International Federation of Leather Guilds, Inc.
Categories and Guidelines for the Special Division Z
Official copy available upon request. Any errors or misunderstandings will be resolved by referring to the official hard copy.
***Awards received in Special Z will not count towards member advancement in any way***
Category Z
Class 1: Juniors - Anyone 18 years of age or younger.
Class 2: Seniors - Anyone 65 years of age or older.
Class 3: Beginners - Anyone with less than two (2) years experience in leathercraft.
Class 4: Handicapped - Anyone having visual or motor skill difficulties.
Class 5: Partnerships - Any item made by two (2) or more members 12&14
A member can compete in ONLY ONE of the following:
5-O - Open Division - the highest rated member is in Open Division
5-A - Advanced Division - The highest rated member is in Advanced Division
5-M - Masters Division - The highest rated member is in Master Division
5-GM - Grand Masters Division - The highest rted member in Grand Master Division
5-S - Special Division - All members are competing in Special Z Only.
Class 7: New Members - Open to new members who did not join a member guild in time to meet the 30-day deadline. ANY member competing in this class can NOT compete in any other Division. Any item entered in this class can NOT be entered at a later date in ANY Division within the IFoLG competition. END OF SPECIAL Z DIVISION
2023 IFoLG Competition
Established Classes & Rules
Published & Distributed ONLY by the Competition & Advancement Statistics Committees
FOOTNOTES, & GUIDELINES
1. All pictures must be Hand Tooled, properly hung or displayed. The frame and or mountings will not be considered as part of the picture. (Except in class A-9, H-7, & Q-5.)
2. Definition of uncolored: Nothing added to the leather in the form of dye, paint, stain, antique, or colored finishes. Any add of a color pigment or tint is an intentional process and will give cause to a disqualification. The use of a protective coat or top finish that is clear and has no tint is permitted. Absolutely NO COLOR or added synthetic part to this uncolored entry. Not even the size of a pin-head.
3.Picture sizes are determined by multiplying the average width by the average height in inches. (i.e. a 9” x 11” picture = 99 square inches, a 9” x 12” picture = 108 square inches.)
4. Definition of embossed: One visible layer of leather only. Raised by under-cutting, stretching, etc.
5. Definition of 3-dimensional: Use of more than one visible layer of leather or other material. Visible parts of picture must be 90% leather.
6. On all stamped articles Swivel Knife cuts for accent only (not to exceed 10% of the total surface area. Knife cuts not to be beveled except as border). Beveling accepted in conjunction with stamps. Each stamp tool cannot exceed three (3) square inches.
7. Not carved or stamped. Any type of leather. May be decorated by any combination of color, stitching, burning, beadwork, hardware, etc. NOT to include Braiding. Lacing an edge is NOT judged as Braiding.
8. Book covers & notebooks must contain book or paper pad. Ring binders must contain at least one sample page. Covers for digital devices must show evidence of operational capability.
9. Belts must include attached buckles and keeper(s) if necessary. Holes must be appropriately punched if a mechanical or trophy buckle is used.
10. Any technique including carving or stamping. Any leather combination. May be decorated by stitching, burning, beadwork, studs, conches, etc.
11. Jewelry boxes, cigar boxes, humidors, picture frames (note; frames cannot contain a leather picture). If a piece is made to hold something specific (i.e. paper towels, etc.). Please include it so that the piece will be functionally complete.
12. You can enter the Z-5 Class in Special Z Division only once (one time). Switching Partners (or teams) in order to enter several times is prohibited.
13. Please include a note listing what kind of horse & circumstance of use, (i.e. Roping, trail riding, cutting, etc.).
14. Items entered in the Z-5 Class of Special Z Division, shall be entered in the Division Rating of the highest rated partner, (i.e. Open, Advanced, Masters, or Special).
15. All and each item(s) entered for competition must be “Theme” related to Motor Cycle equipment and or Motor Cycle wearing apparel and must not be duplicated in any other Category and Class.
16. Braided Items: Entry must incorporate Braiding in the overall and total design. Braiding must incorporate 85% or greater of the competition item. Materials used for Braiding should be genuine leather, genuine rawhide, genuine animal long hair, or a combination of these products only. (No synthetics)
17. If Braiding is used for a-joining parts of a competition item or as part of a genuine (primary) leather competition entry where Braiding is NOT the overall design, then that Braided (secondary) portion of the entry should only be 15% or less of the total entry. If Judges estimate that the total Braided portion(s) is/are more than 15%, then this competition entry should not be disqualified because of a greater percentage of the secondary part(s). The Braided portion should only receive the maximum of 15% toward the total judgement/score.
This Footnote #17 shall also apply to any Braided entry using a genuine leather (secondary) portion of any kind as part of the entry. Secondary genuine leather should be 15% or less, however, if this secondary portion is estimated to be greater than 15%, the Judges’ consideration should be maximized at 15% toward the total consideration. Said entry should not be disqualified because of a greater percentage of secondary leather part(s).
JUDGING GUIDELINES
A. Lacing (single technique) for an edged effect or used to a-join general leather parts WILL NOT be judge as Braiding.
B. It is strongly recommended to remove any clear glass or plexiglass lense cover which might be a final part of a competition entry. If judging is made difficult as a result of a cover of any type, the entry item might not be judged. The Competition Committee will not modify your entry.
C. In the event of any mis-understanding, dispute, or interpretation of any Competition Rule at a time before, during, or after judging, the designated Head Judge shall and will have the final discussion of said dispute. The Head Judge shall have the authority to disqualify any competitor to any extent due to ill-mannered verbal or physical conduct.