Got my assessment

[Mabel Figworthy]

The RSN sent me the assessment for my 1st module (Jacobean) today - 94% (that means I passed )

Lexi was mentioned by name in the assessment, her head is quite turned...

[wendywombat]

So very well done
That is fantastic. you must feel over the moon by this!
Celebrations in order I think.

[Steam.Jo]

Well Done

That piece looks gorgeous

Jo

[Mabel Figworthy]

Celebrations in order I think.

DH has set aside a bottle of bubbly for tonight

[agi]

Wow, congratulations! 94 %, that is not only a pass but it is a big A, isn't it? Well done, Mabel.

[Mabel Figworthy]

It's a "Distinction" - I'll take that!

[Podolyanka]

Congratulations, Mabel! That case when Distinction is well deserved.

[fccs]

Congratulaions!

[rcperryls]

A very well deserved Distinction!! I would have give it 100+%, but then again perhaps I'm biased but I think it looks perfect!

Carole

[Squirrel]

A huge WELL DONE Mabel and an ear scratch to Lexi too.

[Serinde]

Many congratulations, Mabel. And a Distinction to boot! Very impressive.

[Mabel Figworthy]

For anyone who may be interested, I wrote in a bit more detail about how the assessment works, and what I learnt from it, on FoF

[wendywombat]

Really interesting to read. Thank you!
To my untrained eye your Jacobean Example looks perfect. I can understand the reasoning behind the assessors comments but I feel that a piece of embroidery, in what ever discipline, should have an individuality about it. If some of the shading looks "stripey" that is part of the uniqueness of the design and construction.

I, as a member of this Forum, am Proud of your achievement!

[Mabel Figworthy]

Thanks Wendy . I would agree in general that individuality does not detract from a piece of embroidery, and in fact the assessors mentioned that they liked the unusual addition of a cat so they are also of that mind, but it is an exam piece so they do have to comment on the technical aspects, like stripiness in long & short stitch, and it's helpful in improving technically. If, after that, I decide to go stripy because I want that effect, then of course I can, but as I used to tell my English students, it's easier to diverge from the correct/standard way if you have actually mastered the standard way first

[rcperryls]

Really interesting to read. Thank you!
To my untrained eye your Jacobean Example looks perfect. I can understand the reasoning behind the assessors comments but I feel that a piece of embroidery, in what ever discipline, should have an individuality about it. If some of the shading looks "stripey" that is part of the uniqueness of the design and construction.

I, as a member of this Forum, am Proud of your achievement!

I agree completely with Wendy! I understand what you are saying and am very sure you have taken their comments to heart, but am very glad to know that you are proud of your achievement (which it mostly certainly is a great one). I personally think it is worth a gold medal! And I'm positive Lexi will agree with us.

Carole

[richardandtracy]

I was fascinated to see the comments. In some ways they confirm my feeling that the RSN has developed not one iota since the mediaeval period.

However nothing is unfair, just extremely rigidly sticking to the mandated scheme. Flexibility shown is zero.

I well say, under those conditions, 90% or more is absolutely stupendous. And completely warranted with your stitching.

Regards,

Richard.

[Mabel Figworthy]

Thanks Richard. My husband says he completely agrees with you! He is much more upset about the mounting points than I am, bless him - of course I find it annoying but they are not the points that are important to me.

However, to try and find out why this slackening of the fabric happened, and in order to prevent it from happening in future modules, I bounced it off my main tutor Angela. Did I mention I got the piece back last Sturday? And yes, it had definitely gone ridiculously slack in places. Anyway, she replied:

"I am at a loss seeing your piece and how it has relaxed in such a short time. I remember going through everything with you in the mounting process and it all looked well executed at the time, so I don’t understand why this would have happened in such a short time."

Which is all the reassurance I need - it confirms that it wasn't just me thinking well of my work

[Mabel Figworthy]

You may remember that way back in September I got back the assessment for Bruce (who is now in the process of being framed, by the way), and last weekend I finally wrote to the RSN with some questions and comments (having been encouraged to do so by the Head of Day & Evening Classes with whom I had a really nice chat at the K&S Show). Anne Butcher, Head of Teaching, wrote back immediately, asked for some close-up pictures, and said she would try to answer my questions fully and cover everything I mentioned. I'll let you know what happens!

[Roland]

Congratulations. It’s a fabulous piece.

[Serinde]

@ Richard. Not medieval (you should see the back of their work!). But Victorian. And that really does explain the compulsion towards a particular aesthetic and the manic insistence on their particular set of criteria. Bulwark against the rot, don't you know.

However, as Mabel has said elsewhere, one has to learn the "language" properly (whatever that means to the teachers) before improvising.

Must say that the slackening of the fabric foxes me, too. I wonder how long they had kept it, and under what controlled conditions (or not...) Perhaps they need to have a confidential note from the tutor along with the piece? Or perhaps the material isn't as well produced as in the past, and isn't up to scratch?

However! Congratulations, Mabel. Achieving more than 90% -- having dropped so few marks -- is one heck of an achievement!