Embellishers' Forms

Embellishers' Guild of An Tir Guild Badge: (Fieldless) In saltire a needle argent and a hammer reversed Or. Forms of Embellishment What is Embellishment? The short answer: Decoration, on anything, with anything. The Long Answer: The most commonly thought of forms of embellishment in the SCA seem to be needlework, embroidery, and decoration of garments and linens and home furnishings. However, embellishment can also be done with paints on wood or leather, with stamps and engraving tools on wood, leather and metal, with threads and other items on textiles, and on many other materials in many other media. In fact, embellishment is making just about anything more attractive by decorating it. Of course, we, as a Guild, are focused upon the ways items were embellished during the accepted SCA period of study. Forms of Embellishment Accepted by the Guild Forms are generally divided by material/media and technique. There is also an 'other' category under each material/medium. This category is used to suggest new forms for that material/medium when challenging. If the new form is approved, it'll be added to the acceptable forms list under the appropriate material/medium. For a printable copy of the forms list go here. The forms are listed on the last 4 pages. All forms of embellishment should be executed upon period appropriate items if those items are to be submitted for challenging the ranks of the Guild. Period appropriate means the item and the form of embellishment come from the same time frame and location and both are acceptable to the SCA. Note: A form may be consecutively challenged for increasing ranks up to three (3) times providing that each time the form is challenged it increases in knowledge. A form may not be challenged successfully at the same level of knowledge twice, improvement must be shown. Note: Forms that are not completely documented as being period (e.g. we have tools but no extant pieces; for example, lucet cord in which we have tools but no actual cord) can only be challenge to competency level and no further. As soon as it is documented that these forms are period, they can be challenged to expert level. Fabric Stitched Fabric Applique Applied, reverse, single thickness, etc Foreign items: i.e. shells, mirrors, quills, etc Quilting Trapunto -- corded or stuffed Smocking Other Embroidery Counted Thread German Brick Stitch Cross Stitch Long Arm Cross Stitch Voided Work Assisi Reversi Counted-thread Blackwork Pattern Darning Other Metal Thread Surface Couching (metal thread) Or Nue Bullion Work Underside Couching Other Canvas Work ("needlepoint") Tent Stitch Cross Stitch on Canvas Brick Stitch Upright (gobelin) stitch Satin Stitch Other Surface Embroidery Surface Couching (non-metal thread) Basic Embroidery Laid Work Beadwork Split Stitch Crewel Raised Work Other WhiteWork Drawn Thread Pulled Thread Cutwork Buratto work Reticella Other Painting Other Thread knitting Decorative netting lace Bobbin Needle lace Drawn Work Punto in Aria Pulled Work Weaving Loom Woven Narrow Wares (e.g. Inkle) Tablet (Card) Decorative weaving of cloth Braiding Kumihimo Fingerloop/Fingerweaving Sprang Thread-Woven Buttons Wooden Core Other Other Metal Wire Weaving Etching Enamelling Pierce work Casting Sheet metal work (chasing, repousse, etc) Other Earthenware Painted Glazed Carved/Etched Moulded Other Leather Carving/Tooling Painting Braiding Decorative Applique Other Wood Carving Burning Painting Inlay Other Stone/Gems Carved Painted Other Glass Painted Stained Engraving Other Bone/Antler/Horn/Ivory Carving Inlay Other OTHER: a piece that does not fit into one of the above categories of material and/or forms. However, every entry in the other category, regardless of rank challenged, must be accompanied by written documentation to prove the appropriateness of the material and/or form. If the material and/or form is accepted, a new category and/or form will be created and added to the list above. Revision May 2020