Pennsylvania Make It With Wool Competition 2012

The 2012 Pennsylvania Make It With Wool Competition was held in Somerset , PA , on October 20, 2012.  The Junior & Senior winners will travel in January to San Antonio , TX , to compete in the 2013 National Make It With Wool Competition.

 A tradition for over 60 years, the Pennsylvania Make It With Wool Competition was held at St. Paul ’s Presbyterian Church, Somerset , Pennsylvania .  Twenty-four contestants participated in this year’s state competition.  The contest encourages creativity and teaches life skills to those who participate.

 The nationwide competition was started to encourage the use of wool fibers in making handmade garments.  The purpose is to focus attention on the beauty and versatility of wool.  It can be used for sewing, knitting, and crocheting from casual to formal attire.  Wool regulates the body’s temperature, absorbs moisture, and is resistant to flames.

 In Pennsylvania , the Pennsylvania Sheep and Wool Growers Association, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, American Sheep Industry Women, and American Sheep Industry Association sponsor the contest.  The generosity of numerous other businesses and individuals also contribute to the success of the competition every year by providing gifts for contestants and prizes for winners of the contest.

 Contestants may participate in the contest by constructing a garment made of at least 60% wool, either by sewing, crocheting, knitting, or weaving.  There are five divisions in which to compete:  Pre-Teen (ages 12 and under); Junior (ages 13-16); Senior (ages 17-24); Adult (ages 25 and older); and Made for Others (any age), where the garment is made for someone other than the person who did the constructing.

 In the pre-teen division, Elizabeth Bruner of Indiana County took First place with her wool jumper made with Easy to Sew Simplicity pattern.  Second place was Rebecca Schaefer of Beaver County in a poncho, vest, and slacks outfit. 

 The junior division runner-up was Katherine Porter of Bradford County with her Tommy Hilfiger inspired ensemble.  Angela Villanueva of Lebanon County will represent Pennsylvania again this year in the junior division at the national contest.  Angela won with her knit dress of naturally variegated gray rescue sheep fleece..

Gabrielle Augustine of Carbon County was the winner in the senior division with her fashionable grey Bagdley Mischka pencil dress and variegated purple shawl.  Gabrielle didn’t stop there; she created her second entry that was the runner-up.  This outfit was a three piece ensemble.  She will also travel again to the national contest.

 Sharon Donahoe of Bedford County placed first in the adult division wearing a three piece ensemble that featured a fully-lined, Chanel Jacket, Anne Klein fully-lined, loose-fitting pants, and a Badgley Mischka blouse. There was a 3-way tie for second place – Kathy Augustine of Carbon County , Vernyce Dannells of Philadelphia County , and Joan Klein of Beaver County .

 In the Made for Others, there was another 3-way tie for second place – Joan Klein of Beaver   County made an outfit for her 95 year old mother Emilie Wells, Rebecca Schaefer of Beaver County   made a matching outfit for her younger sister Jordan, and Kathy Adams of Indiana County made an outfit for her Godson – John Clark Bruner.  Sharon Donahoe of Bedford County was first place winner with an ice fishing outfit she made for her daughter Kristie Corle.

 Other contestants from around the state of PA were as follows:

 Preteens: Sombre Carleton, Leah Flick, & Maggie Townsend-Beaver County , Hannah Scannell-Lebanon County and Jade Wilson-Crawford County

 Junior:  Arianna Carleton, Rediet Schaefer, & Emily Young-Beaver County, Stephanie Augustine-Carbon County, Katelin Young-Adams County

 State winners in the junior and senior divisions are eligible to go on to the national competition which will be held in San Antonio , TX , in January.  The adult winner will submit a video, picture, and their garment to be judged.  If chosen as the top state winner, she will also travel to the national competition in San Antonio .

 Jodell Antram and Virginia Rhoads are the directors of the state event.  Peggy Black, Marie Kieffer, and Kathy Twigg served as judge with the assistance of Bert Antram keeping time for the competition.  MC for the fashion show was Virginia Rhoads.