Loop Braiding
Samples or a finished project(s) must be provided including the following: 5 loop braid, 7 loop braid, spiral pattern braid of at least 2 colors, chevron pattern braid of at least 2 colors, 1 braid of any complex pattern other than spiral and chevron

Band Weaving
Samples or a finished project(s) must be provided including the following: Inkle weaving: a striped band of at least 2 colors, 3 other complex patterned bands of your choice. Tablet weaving: a checkered band of at least 2 colors, 3 other complex patterned bands of your choice.

Embroidery
Samples or a finished project(s) must be provided including the following stitches: backstitch, stem stitch, chain stitch, french knot, cross or long arm cross stitch, satin stitch, couched thread, and something with beads.

Naalbinding
Samples or a finished project(s) must be provided including the following: blanket stitch (O/UO f1), Oslo stitch (UO.UOO f1), York stitch (UU/OOO f2), panel and circular knitting

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