New York State Make It With Wool Contest

Congratulations to Emily Koss for winning the national title of First Place Junior 2010 Wool Ambassador!  Find more information below from the ASI press release:

"......Participants of the 62nd annual national Make It With Wool competition constructed patterns to create their own woolen works of art. The contestants presented their winning ensembles at the American Sheep Industry Association (ASI)/National Lamb Feeders Association annual convention on Jan. 23. The designers taking top honors at this year's national competition were Emilee Koss of Clarence Center, N.Y., and Carrie Holter of Jefferson, Md.
 
Koss won the title of First Place Junior 2010 Wool Ambassador by being inspired by fashions from the past. She chose to make a classic, knee-length coat with pockets and top-stitched princess seams. In addition, she constructed a sleeveless hot-pink dyed wool-fabric dress, which was the inspiration for her ensemble. Koss has been sewing since the age of 6 and hopes to have a career in fashion. In addition to other prizes, Koss's winnings included a $1,000 scholarship from Pendleton Woolen Mills and a $500 scholarship from ASI Women. The junior division was open to youth ages 13 to 16."

Saturday, October 17, 2009

The Make It with Wool Contest is an exciting opportunity for anyone who likes to work with wool; sewing, weaving, felting, knitting or crocheting. The contest has proven to be fun and educational.

The Make It With Wool NYS Representative is Meegan Veeder-Shave.  Contact her at:

475 N. Quaker Lane
Hyde Park, NY 12538
Home Phone: 845-229-5728
meegan.shave@wappingersschools.org

2009 National Make It With Wool Competition

**National Finals**

January 21-23, 2010
Nashville, TN
-Local & State Competitions -
August-December 2009

The New York State Make it with Wool Contest will be held Saturday, October 17, 2009 from 10am to 2pm at the 37th Annual Sheep and Wool Festival at the Dutchess County Fairgrounds in Rhinebeck, New York.  The festival is a two day event (Oct. 17 and 18 ).  There are many vendors selling wool and fiber related products.

The Make It With Wool prizes are sponsored by the NYS Sheep & Wool Festival.

There are five divisions:    (Age as of  Dec. 31, 2009)               

• Pre-teens, age 12 and under- can make a dress, jumper, skirt, vest, shirt, sweater or combination of garments

The following can make a one piece garment like a dress, jumper or outerwear (cape, coat, jacket) or a two piece, or ensemble- 3 or more pieces work together at one time   

• Juniors, ages 13-16
• Senior, ages 17-24

• Adult age 25 years and older
• Made for others (any age) - must be worn by the person for whom the garment is intended

All ages are as of December 31, 2009

The garment must have been completed after January 1, 2009

Judging Criteria:  (Judging is private and decisions are  final)

• Appropriateness to contestants lifestyle
• Coordination of fabric/yarn with garment style and design
• Contestants presentation
• Construction quality
• Creativity

How can I be certain my fabrics/yarns are wool?
Check the fiber content by performing this self-test:
Place a 1" fabric square in 1 cup NEW CLOROX bleach. 100% wool will begin to disintegrate within 1 hour and should have no residue after several hours. Wool blends will have fibers remaining. Note: Fabric finishes and other natural fibers may affect the test results. The fabric will be tested prior to the state and national contests. A nominal fee will be charged. Contact your state director for more information. (Reserve fabric for these tests)

The contest is divided into three parts: modeling the outfit, and garments judged on and off the contestant. Garments may be sewn, knitted (by hand or knitting machine), crocheted, or felted from fiber of 100% wool or wool blend (minimum 60% wool or specialty wool fiber) for each fashion fabric or yarn used.  Specialty wool fibers include mohair, cashmere, alpaca, camel, and llama. Trims, facings, linings, interfacings and underlinings may be fabrics other that wool or wool blends.  There will also be a modeling session, time will be postponed at check in desk.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS IS OCTOBER 1, 2009

This year the National Make It with Wool National Finals will be held on January 21-23, 2010 in Nashville, TN.  New York State contestants must enter, be judged and selected from the state level competition in order to qualify for the national contest.

Find out more about the National Competition Below:

• General Information
• 2009/2010 National Brochure

If you are interested in participating, contact:
Meegan Veeder-Shave
475 N. Quaker Lane
Hyde Park, NY 12538
Home Phone: 845-229-5728
meegan.shave@wappingersschools.org