October 10, 2009
University of Maine
Page Farm and Home Museum

The Make It With Wool is a competitive event sponsored by the American Sheep Industry Association http://www.sheepusa.org/. This year, Maine will sponsor a contest as part of the Fiber Maine-ia program celebrating the 2009 UN International Year of Natural Fiber.

OBJECTIVES of the Make It With Wool Contest

• To promote the beauty and versatility of wool fabrics and yarns.

• To encourage personal creativity in sewing, knitting, crocheting, spinning and weaving 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 judges decisions

  • learning about and appreciating diversity

AGE DIVISIONS

• Preteens, age 12 and under

• Juniors, ages 13-16

• Seniors, ages 17-24

• Adults, age 25 and older

Age as of December 31 of competition year. There are no age divisions in the “made for others” competition.

Anyone regardless of race, creed or sex who meets age and other guidelines may participate.

Participants may sew for themselves or others. The sewer must select fabric, pattern, etc and construct the garment. The intended wearer must model the garment. Prizes will be awarded to the sewer. The sewer is responsible for getting the model to the competition.

GARMENT CATEGORIES

• Juniors, Seniors and Adults may enter:

  • One-piece garment: Dress, jumper, outerwear jacket, coat or cape.

  • Two-piece outfit: Coat, jacket, cape, blouse/shirt, vest or sweater with dress, jumper, skirt, pants or shorts.

  • Ensemble: 3 or more garments worn together at one time. Coat, jacket, cape, blouse/shirt vest and/or sweater with dress, jumper, skirt, pants or shorts.

  • Wearable Accessory- At state level only

• Preteens may enter:

  • Dress, jumper, skirt, pants shorts, vest, sweater, shirt/blouse, jacket or a combination of garments.

• Made for Others:

  • Garment(s)- see above categories- made for another person. The individual must model the garment and the sewer must answer the judges’ questions. This category may not be available in all states.

• All garments must have been completed after January 1 of the competition year.

• Participants must select all fabrics and materials and construct all garments. They may receive instruction and advice from parents, teachers or advisor.

ACCEPTABLE FABRICS/YARNS

• 100% wool or wool blends (minimum 60% wool or specialty wool 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 underlining may be from fabrics other than wool or wool blends. 

JUDGING CRITERIA (more details available to contestants)

• Appropriate to contestant and contestant’s lifestyle.

• Fit and overall appearance

• Coordination of fabric/yarn with garment style and design.

• Presentation of garment by contestant.

• Construction quality- the result of the method used, not the method itself.

• Creativity in design and use of wool.

• Conveys/ promotes the beauty, comfort and versatility of wool.

FABRIC TESTING

• Fiber content will be checked at all competition levels- district, state and national. Contestants should also test the fiber content of their fabrics.

• Tests for fiber content:
  Place a 1” fabric square in 1-cup NEW Clorox. 100% wool will begin to disintegrate within 1 hour and should have no residue after several hours. Wool blends will have fibers remaining. Note: Finishes and other natural fibers may affect the test results.

Two youth from Maine will qualify for the National Competition in Nashville in January 2010, one from the Junior division and one from the Senior division. The winner of the adult division in Maine will submit a photo of his or her entry for the national competition and one adult winner will be chosen nationwide based on those photos. Prizes at the state level will include lengths of Pendleton wool. 

For more information see our website at http://www.umext.maine.edu/fibermaine-ia/default.htm 

Or go to the Make it With Wool Contest page:
http://www.umext.maine.edu/fibermaine-ia/wool.htm

You can also contact Contest Coordinator, Michaele Bailey at mbailey@umext.maine.edu or (207) 581-3872.

 

For more information on educational programs in your area, contact your county Extension office.