Journeyman
Purpose
The purpose of the Journeyman level is to demonstrate a broad knowledge of costuming within the generally accepted SCA time period.
Requirements
Do all eleven of the following:
- Pass the Journeyman Written Test. The test is a multiple choice format test that is a broad survey of costume and costume-related textile information from the generally accepted SCA time period. The minimum passing score is 80%. You can view the test by appointment prior to taking it, so that you can get an idea of the areas of study. The test may not be copied or taken away from the viewing area. If you do not pass the test the first time, you can take it again, but not on the same day.
- Present ten entries:
- Two garments
- Two accessories
- Two items in the Teaching/Writing category
- Two items in the Other category
- Two items from any of the categories
- Limitations on the entries:
- No more than two of these entries may be from the same Location or Time Period on the following grid. The grid is provided to assist you in determining the appropriate level of diversity and breadth for the Journeyman rank. For example, you may not submit three garments from the British Isles, even though they are from different time periods. You may also not submit two classes and one accessory that are all based on the 14th Century, even though they are from different locations and cultures.
- No more than four of these entries may be general costumes, accessories, service, or classes that are exempt from using the grid. Garments, accessories, and classes that cover more than four rows or more than four columns are exempt from using the grid. For example, classes such as Basic Embroidery, Survey of 16th Century Shoes, and Drop Spindle Spinning are general classes and are exempt from the grid. Service entries, such as contests, officer work, etc. are also exempt from using the grid. For details and examples of the different locations and cultures covered in the grid, see the Appendix.
Location and Culture |
pre-600 | 600-899 | 900-1199 | 1200-1399 | 1400-1499 | 1500-1549 | 1550-1599 | 1600-1650 |
| British Isles | ||||||||
| France and the Low Countries | ||||||||
| Germanic Cultures | ||||||||
| Iberian Peninsula | ||||||||
| Italian Peninsula | ||||||||
| Middle Eastern/North Africa/ Greece | ||||||||
| Scandinavia | ||||||||
| Slavic Cultures/Eastern Europe/ Russia | ||||||||
| Eastern Asia/Nomad | ||||||||
| Other/None of the above |
Standards
Garments and Accessories
- Workmanship requirements:
- The object demonstrates the period color, surface design, texture, and fabric choice, with explanations for any substitutions.
- A proper silhouette is achieved with period cut and knowledge of period construction techniques.
- Fit and ability to move in the garment is appropriate to the time period.
- Finishing techniques are appropriate to the time period.
- Embellishment, or lack thereof, is appropriate to the time and place of the garment or accessory.
- Documentation minimum requirements:
- Images of two relevant primary sources that you used as the basis for your garment or accessory.
- A two-page written summary of your project
- A bibliography of the sources you used to research your garment or accessory.
Teaching and Writing Category
- Write an article for the Guild Newsletter (FTSO). The article must be one of the following:
- A costuming or textile related article of 500 words or more.
- An annotated bibliography of at least 12 books on a specific costuming or textile subject.
- A book review of approximately 500 words on a costuming or textile art book.
- Provide instruction on a costume or costume-related textile arts subject for a minimum of one hour. This includes teaching one-on-one or teaching a class at the Local (Barony or Shire), Kingdom, or National (for example, at Pennsic or an International Conference) level. Teaching one-on-one requires a written statement from the student that includes what you taught, the location, and date. If you taught a class at an event, provide the class title, event title, location, and date taught.
Other Category
- Take a class. The class must be on a subject related to costuming or costume-related textile arts. Consult the grid and note the limitations on the class subjects, as listed in the Requirements section. Provide the title of the class, the name of the teacher, the location or event name, and the date when the class was taken.
- Enter a contest. Enter a Costume, an Accessory, or a Research Paper related to costuming or costume-related textile arts in a Local (Barony or Shire) or Kingdom-level Contest. Provide the name of the contest, the location, the date, and the item that you entered. Note that you may not use the same item that you entered in the contest as one of your garments, accessories, or research papers for this level.
- Perform service for the Guild. Volunteer your time for a Costumers Guild event or activity, or serve as a Costumers Guild Officer or Deputy. Provide the type and amount of service rendered. Eight hours of service is the minimum and may be done over several events.
- Be a Student Judge at a Kingdom level contest. Student judge a minimum of 8 hours at a Kingdom Costumers Guild Contest or Student judge entries in the costuming or costume-related textile arts at Kingdom A&S. This may be done over multiple events.
Level Emblem
In addition to the Junior Student and Senior Student augmentations, the challenger who completes the Journeyman level is entitled to wear a Malachite gem.
Additional Information
Due to the number of garments and accessories required for this level, we encourage challengers to present their items over the course of multiple events.
The fiber or fabric choice should display or approximate the period hand, weight, weave, and finish. Explain any substitutions, for example, "This gown would have been made of silk brocade but I could not afford 10 yards of silk brocade, therefore..."
Period color includes the knowledge of how the color could be achieved using period dye sources.
Period cut and construction of garments and accessories includes the shape of the pieces, as well as finishing techniques such as a hem, lining, and seam finishes. You can use sewing machines and other modern aids, as long as the outward period appearance is achieved. Any difference from period techniques should be explained, for example, “this one button hole was sewn by hand to demonstrate the technique used in period. The other sixty six button holes were made using my sewing machine.
For items in which toxic or unobtainable materials were used in period, non-toxic obtainable substitutions should be made. We are trying to achieve the look, not the aftereffects.
While it is certainly acceptable to go beyond the minimum requirements, you may want to save more complicated items from your primary area of interest for your Scholar level.
An example of service to the Costumers Guild would be organizing a series of costume and textile arts classes at an event. This includes coordinating the activity with other Guild officers, finding teachers, coordinating the schedule with the autocrat, setup and teardown if applicable, etc.
Examples of garments and accessories done by previous challengers include: a Viking Age Suspended Dress, 16th Century English shirt, 14th century French gown, 14th century French veil, Anglo-Saxon wrist clasps, leather purse, linen stockings, heraldic surcote, and a 17th century Italian doublet.
See detailed information for the other levels: [Junior Student], [Senior Student], and [Scholar].
See the Appendices for a glossary of terms and other information.
Please contact the Challenges Coordinator if you have any questions.
Challenges