RSN Certificate Jacobean Crewelwork Assessment Results ...

I got my results in mid January for my RSN Crewelwork and thought I would share.

I didn't know what to expect and did do my own assessment which I am pleased to share pretty much (to my relief) matched their assesment.

First Impressions:- 23 out of 25

The work is well presented and clean with no alien fibres.  The linen twill has been well covered and therefore kept free from stains and abrasion.  Improvement can be seen in the thread condition as the piece has been worked although the block shading and the raised stem do appear to be a little fluffy.  For most part the design lines have been covered but there are some visible along the top edge of the buttonhole and the pink edge of the long and short stitch on the left hand side.  You have done well to cover all the starting and finishing stitches.

Design:- 41 out of 45

The design follows the traditional English Jacobean style and care has been taken to place the image vertically on the grain.  Although the design has been distributed harmoniously within the space the balance of solid and open areas is slightly heavier.  Introducing some more open areas or breaking up the Romanian Couching would have achieved a better balance.  The main colour ranges have been distributed well throughout the design.  However there is very little evidence of the accent colour, bringing this down towards the base of the design would have helped to break up the larger areas of green.  An effective range of shades within each colour family have been used.  The proportions for the most part replicate that of the same image, however the left hand side hillock has not been brought down as far as the pricking, as a result this has been the embroidery look slightly off balance.  There is a good variety of flat and textural stitches, well done.

Stitches:- 123 out of 135

The stitch tension is smooth and consistent through the embroidery and there are no loose stitches.  Parallel stitches have been beautifully worked across the piece, for example the trellis stitches.  Sweeping angle changes flow smoothly throughout the design and the padded satin, block shading and long and short are very effective.  For the most part smooth edges have been achieved but take care especially with the small, narrow sections of satin stitch as these look a little nibbled.  Dense areas of stitching cover the linen and appear smooth, well done.  The gradual shading that has been achieved throughout the piece has been worked very well.  It would however have been nice to see this brought through to other areas such as the Romanian Couching along with the chain stitch and couching in the tree trunk.  For the most part points are sharp and have been well worked, however take care with the green satin stitch leaf to the right hand side of the design as this has ended up a little rounded.  Remember to always make sure that a holding stitch, such as fly stitch or feather stitch is worked over the top of the laid work to ensure the long stitches are held down.  All other stitches have been worked technically correct, well done.

Mounting 36 out of 40

The board has been cut straight and the corners are at 90 degrees.  The rebate around the edges is suitable, however the grain of the linen twill does not follow the edge of the board at the top.  However, you have done well to remove all bubbles, puckers and have kept the fabric taut across the board.  On the reverse the corners are for the most part, neat and flat, just take care to pull the stitches tight so that they are not visible.  The sateen is taut and clean however the corners are a little rounded and the rebate uneven.  The slip stitches are a little inconsistent in length but for the most part are invisible.  The board shows no significant signs of bowing and all the pin pricks have been removed from the edge of the board.  This is a very good first attempt at mounting, well done.

Total 223 out of 245 that equates as 91% (Distinction is above 89% but equated out over all four subjects with the certificate at the end.)

So there you have it.  I think the comments are fair and I don't think any of them are unreasonable so really pleased.  I have already started on the next subject which is silk shading and will keep you posted.