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FEBRUARY 4, 2005

 

National Make It Yourself With Wool Winners

Chosen at 2005 ASI/NLFA Convention in Reno

 

 

For More Information Contact:

Marie Lehfeldt, MIYWW Coordinator (406) 636-2731, levi@midrivers.com

Amy Conner (303) 771-3500, ext. 55, or amy@sheepusa.org*

(*Photos Available Upon Request)

 

Denver, Colo. -- Megan Shier of Chenoa, Ill., and Amanda Ryen of Belgrade, Mont., took top honors at the 2005 Make It Yourself With Wool National Finals and Awards Program held Jan. 29, in Reno, Nev. This event was held in conjunction with the 2005 Convention of the American Sheep Industry Association (ASI) and National Lamb Feeders Association.

 

Fifteen?year-old Shier won the title of First Place Junior 2005 Wool Ambassador with her red wool pea coat, lightweight wool gauze wrap-top, navy and red pinstripe pants and a 100-percent navy Merino wool hat and scarf. Shier?s winning included a $1,000 scholarship from Pendleton Woolen Mills, a $500 scholarship from the American Sheep Industry Women, wool fabric from Britex of San Francisco, mohair fabric from Dolores? Unique Designs, Pattern Master Curves software from Wild Ginger Software, a sheep pelt from Stockman Bank, Billings, Mont., and additional wool fabric from Pendleton, Woolrich or Franetta. The junior division was open to youth ages 13 to 16.

 

Amanda Ryen from Belgrade, Mont., was selected First Place Senior 2005 Wool Ambassador. Ryen?s winning creation was a black wool day-to-night ensemble. Ryen wore beneath her black wool poncho featuring ruby red and fuchsia pink yarns body-skimming low-rise pants and a halter top made from cashmere-blend stretch wool. Ryen?s first place winnings included a $1,500 scholarship from the American Sheep Industry Women, wool fabric from Britex of San Francisco, mohair fabric from Dolores? Unique Designs, Pattern Master Boutique software from Wild Ginger Software, a sheep pelt from Stockman Bank, Billings, Mont., and additional wool fabric from Pendleton, Woolrich or Franetta.  The senior division was open to youth ages 17 to 24.

 

Jessica Franklin, an 8th grader from Neenah, Wis., and 23 year-old Amanda Brown from Easton, Md., won First Runner-Up Junior Division and Senior Division, respectively, with their three-piece outfits. Franklin modeled her black wool vest, A-line houndstooth skirt with a contoured front and red single-knit turtleneck. Brown modeled her taupe, below-the-waist pants, cream V-neck long sleeve knit top and plaid shawl.  

 

Franklin?s first runner-up ranking earned her an embroidery machine from Husqvarna/Viking, a $250 savings bond from Helle Rambouillet, an Ott-Light from Harper Livestock Co., wool fabric and coordinating buttons from Lacy Lovelies, Pattern Master Curves software from Wild Ginger Software and additional wool fabric from Pendleton, Woolrich or Franetta. Brown won a creative embroidery machine from Pfaff Sales and Marketing, a $250 savings bond from Brown Sheep Co., an Ott-Light from American & Efird, wool fabric and coordinating buttons from Lacy Lovelies, Fast Fit sewing book from Power Sewing, Pattern Master Curves software from Wild Ginger Software and additional fabric from Pendleton, Woolrich or Franetta.

 

Gretchen Weaver from Columbus, Ohio, was named the 2005 National Make It Yourself With Wool Adult Winner. She says she gathered together all of the special ingredients she needed to create a great wool pantsuit: a pinch of soft tweed and a dash of mink to create a truly elegant look. Weaver won an all-expense-paid trip to the National MIYWW Finals Competition, a sheep pelt from the New Mexico Woolgrowers Auxiliary and wool fabric.

 

A total of 28 junior and 26 senior finalists modeled their creations at the national competition. A total of 1,088 contestants nationwide entered the competition at the state level and utilized an estimated 3,200 yards of wool and 630 skeins of yarn to create their garments.

 

Other winners and their awards include:

• Carla Bianca Oster, Houston, Texas, Fashion/Apparel Design Award;
• Marie Neuenschwander, Berne, Ind., $500 cash, Sew News Exemplary Construction Award;
• Jessie Bennion, Cokeville, Wyo., White Sewing Machine, Vogue/Butterick Pattern Award;
• Rachel Siegel, Lebanon, Penn., $125 cash, Use of Claire Shaeffer Pattern Award;
• Elizabeth Horner, Devils Lake, N.D., $1,000 Scholarship, Mohair Council of America;
• Alexia Klinghammer, Dimock, S.D., $200 savings bond, Mohair Council of America;
• Stephanie Barker, Hillsboro, Ohio, $100 savings bond, Mohair Council of America; and
• Amanda Brown, Easton, Md., $50 saving bond, Mohair Council of America.

Marie Lehfeldt of Lavina, Mont., coordinated the event for the tenth consecutive year.

 

ASI is a national organization supported by 42 state sheep associations, benefiting the interests of nearly 67,000 sheep producers.

 

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