Artists are invited to apply for Uncommon Threads 2021. This incredible art-to-wear event showcases the talent of fiber and jewelry artists. This year's event will take place over three days.

For fiber artists, it is an opportunity to showcase a collection of 3-5 garments on the runway and have additional pieces for sale at the event. There are artist booths available for artists who wish to attend in-person, or artists may submit up to 30 items into the Fine Line Managed Booth.

Artists whose work is in the runway show and artists who put work in the Fine Line Managed Booth do not have to be present for the event. Artists who wish to participate as an Independent Booth Artist can attend all three days or just Fashion Weekend.

Uncommon Threads 2021 is open to all fiber and jewelry artists aged 18 and older who reside in the United States.

This is an indoor event, which will take place on the following dates:

Friday, October 22 (6 pm - 10 pm)
Saturday, October 23 (10 am – 5 pm)
Sunday, October 24 (10 am - 3 pm) 

Friday, October 22 (6 pm – 10 pm)
Cocktail Party Event (includes Runway Show)
Friday evening will be a cocktail event held at the Q Center, 1405 North 5th Avenue in St. Charles, IL. The evening will include the runway show and an abbreviated boutique area. Fine Line will be selling tickets for both in-person and virtual attendees. In-person sales will occur during the event, and online sales will begin after the runway show and continue through the weekend.

Fashion Weekend.
Saturday, October 23 (Hours in-person 10 am – 5 pm)
Sunday, October 24 (Hours in-person 10 am – 3 pm)
Uncommon Threads will continue as Fashion Weekend at Fine Line Creative Arts Center, located approximately 4 miles from the Q Center. All runway garments, the Fine Line Managed Booth and Independent Artist Booths will be available to the general public for two full days of in-person shopping. There will also be an online component to this event, available for some of the artist categories.

Please read the artist categories carefully.

Each artist may select one category from the following:

• Runway Artist (with automatic inclusion to the Fine Line Managed Booth) See Section A
• Runway Artist and Independent Artist Booth (Friday Night & Fashion Weekend) See Section B
• Runway Artist and Independent Artist Booth (Fashion Weekend only) See Section C
• Independent Artist Booth (Friday Night and Fashion Weekend) See Section D
• Independent Artist Booth (Fashion Weekend only) See Section E
• Fine Line Managed Booth See Section F

A jury fee of $25.00 will apply to all categories. Addition fees will apply to Independent Booth Artists.

Runway artist awards:
Any artist who is accepted as a runway artist is eligible for the following awards:

Kavanagh Award, Best of Show, $250
Jurors' Choice Award, Best Body of Work, $200
People's Choice Award, $100

Section A
Runway Artist
Participation is open to all one-of-a-kind wearable art in any fiber-related media. Work represented must be an original concept and executed by the artist. All items must be for sale. Jurors will select work based on originality and runway suitability. When designing garments, please give some thought as to how they will look on the runway.

• Artists may exhibit 3 to 5 women's and/or men's garments/ensembles on the runway.
• Children's garments will not be accepted.
• Only garments in the media selected by the jurors will be accepted for the runway, e.g., do not submit handwoven if your application images were of knitwear.
• All artists in this category are required to submit five (5) images.
• Images 1-4 should be of four different garments.
• Image 5 should be of a detail or a close shot of image #4.
• Images need not be of garments to be shown but must represent the fiber media/style you intend to submit.
• Images must be of work completed in the last two years.
• Accepted Runway Artists without an Independent Artist Booth may (at no additional cost) submit up to 10 additional garments and up to 30 accessory items for sale in the Fine Line Managed Booth. All accessory items for sale in the Fine Line Managed Booth must be priced below $250.
• All runway items will be available for sale after the runway show, both in-person and as part of our online event.
• If accepted into the show, you will need to provide images, descriptions, etc., of your work. This information will be added to the online area of this event. You will also have the option to have your additional garments and accessory items online (see section G for more information).
• See Section G for additional information that applies to ALL artists.
• Artists in this category are not required to be present during the event.

The Artists Committee reserves the right to make a final selection of the garments included on the runway.  
Receiving & removing runway garments & accessories: Items may be hand-delivered to Fine Line or shipped at the artist's expense. The artist is responsible for return shipping charges. Shipping instructions will be provided upon acceptance.

Section B
Runway Artist and Independent Artist Booth for Friday Night & Fashion Weekend
If you are applying for a runway spot, you can also apply for an Independent Artist Booth for both Friday night and the Fashion Weekend. Your acceptance as a runway artist DOES NOT guarantee an Independent Artist Booth Space. Participation is open to all wearable art of original concept in any fiber-related media. A limited number of 10'x10' booths (size may vary depending on space) are available. Space will be allocated by the Boutique Committee with all decisions final.

• Artists may exhibit 3 to 5 women's and/or men's garments/ensembles on the runway.
• Children's garments will not be accepted.
• Only garments in the media selected by the jurors will be accepted for the runway, e.g., do not submit handwoven if your application images were of knitwear.
• All artists in this category are required to submit ten (10) images. The first five (5) will be used to Jury your runway application; the second five (5) will be used for your Independent Artist Booth.
• Images 1-4 (runway) should be of four different garments.
• Image 5 (runway) should be of one detail or a close shot of image #4.
• Images 1-5 need not be of garments to be shown on the runway but must represent the fiber media you intend to submit.
•  Images must be of work completed in the last two years.
• Images 6 - 9 (Independent Artist Booth) must show the quality and type of work that will be sold in your booth space.
• Image 10 must be an image of your booth space. An image of your booth space is mandatory. Please enter 0.00 price and dimensions for this image.
• There is no limit to the number or price of items that you can sell in your booth.
• Artists must staff their booths and be responsible for their inventories.
• Your space on Friday night at the Q Center will be an abbreviated version of your booth space. Tables and chairs will be supplied for Friday night. You will need to provide your own racking, should you require it. You will be able to set up at the Q Center late afternoon, around 4 pm. This is an indoor event.
• You will be able to set up your booth space, should you choose to do so, at Fine Line between 9 am and 3 pm on Friday, October 22, in preparation for Fashion Weekend (October 23 and 24). You will not be able to set up at Fine Line after the evening event. If you do not set up on Friday during the day, you will need to set up on Saturday morning before 10 am, on Saturday, October 23, when the event opens. This is an indoor event.
• If accepted by the Jury as an Independent Artist Booth, an additional $65 booth fee to reserve a booth will be due. This fee will be due after acceptance into Uncommon Threads.
• All runway items will be available for sale after the runway show, both in-person and as part of our online event. If accepted into the show, you will need to provide images, descriptions, etc., of your work. This information will be added to the online area of this event. In addition to the runway items, you will have the option to have up to 30 additional items online (see section G for more information).
• See Section G for additional information that applies to ALL artists.

The Artists Committee reserves the right to make a final selection of the garments to be included on the runway.
Receiving & removing runway garments: Items may be hand-delivered to Fine Line or shipped at the artist's expense. The artist is responsible for return shipping charges. Shipping instructions will be provided upon acceptance.

Section C
Runway Artist and Independent Artist Booth for Fashion Weekend

If you are applying for a runway spot, you can also apply for an Independent Artist Booth for the Fashion Weekend only. Your acceptance as a runway artist DOES NOT guarantee an Independent Artist Booth Space. Participation is open to all wearable art of original concept in any fiber-related media. A limited number of 10'x10' booths (size may vary depending on space) are available. Space will be allocated by the Boutique Committee with all decisions final.

If you are applying under this category, the following criteria applies:

• Artists may exhibit 3 to 5 women's and/or men's garments/ensembles on the runway.
• Children's garments will not be accepted.
• Only garments in the media selected by the jurors will be accepted for the runway, e.g., do not submit handwoven if your application images were of knitwear.
• All artists in this category are required to submit ten (10) images. The first five (5) will be used to Jury your runway application; the second five (5) will be used for your Independent Artist Booth.
• Images 1-4 (runway) should be of four different garments.
• Image 5 (runway) should be of one detail or a close shot of image #4.
• Images 1-5 need not be of garments to be shown on the runway but must represent the fiber media you intend to submit.
• Images must be of work completed in the last two years.
• Images 6 - 9 (Independent Artist Booth) must show the quality and type of work that will be sold in your booth space.
• Image 10 must be an image of your booth space. An image of your booth space is mandatory. Please enter 0.00 price and dimensions for this image.
• There is no limit to the number or price of items that you can sell in your booth.
• Artists must staff their booths and be responsible for their inventories.
• You will be able to set up your booth space, should you choose to do so, at Fine Line between 9 am and 3 pm on Friday, October 22, in preparation for Fashion Weekend (October 23 and 24). If you do not set up on Friday during the day, you will need to set up on Saturday morning before 10 am, on Saturday, October 23, when the event opens. This is an indoor event; your setup can remain up for the duration of the show.
• If accepted by the Jury as an Independent Artist Booth, an additional $40 booth fee to reserve a booth will be due. This fee will be due after acceptance into Uncommon Threads.
• All runway items will be available for sale after the runway show, both in-person and as part of our online event. If accepted into the show, you will need to provide images, descriptions, etc., of your work as a runway artist. This information will be added to the online area of this event. (see section G for more information).
• If accepted into the show in this category, you will not have the option to have up to 30 additional items from your booth for sale online during the event.
• See Section G for additional information that applies to ALL artists.

The Artists Committee reserves the right to make a final selection of the garments to be included on the runway.
Receiving & removing runway garments: Items may be hand-delivered to Fine Line or shipped at the artist's expense. The artist is responsible for return shipping charges. Shipping instructions will be provided upon acceptance.

Section D
Independent Artist Booth Friday Night and Fashion Weekend

Participation is open to all wearable art of original concept in any fiber-related media or jewelry. A limited number of 10'x10' (size may vary depending on space) booths are available. Space will be allocated by the Boutique Committee with all decisions final.

If you are applying under this category, the following criteria applies:

• Artists must submit five (5) images.
• Images 1- 4 must show the quality and type of work that will be sold in your booth space.
• Image 5 must be of your booth space. An image of your booth space is mandatory. Please enter 0.00 price and dimensions for this image.
• There is no limit to the number or price of items that you can sell in your booth.
• Artists must staff their booths and be responsible for their inventories.
• Your space on Friday night at the Q Center will be an abbreviated version of your booth space. Tables and chairs will be supplied for Friday night. You will need to provide your own racking, should you require it. You will be able to set up at the Q Center late afternoon, around 4 pm. This is an indoor event.
• You will be able to set up your booth space, should you choose to do so, at Fine Line between 9 am and 3 pm on Friday, October 22, in preparation for Fashion Weekend (October 23 and 24). If you do not set up on Friday during the day, you will need to set up on Saturday morning before 10 am, on Saturday, October 23, when the event opens. This is an indoor event; your setup can remain up for the duration of the show.
• If accepted by the Jury as an Independent Artist Booth, an additional $65 booth fee to reserve a booth will be due. This fee will be due after acceptance into Uncommon Threads.
• If accepted into the show, under this category, you will have the option to have 30 of your items sold online for the duration of this event (see section G for more information).
• See Section G for additional information that applies to ALL artists.

Section E
Independent Artist Booth Fashion Weekend

Participation is open to all wearable art of original concept in any fiber-related media or jewelry.  A limited number of 10'x10' (size may vary depending on space) booths are available. Space will be allocated by the Boutique Committee with all decisions final.

• Artists must submit five (5) images.
• Images 1- 4 must show the quality and type of work that will be sold in your booth space.
• Image 5 must be of your booth space. An image of your booth space is mandatory. Please enter 0.00 price and dimensions for this image.
• There is no limit to the number or price of items that you can sell in your booth.
• Artists must staff their booths and be responsible for their inventories.
• If accepted by the Jury as an Independent Artist Booth, an additional $40 booth fee to reserve a booth will be due. This fee will be due after acceptance into Uncommon Threads.
• If accepted into the show in this category, you will not have the option to have items for sale online during the event.
• See Section G for additional information that applies to ALL artists.

Section F
Fine Line Managed Booth

Work exhibited must be a functional accessory of original concept and executed by the artist. We define accessories as items that enhance a wardrobe, such as scarves, shawls, jewelry, purses, hats, etc.

If you are applying under this category, the following criteria applies:

• You may submit up to 30 accessory items for sale.
• You do not have to be present for any of the show days. Fine Line volunteers will staff the Managed Booth.
• All items will be available both in-person and online.
• All items must be a functional accessory of original concept and executed by the artist.
• No copies are eligible.
• All items must be priced below $250.
• Artists must submit five (5) images.
• The images must show the quality and type of work to be exhibited.
• If accepted into the show, you will have the option to have your 30 items sold online, as well as in-person, for the duration of this event. If you choose to have your work online, you will be required to provide images, descriptions, etc., of your work that will be added to the online (see section G for more information).
• Artists in this category are not required to be present during the event.
• See Section G for additional information that applies to ALL artists.

The Boutique Committee will make final selections of work to be used in the show. Shipping instructions will be provided upon acceptance.

Section G
The following criteria applies to ALL artists:

• All artists need to provide a brief artist statement to provide insight into the artist's process and inspiration.
•  Some categories allow artists the option to have an online presence during Uncommon Threads 2021. All items included in the Runway show MUST be online for the duration of the event. To facilitate online sales, artists in these categories will need to supply images, descriptions, dimensions and prices for ALL their online items.:
  • Runway (Category A, B and C) – Must supply images, descriptions, dimensions, etc.
  • Fine Line Managed Booth Artist (Category A and F) - Optional online presence
  • Booth Artists attending Friday Night (category B and D) - Optional online presence.
• All artists are required to pay a $25 non-refundable jury fee to apply to Uncommon Threads.
• Any artist applying for booth space will be required to pay a booth fee of $65.00 or $40.00, depending on their choice of locations. This fee is due after the artist has been accepted into the show.
• All work must be for sale. Fine Line retains a 35% commission on all pieces sold. Please consider this commission when pricing your work.
• Fine Line handles ALL sales.
• Work sent for the runway, the Fine Line Managed Booth and the extra garment area will be insured while in possession of Fine Line. Artists are responsible for insuring their work while in transit. ​

Calendar for All Artists

Mon, June 7 Online application deadline for all entries
Mid-June Artists Notified 
Fri, August 30 Independent Vendor Booth payment and options order form due
Wed, September 29 - All Runway garments due (documentation will be required approx. one week before).
Wed, October 6 - All Fine Line Managed Booth items are due (documentation will be required approx. one week before).
Mon October 11-  Independent Artist Booth Online items due (documentation will be required approx. one week before)
Fri-Sat, Oct 22-23  - Independent Booth Artist setup at Q Center and/or Fine Line
Thurs, October 28 -  Pick-up of hand-delivered items by 5 pm

Application Requirements

Eligibility Criteria