Pennsylvania Make It With Wool Competition 2013

Mothers and Daughters took top honors at the 2013 Pennsylvania Make It With Wool Competition that was held in Somerset, PA, on October 19, 2013.  The Junior & Senior winners will travel in January to Charleston, SC to compete in the 2014 National Make It With Wool Competition.

Rachel Siegel of Lebanon was the winner in the Senior division with her outfit that she made for her brother’s upcoming wedding.  She used a burnout wool that she embellished to create a wrap.  Her black wool elastane jacket and skirt featured couture construction techniques and waist detail.  A unique wool/metallic blend with mechanical stretch was Rachel’s finishing item for a glitzy fitted top with woven front detail.  Her mother Linda Siegel took top honors in the Adult division.  Her black and gray ensemble, with raglan-sleeved cashmere, mink, and wool coat, lined blazer, and tailored slacks.

Sharon Donahoe of Bedford made a fully lined Claire Shaeffer Couture jacket and Vogue slacks outfit for her daughter Kristie Corle and took first place in the Made for Others category.  Joan Klein of Darlington took second place with a plaid cape and black slacks outfit she made for her mother 96 year old Emilie Wells.

Sisters placed 1st and 2nd in the Junior division.  Sombre Carleton of Darlington was first with her double breasted, black pea-coat and above the knee, blue plaid, a-lined skirt.  Arianna also had a double-breast, black coat with a vivid purple skirt.

Runner up in the Senior division was Madison Ochoco of Doylestown with her elegant, creamy, formalwear coat & cream colored, mid-knee dress.  Sharon Donahoe would take 2nd place in the adult division with her three piece ensemble of Barn coat, Palmer/Pletsh jacket, and Vogue fully lined pants.

In our final Preteen division, Jordan Schaefer of Beaver Fall was delighted to hear her name called for first place with her sky-blue jumper.  Elizabeth Bruner of Blairsville was 2nd place with her 2-piece heather and gray tweed wool suit.

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.

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

Preteens: Rebecca Schaefer & Maggie Townsend - Beaver County, Sydney Ochoco – Bucks County

Juniors:  Rediet Schaefer, & Emily Young-Beaver County

Seniors: Gabrielle & Stephanie Augustine-Carbon County, Kelsey McKenna-Mercer County, Gabrielle Ochoco-Bucks County

Adults: Kathy Augustine-Carbon County, Vernyce Danneils-Philadelphia County, Joan Klein-Beaver County

Made for Others: Gabrielle & Stephanie Augustine-Carbon County

State winners in the junior and senior divisions are eligible to go on to the national competition, which will be held in Charleston, SC, in January 2014.  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 Charleston, SC.

Jodell Antram and Virginia Rhoads are the directors of the state event.  Bert Antram, Susie Bastian, Peggy Black, Marie Kieffer, Kathy Twigg, and Bertie Zembower served as judges for the competition.  MC for the fashion show was Virginia Rhoads. 

Inquiries about the contest can be made to Jodell Antram, 762 Antram Road, Somerset, PA  15501 or e-mail daveandjodell@comcast.net .

 

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