Three Lebanon County competitors earned honors at the National Make It With Wool contest this month in Denver, Colorado.
Receiving accolades on the national level were Rachel Siegel and Madison Copenhaver, both of Lebanon, and Hope Wagner of Annville. The national MIWW contest was held Jan. 11-13, with awards presented on the last day of the competition.
According to the press release, Siegel was named National Adult MIWW Ambassador, based on mail-in judging conducted in December.
Copenhaver was first runner-up in the Junior competition, while Wagner was named among the Top Ten in the Senior competition. Copenhaver and Wagner both competed in person in Denver.
Here are the details provided in the release about the entries:
National Winner in Adult Division – Siegel “created a three three-piece ensemble that proves wool garments can look like ready-to-wear. Her anorak jacket has a hood, cargo pockets, placket zipper, and metal hardware including snaps, grommets, drawstring aglets, and cordlocks. The jacket’s inside is tidy, with entirely flat fell, faux bound, and French seams. She chose a fun cotton lining which echoes the wool’s tiny polka dot design and inspired the fabric choice for her kelly green merino wool knit top. The top is constructed using knit techniques and features a band of nail-head studs on one shoulder. The ensemble is finished with a pair of slim-fit washable wool ponte pants (Siegel) copied from a pair in her closet. She says that she wants people to know that wool can be ‘soft, comfortable, washable, and modern.'”
Siegel is graduate of Cedar Crest High School and Lebanon Valley College. She is a CPA at Stanilla, Siegel and Maser LLC and is president of the Lancaster Area Sewing Network and chair of indoor exhibits at the Lebanon Area Fair.
Top Ten Senior Division – Wagner “created a charcoal gray lined pencil dress and carmel wool blazer featuring leopard print lining. She made her first jacket with lapels, which was challenging. This year (Wagner) also learned how to sew princess seams and make a facing attached to the coat collar. She added cuffed and ruffled sleeves to her dress for added flair. She made her first bound buttonholes this year, too. She says that setting in the sleeves was easy in wool. In fact, she feels that ‘working with wool is a very easy and giving fabric that I think everyone should try!'”
An accomplished violinist, Wagner is a senior at Annville-Cleona High School and plans to enter the five-year Speech Language Pathology program at Lebanon Valley College in 2024.
1st Runner-Up Junior Division – Copenhaver “made a wool jacket and dress. She says that she struggles to find appropriate, yet stylish, dresses for dances, so she made her own. Her creamy white jacket includes in-seam pockets, a jump hem, and covered buttons. She used a fun, coordinating silk lining. The teal Merino wool knit dress was made by combining Marfy and Simplicity patterns and is finished off with a baby hem. She is especially proud of the pleats and circular ruffle on the dress and the covered buttons on her coat. Madison wore this ensemble to homecoming at Cedar Crest High School, where she is a senior. She will wear the jacket in parades in her role as Lebanon Area Fair Queen. Madison says that loves that she can make outfits without people even realizing that material is wool. She says, ‘Wool gets the stereotype of being (uncomfortable), but I love wearing all the outfits I have sewn and they are very comfortable.'”
Copenhaver is president of the 4-H Friends Club in Lebanon County.
Read More: 3 Lebanon County residents sweep top honors in PA wool clothing competition
Each state sends its first-place junior and first-place senior to compete in the national contest, which is designed to help promote the wool industry and wool growers. The objectives of the contest, according to the press release, include promoting the beauty and versatility of wool fabrics and yarns; encouraging personal creativity in sewing, knitting, and crocheting with wool fabrics and yarns; recognizing creative skills; and developing life skills, including being responsible for oneself, being a good sport, accepting judge’s decisions, and learning about and appreciating diversity.
The national contest is sponsored by the American Sheep Industry Women.
The junior division is for competitors ages 13 to 16, while the senior division is open to contestants ages 17 to 24. Each entrant constructed at least one wool or wool-blend garment, using knitting, crocheting, and/or sewing skills. Adult contestants were each asked to provide a video showing them modeling the garment, photographs, and written information about the design and construction process.
Pennsylvania’s 2024 contest will be held on Saturday, Sept. 28, at the Farm Show Complex. Registration deadline is Sept. 3.
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