Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives

Vision Statement “The MAAS Board will lead in revitalizing our rural communities”  Mission Statement “The MAAS Board will provide Manitoba Agricultural Societies with the vehicles and opportunities to develop and promote vital rural communities.”

 

Standards for Judging Clothing

General Score Card for Judging Clothing

6   Points   First Impression 11   Points   Presentation   4   Points   Workmanship 21   Points   Total

When judging sewing, keep in mind the function or intended use of the article. The function will influence the impression, presentation and workmanship of the article.

Note: Judging Standards are the same for articles made on a conventional sewing machine and articles made on a serger or overlock machine.

(6) First Impression

• Individuality, suitability and creativity in choice of fabric, colour, and decoration

• Harmony - Does it look like it all belongs together?

• Fabric suitable to design, up-to-date, fashionable, attractive

• Findings: buttons, trims, etc., complementary and serviceable - Do they work? Are they for decoration?

• Style and design: fashionable, attractive, up-to-date

• Clean and well-pressed: may be worn, but not show signs of wear and tear

• Appropriate and creative use of sewing machine or serger/overlock, or combination of both machines.

(11) Presentation

• Finishing details (judged from the outside of the garment)

• Garment cut on grain if necessary.

• Matching of any predominant design on fabric, ex: plaids, stripes, flowers

• Correct construction of any fashion details, ex: buttonholes, pockets, belts, zippers, pleats, darts

• Sleeves: if set-in sleeve, sleeve should be smooth across the cap, no puckers, or gathers - exception is a puffed sleeve

• Collar points: sharp, both the same length and shape

• Top stitching: straight, acceptable stitch length

• Hem: smooth, not puckered, suitable to the purpose of the garment

• Lining: appropriate weight, no folds or puckers on the outside

(4) Workmanship

Note: Judged from the inside of the garment

• Are construction techniques suitable to the wear or purpose of the garment?

• Seam finish, if necessary (knit fabrics do not require a seam finish unless they ravel - wovens require a seam finish)

• Stitching: proper tension, correct length of stitch appropriate for weight of the fabric used - if stretch fabric, seam must stretch and not pop

• Suitable weight and application of interfacing where body and shaping is required on a garment - pattern may not call for interfacing

• Hem finish: suitable to purpose of garment

• Facings: construction techniques suitable to wear of garment

• Armhole seam: slashing of underarm in set-in sleeve is not recommended - should be trimmed, double stitched and fairly narrow to be comfortable

Additional Judging Considerations

Exercise Wear, Aerobic Wear, Swim Suits, Dance, Gymnastic and Figure Skating Outfits

• Good two-way stretch in fabric - direction of stretch varies with activity and preference of wearer - needs strong thread, seams that are stretchable, durable and strong

• Suitable seams include: small zigzag, sports seam, triple stitched stretch seam, overlocked and multi-stitched seams. Elastic should be chlorine resistant for swimwear. Elastic used around the neck for stability and in leg openings. It is stitched to the raw edge, turned once inside and zigzagged again. Look for creativeness in fabric and colour

• Trims, sequins, embellishments, securely attached. If not a pull-on garment, zipper, buttons should blend well

Outerwear

Duffle Parkas. Judge the applied design of parkas by considering the whole coat and the effect created. Fabrics and yarns suitable and durable. Designs may be applied by machine zigzagging, by hand or a combination of both. Seam finishes are unnecessary on duffle, topstitching reduces bulk. Seams may be opened and topstitched on both sides, the cheater's jean seam or the butt seam. Outer edges of duffle pockets often zigzagged to lining with raw edges together and then zigzagged to parka. They may or may not be hand stitched to finish. Hems usually machine stitched for durability.

Outerwear Fleece (ex: Polar/Arctic). Many characteristics similar to duffle re: bulk, seam finishes. Pattern should have simple lines. Edges may be bound with a spandex or ribbing. Zipper, shoulder seams should be stabilized.

Jean Jackets. Consider the whole coat and effect created. Fabrics should co-ordinate and complement each other. Creative use or re-used materials. Similar to duffle re: bulk. Trims, decorative details securely attached and complementary. All seams secure. Ribbing securely attached. Lining appropriate to weight.

Sportswear and Active Wear. Consider creative combinations of fabrics, colours, trims, embroidery, fringe, braids, piping, fabric paint, metal studs and sew on jewels for distinctive T-shirts, etc. Seams include: sports seam, stretch seam, small zigzag, overlocked or multi-stitched seams. Seams and neck edges stretch without stitches popping. Shoulder seams may need stabilizing. Open sleeve method, stitching "in the ditch" on waistbands, cuffs, etc., zigzagged raw edges on hems and facings and machine hems all acceptable methods. If a serger/overlock has been used, look for creative use of the machine, as well as correct seam finishes and secure thread ends.

Children's Clothing. Style, fabric and print compatible and suitable for the age of child. Growth features such as adjustable straps. Washable if not a special occasion garment. Sturdy construction/application of fasteners, pockets, appliques, trim, hem.

Home Decor/Accessories. May be in collections. Consider overall colour/texture impact and end use of the articles. Fabric should be suitable for the articles, drape if required, sturdy for function, and match or blend together. Appropriate finishing such as stuffing in the pillow, curtain rods, ties. Window treatments require appropriate fullness for size of window.

Serged or Overlocked Articles. (If a separate class is identified.) All or a reasonable amount of sewing to be done on a serger or overlock machine. Threads connect or lock at the seam line and do not come undone. Threads connect or lock at the edge of the fabric. Balanced tension. Needle thread matches fabric colour - other threads blend in colour if not a match. Roll hem requires a loosened upper looper and a tightened lower looper so that the edge rolls under. No dangling thread ends. Thread ends may be slipped in last inch of stitching, - glued or seam sealant used - thread end serged into end of seam. Fabric not puckered. No lint build-up. Neat corners. Edges clean cut and not ragged. Look for appropriate use of the serger. Give credit for creative use of the serger or overlock machine and for use of different functions of the machine, ie: rolled hem, flat locking, lace insertion, pin tucking.