2025 Golden Needle Awards

The theme for Golden Needle Awards 2025 is “going to the faire”. What do you think of when you think of “going to the faire or fair? Is it a county fair where you get to sample all kinds of foods, see the exhibits, visit the 4-H exhibits and ride the carnival rides or is it a book fair held at elementary school or bookstores where you can browse and purchase new and used books. It may be a renaissance faire or a fundraising fair. What do you think of when you think of “going to the faire”?

In regards to Golden Needle Awards, “going to the faire” can be a memory of an experience of going to a fair when you were younger or going to a recent fair or it may be an imaginary fair — so many choices. What does “going to the faire” mean to you — is it a memory, an imaginary faire, or a recent fair you attended.

What we want you to show us in your entry in the Golden Needle Awards (only one entry per EGA member) is how your work depicts the theme “going to the faire”.

Your finished piece, which has been completed within the last 5 years, may be an original, adaptation or a non-original piece—and remember there is a special ribbon for an EGA class piece.

-Ellie Ames

All entries will be judged by EGA judges based on the judging criteria shown below. First Place, Second Place, and Third Place Ribbons may be awarded in the areas of Silk and Metal, Canvas, Counted Thread, Surface Embroidery and Beading.

Special Awards

Judges’ Choice (one awarded by each judge), Best of Show, Viewers’ Choice, Best depiction of Theme, Best EGA class (any EGA class: on-line, GCC, ICC, Seminar and/or chapter sponsored class/course)

Criteria used for Judging

The judges will be looking at several different criteria in determining first, second and third place ribbons in each category. We will use EGA definitions for the terms of adaptation and non-original. The judging criteria is below.

• Aesthetic Quality: design/composition. Aesthetic Design includes the relationships with the Elements and the Principles of Design, such as balance, color, repetition, pattern, scale, and shape
• Application of materials: Do the materials used support the design and concept?
• Complexity: difficulty in execution of the design
• Concept: Is the Artist Statement cohesive or reflection of the theme and the relationship in the design and execution of the embroidery?
• Form: Is the intention of the final piece clear and supported by the design and the total sum of materials?
• Innovation: is the embroidery original, adaption or does it have a clever twist?
• Professional Quality: Is the embroidery neat, clean and does it demonstrate skill in execution?
• Use of the needle: Did the needleworker complete the work with the use of a needle?

• Only one entry per entrant. Visit the Education Exhibit Entry Form to submit your entry.
• You must be an EGA member to participate, but you do not need to attend Seminar to enter or win.
• There’s an entry fee of $25. Once you fill out and submit the exhibit form you will receive a confirmation email with the link to pay your fee and the optional judge’s critique fee.
• An optional judge’s critique is available for an additional $25. If you choose this option, the total including your entry fee will be $50.
• The size of the entry is limited to 18” x 18”.
• The entry must have been completed since August 14, 2019.
• An artist statement of 250 words or less must accompany the entry
• Original, adaptations and non-original pieces are encouraged to enter
• Awards will be given in the areas of Canvas, Counted Thread, Surface Embroidery, Silk & Metal and Beading. Please indicate which category your entry belongs to, along if your entry is original, adaption or a non-original piece.
• Entries must be delivered during the week of October 26 if mailed or on November 10 if hand delivered.
• Please include a pre-paid return shipping label or a check made out to EGA for return postage.

Your artist statement of 250 words or less must state how your piece fits the theme. In your artist statement if your piece is not original, the source of your idea must be credited. If it is a non-original piece credit the designer. The finisher (if you didn’t finish the piece yourself) must also be credited.

Definitions

Originals, adaptations, and non-originals (charts, painted canvases, class pieces, etc.) will be accepted. Designers and finishers must be credited. We will be using EGA definitions for adaption, original and non-original.

Adaptation: Needlework inspired by or based upon a source other than needlework and modified through significant change. Source(s) must be documented.

Non-original: All designs by individuals other than the stitcher, class projects, kits, printed charts, painted canvases, patterns, etc.

Original: A work is one, which, from the beginning, is solely the creative product of the stitcher.

One question that has come up is “What is display or exhibit ready” and for the purposes of the Education Exhibit I answered that question below.

• Your entry must be completely finished and ready to be displayed, but not necessarily framed; for instance, it can be wrapped around a mat (such as foam core) and laced with no loose dangling threads or parts visible, unless that is the intended finished appearance by the artist. It is important that your entry is completely finished (no areas that are not stitched that are meant to be stitched or embellished be left unstitched) and ready for display. Laced pieces can be displayed on display stands.

• If your piece is framed, we prefer wire side-to-side rather than saw tooth hangers. There should be no loose dangling parts, broken or loose glass or frames or missing eye screws or wires. The backing of the frame must be attached firmly and not loose. In addition, your name and address should be on back of the entry.

• If your piece is meant to lie flat, as a doily or mat, there should be no dangling or loose threads. The edges should be finished with no raw edges visible unless that is your intent.

• For notebook entries – samples should be finished and in sheet protectors with no raw, rough edges unless that your desired look.

• Other items such as jewelry and mixed media pieces follow the same criteria as above – all entries must be completely finished with no stray items detracting from the completed piece. A label with your name should be attached, either with a tag or on a label in back of the entry.

If your piece is in one of the judged exhibits (Bobbie Pilling or Golden Needle Awards), your entry will also be judged on finishing as it is part of the judging criteria.

This is going to be a fun Education Exhibit and we are excited to be receiving your entry (entries). By having class pieces, master craftsman, along with fiber forum pieces and the Bobbie Pilling and Golden Needles entries we will have a wonderful exhibition!

The Education Exhibit entry form for all entries is here. The deadline for submissions is June 15, 2024, but your entry does not need to arrive in Atlanta until August.

-Ellie Ames