Please select:
- Categories – of needlework recognized by the guild
- Expertise Levels – of paneled work
- Tokens – beads for category expertise
- Ranks – based on breadth of work and experience
- Panels – where work is evaluated
- Senior Members – who can run panels
- Solars & Meetings – other gatherings of members
- Definitions of Work – scope and difficulty of work
- Guild History – our founding documents & badge
Overview
While not required for membership, the Keepers of Athena’s Thimble offers a ranking system for those who wish to set goals and measure their achievement within the craft, or who wish to get feedback about their work. The guild recognizes twelve categories of needlework, four levels of expertise within each category, and five levels of overall ranking within the guild. Evaluation is performed by an open forum panel of three or more guild members of journeyman or higher rank, headed by a senior member. Panels are held at SCA events. Anyone wishing to have a panel held at an event should email their request to the Athena’s Thimble email list.
The guild defines needlework as an embellishment or addition to existing fabric made with a needle and utilizing thread, fabric, or other textiles. The only exceptions are punto in aria and Tenerife needlelace, where the entire piece is created with a needle, but no ground textile is used.
