Frequently Asked Questions

WHAT ARE THE OBJECTIVES?

To promote the beauty and versatility of wool fabrics and yarns.
To encourage personal creativity in sewing, knitting and crocheting with wool fabrics and yarns.
To recognize creative skills.
To develop life skills, including: being responsible for one's self, being a good sport, accepting judge's decisions, and learning about and appreciating diversity.

WHO CAN ENTER?

Preteens, age 12 and under
Juniors, ages 13-16
Seniors, ages 17-24
Adults, age 25 and older

The category you enter will be determined by your age as of December 31 of entry year.

Anyone regardless of race, creed or sex who meets age and other guidelines may participate. Contestants must select, construct and model their own garments. Made for others entries: the intended wearer must model garments.

WHAT FABRICS/YARNS CAN I USE?

100% wool or wool blend (minimum of 60% wool or specialty fiber) for each fashion fabric or yarn used. Specialty wool fibers include mohair, cashmere, alpaca, camel, llama and vicuna.
The entire garment body (back, front and sleeves) must be wool or wool-blend fabric.
Trims, facings, linings, interfacings and underlinings may be fabrics other than wool or wool blends.

WHERE CAN I PURCHASE WOOL OR WOOL-BLEND FABRICS?

Local fabric stores
Mail-order resources
Internet sites
Resource listings: sewing magazines, ASI Web site, Mohair Council of America, State Directors

HOW CAN I BE CERTAIN MY FABRICS/YARNS ARE WOOL?

Self-testing is recommended:
Place a 1" fabric square in 1 cup new Clorox bleach for several hours. 100% wool will have no residue; wool blends will have fibers remaining.
Note: Finishes and other natural fibers may affect the test results.
Additional testing will be done prior to the state and national contests.

WHAT ARE THE JUDGING CRITERIA?

Appropriateness to contestant's lifestyle
Coordination of fabric/yarn with garment style and design
Contestant's presentation
Construction quality
Creativity
Judging is private and the judges' decision is final.

HOW CAN I ENTER?

You must participate in the state where you live or attend school. You may enter more than one garment, using a separate form for each entry. Past National Junior and Senior winners may not compete again in the same age division. Past National Adult photo winner may not compete again for 3 years. Complete and mail attached entry form as directed, with non-refundable fee: $10 Preteens, $10 Juniors, Seniors, Adults, Made for Others, Fashion/Apparel Design Attach a 5"x5" sample of each fabric or knitted, crocheted or woven swatch, to each entry form

WHAT ARE THE PRIZES?

Junior and Senior state winners advance to the National Competition.
Adult state winners send 5"x7" photos and video (maximum 3 minutes) of themselves wearing garments to national photo competition. National Adult winner receives a trip to model in the National Competition.
Fabrics, sewing books, equipment and notions are awarded at State and National levels.
Scholarships are awarded at National level:

       $ 2,000 American Sheep Industry Women (Junior & Senior Winners)
       $ 1,000 Mohair Council of America (Junior & Senior Award for a complete garment made of Mohair)
       $ 1,000 Pendleton Woolen Mills (Junior Winner)
       $ 1,000 American Wool Council Fashion/Apparel Design

SPECIAL NATIONAL AWARDS:

Exemplary Construction -- Creative Craft Group/Sew News Magazine
Machine Embroidery -- Creative Craft Group/Creative Machine Embroidery Magazine
Use of Claire Shaeffer's "Custom Collection" Pattern from Vogue Pattern Company -- Claire Shaeffer
Use of a "Wild Ginger" Software Pattern -- Wild Ginger Software, Inc.
Use of a Kwik Sew Pattern -- Kwik Sew Pattern Company
Use of 100% American Merino Wool -- American Delaine Merino Record Association

For additional information, send questions and a self-addressed, stamped envelope to:
National Make It With Wool Competition
Marie Lehfeldt
Box 175
Lavina, MT 59046
E-mail: levi@midrivers.com