The Company holds four competitions each year, to encourage members to explore and excel at new styles of embroidery. Entries are judged on design, technique, documentation, use of sources, use of materials and appropriateness for the time, country and style of the piece.
The competitions run on the Society year, with the winner announced at each Rowany Festival at Easter. The Company member with the highest overall score throughout the year becomes the Company Champion for the year following and receives a prize from our Patron.
Competitions are run in accordance with our Ordinances (section 4). There is no minimum number of entries for the competition
- ‘Works in progress’ may be entered
- All entries should include a completed Entry Form
- Entries are judged according to set criteria, which are also detailed on the Judging Form
- Physical entries are preferred, so that these can be displayed and admired at the event, but online entries are permitted (contact the Guildmaster.)
- Documentation is not required for competitions, but entries which include it will score higher (it accounts for 20% of the mark)
- You may request a formal grading on any competition entry (completed items only).
Upcoming competitions
The Company likes to set competitions at least a year in advance, to give people time to work on their projects.
Upcoming Competitions….
| Event | Competition |
| Autumn Crown, March 2025 | Wildcard (embroiderers choice) |
| Autumn Coronation 2025 | Any plaited stitch |
| Spring Crown 2025 | Weird and wonderful (grotesques) |
| Spring Coronation 2025 | Knots |
| Autumn Crown, March 2026 | Islamic regions embroidery |
| Autumn Coronation 2026 | Counted stitch |
| Spring Crown 2026 | Flora and/or Fauna |
| Spring Coronation 2026 | Metalwork |
Past competitions
The Company has held quarterly competitions since 1998. Details of topics, winners and champions are available at Competitions – past.