VAS Competition - Handcrafts

Entries can be submitted online, dropped off at the Springdale Community Centre, Drysdale or via mail to the
Handcraft Steward, Bellarine Show, PO Box 315, Drysdale. 3222

The Handcraft Pavilion will close at 2.45pm on 9 March to allow for pack up and dismantling of exhibits.


Bellarine Show winner qualifies for judging in South-West region, then Finals at the 2025 Melbourne Royal Show
State Final Prizes (each Section)
1st prize - State Final Trophy and $300 Spotlight Voucher
2nd Prize - $150 Spotlight Voucher
3rd Prize - $50 Spotlight Voucher

Rules of Entry

1.   NO LATE ENTRIES ACCEPTED
2.   Exhibits to be handed in to the Handcraft Pavilion no later than 12:00pm 8 March. Judging will take place from 1:00pm 8 March. Exhibits can be collected between 3:00pm - 3:30pm on 9 March.
3.   Accepted entries are subject to the rules and regulations for all sections, as well as these additional conditions
4.   First prize winning exhibits at previous Bellarine Shows are not eligible.
5.   An exhibit cannot be entered in more than one class.
6.   All work must be appropriately finished.
7.   All section tickets must be firmly attached by safety pins or sewn where possible. NO DRESSMAKING PINS PLEASE.
8.   Judges decision is final
9.  Photographs taken of exhibits can and may be used for publicity purposes.

VAS Competition Rules
1.   Each exhibit entered must be the bona fide work of the exhibitor.
2.   Professionals are not eligible, which is defined as someone that works professionally or derives the greater percentage of their income in that craft, art form or technique.
3.   All work is to have been completed in the last 12 months prior to its entry at a local Show.
4.   The competition follows the three levels of competition: Show Level, Group Level and State Level.
5.   An exhibit having won at a Show will compete at the 2025 Group Final. The winning exhibit at the Group Final will then compete in the State Final at the 2025 Melbourne Royal Show.
6.   An exhibitor having won at Show Level is not eligible to enter the VAS crochet, embroidery, cross stitch knitting, patchwork or sewing competitions at any other Show until after the Group Final judging.
7.   An exhibitor is only eligible to represent one Group in the State Final.
8.   If for any reason a winner is unable to compete at Group or State Final Level, then the second placegetter is eligible to compete.
9.   An exhibit having won at State Final is no longer eligible to compete in the competition.
10. If an exhibitor is found to have won more than one Group Final the exhibitor must forfeit/refund all prizes and will be disqualified from exhibiting for 12 months

Crochet
3200  VAS Competition Item
1. A 3D item, no larger than 50cms on any one side, made from pure wool / wool blend or cotton, of any ply
2. Exhibitor to attach label from wool used or receipt from the woolen mill.


Embroidery
Needlework Tapestry (Canvas Work): Stitching covers the complete surface. Worked on Embroidery canvas - single or double thread or even-weave fabric; with cross stitch, half cross stitch, petit point stitch, embroidery any other canvas work stitch/s or combinations.
Petit Point: Petit Point is worked on fine canvas, linen or gauze with a count of not less than seven threads per centimetre. The background need not be stitched.
Counted Work: These embroideries are worked by counting the threads of fabric, such techniques include Assisi, Holbein, Blockwork, Drawn thread, cut and drawn, Hardanger etc.
Cross Stitch: Cross Stitch is a separate technique.
Surface Stitchery: Surface Stitchery refers to all embroideries worked freely across the surface of the fabric without the necessity of counting the threads.

3400   VAS Competition Item
1.  The exhibit to be an article of hand embroidery, any type, excluding Cross Stitch


Cross Stitch
3500   VAS Competition Item
1. The exhibit to be an article of cross stitch, any type, up to 60cms on all sides, including frame.
2. Minimal embellishments allowed.


Knitting
3900   VAS Competition Item
1.  A hand knitted blanket, not more than 1 metre on any one side
2.  Knitted in one piece, minimum of 5 different patterns
3.  Each exhibit must be made from pure wool/wool blend of any ply
4.  Exhibitor to attach label from wool used or receipt from the woolen mill


Patchwork
4400   VAS Competition Item
1. The exhibit is to be no larger than 90cm x 125cm
2. Machine/hand pieced and quilted by exhibitor only.
3. Minimal Embellishments. Small amount only, not to overpower patchwork.


Sewing
4600   VAS Competition Item
1.  Tote bag, up to a maximum of 30cm width x 40cm height, with a gusset depth of up to 20cm, using approximately 50% of recycled components.
2.  Sewn by machine
3.  May be hand finished
4.  Knitted/Crocheted items not acceptable