Ready to Take Your Needlepoint to the Next Level?

The National Academy of Needlearts (NAN) now offers needlework evaluations by their certified judges.  You have to take photos of your work, fill out a form, and email it all to NAN.  It costs $40 on a credit card paid through PayPal.  You will get a response that they've received your request within 7 days and the evaluation should arrive in 2-3 weeks.  

https://needleart.org/evaluation/

If you don't have a shop or stitching friends to critique your work, this is a fabulous way to get feedback so you improve your stitching.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright April 29, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

NAN Judging of Your Work for a Small Fee

The National Academy of Needlearts is now offering professional evaluation of your work for only $40.  This page on their website tells you how to ask for an evaluation and as a bonus, has lots of tips for taking photographs of your piece.  Those will come in handy even if you never submit a piece for NAN to critique.

https://needleart.org/evaluation/?fbclid=IwAR00ggI5_aLFQl7IJTTZgr3d-oE13pv3r9H4XsHQP_pCBV0SS0N0yknZ3kA

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright September 18, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

A Needleart Judge's Reference (Revised 2021 Edition) UPDATED

The National Academy of Needlearts (NAN) just annouced they have revised A Needleart Judge's Reference.  The original was published in 2013 and the revised edition is dated 2021.

https://needleart.org/publications/a-needleart-judges-reference/?fbclid=IwAR0PLlRmgC4S9oFvM5L942-fzmv5PiTmpPUPTO9AMTTI1TFuFE0ohw82IIY

This is a must-have for needle arts judges and a useful reference for those who want to improve their needle art for exhibit.  If you want a copy, I suggest you email the Director of Judges' Certification to see how to purchase a copy.

https://needleart.org/contact/

UPDATE:  Brenda's Needlepoint Studio has done a review of this book.  She thinks it is a fabulous resource for anyone who is involved in needlepoint exhibits.

https://brendasneedlepointstudio.blogspot.com/2022/06/a-needleart-judges-reference-by-nan.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright April 6, 2022 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Cindy Lee Gershin Talks Judging and Appraising Needlework

Cindy Lee Gershin talks to Fiber Talk about judging and appraising needlework.  She's certified in all these areas.  This is a several part interview.  The first is Cindy talking about judging needlework, what judges look for, how to improve your stitching with competition in mind, etc.

https://wetalkfiber.com/2021/07/25/fiber-talk-with-cindy-lee-gershin/

This podcast talks about appraisals, why you might need an appraisal, and how they work.

https://wetalkfiber.com/2021/08/08/fiber-talk-with-cindy-lee-gershin-ii/

The YouTube followup has Cindy showing photos of her work to explain what to look for if you are getting a piece ready to exhibit in a judged show.   The discussion starts at about 13:30 timestamp.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24m_lpQk3iQ

Here is Cindy's website if you wish to contact her.

https://needleworkappraisal.com

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright August 13, 2021 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Tips for Winning Ribbons

Brenda worked as a judge's assistant a few years back, helping them as they judged a needlework exhibit.  She has tips she gleaned from listening to the judging and comments of the various judges as they went through all the pieces on exhibit.  Whether you plan to ever submit a piece for judging or not, it's interesting to hear what we could all do better.
https://brendasneedlepointstudio.blogspot.com/2019/09/exhibitions-and-judging.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright September 12, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.