Pennsylvania 4-H'ers Showcase Style at Annual Make It With Wool Contest

Youth competitors included 4-H members Madison Copenhaver, Hope Wagner, Olivia Morrissey and Mackenzie Stellmach, all of Lebanon County, and Elliott Snyder and Evelyn Snyder, both of Dauphin County. 4-H volunteer and club leader Rachel Siegel, of Lebanon County, competed in the adult division.

Make It With Wool is an event for youth and adults who create with wool or other animal fibers. The objectives of the contest are to promote the beauty and versatility of wool fabrics and yarns; to encourage personal creativity in sewing, knitting and crocheting with wool fabrics and yarns; to recognize creative skills; and to develop life skills in participants.

"The Make It with Wool contest gives our 4-H youth another opportunity for recognition, constructive criticism, and interview skills development beyond the club and county level," organizer Linda Siegel said. "Wool is a remarkably easy fiber to work with, so it is friendly to youth who are ready to make a skirt or pants with a simple jacket with their first ever set in sleeves."

Each participant in the contest entered at least one wool or wool-blend garment, using knitting, crocheting, or sewing skills. The 4-H'ers who participated presented garments that they had made as part of their 4-H projects this year. Each entrant's ensemble was flat-judged and then judged while being modeled by the entrant. Judging is based on poise, construction of the garments, fit and wearability, and promotion of the versatility of wool.

Wagner took first place in the senior division. In the junior division, Copenhaver took first place, followed by Morrissey in second place and Stellmach in third place. Rachel Siegel was recognized as the first-place winner in the adult division. Morrissey also was recognized as the contestant demonstrating the best handwork, needle felting, or beading.

Sandi Graham, 4-H educator based in Lackawanna County, noted that the goal of 4-H is to help members gain confidence and work towards mastery in their project areas.

"When members participate in events that are not 4-H sponsored, it is a sign that our goals are being met," she said. "Our 4-H leaders who also participate in the Make It With Wool contest help pave the way for member success."

Wagner created a charcoal-gray, lined pencil dress and caramel wool blazer featuring leopard print lining. She added cuffed and ruffled sleeves to her dress for added flair. She challenged herself by making her first jacket with lapels, making bound buttonholes, and learning how to sew princess seams and make a facing attached to the coat collar.

"My time at the contest this year was well spent," Wagner said. "I enjoyed hearing a presentation from two well-established sewers in our state. I learned a variety of new sewing tips that I hope to use in my future projects. I always enjoy getting to talk with my friends and meet new sewers from around the state. This was a wonderful experience, and I hope to encourage more 4-H’ers to participate in future years!"

Copenhaver made a wool jacket and dress. She said 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 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 said she is especially proud of the pleats and circular ruffle on the dress and the covered buttons on her coat.

"I always look forward to competing with my most recent outfit at the Pennsylvania Make It With Wool Contest," Copenhaver said. "I enjoy participating in the workshop at the contest, interacting with other sewists, and seeing their beautiful outfits. After countless hours of working on my garment, it was very rewarding and honoring to receive first place. I look forward to representing Pennsylvania at the national competition in Denver, Colorado."

Morrissey said she always wanted a Chanel-type suit, so she created her own using a vintage 1960s pattern. The mint-green jacket and skirt are 100% wool. The tailored jacket showcases a floral lining, fringed edges and handmade piping with hundreds of individually sewn pearls and beads, which took many hours to apply. The fully lined skirt features Hong Kong hems, bound seams, and an invisible zipper. The self-lined cream wool knit ribbed tank complements the suit.

Stellmach made an anorak jacket using a Closet Core pattern. She selected a soft blue-denim wool fabric, with contrasting yellow thread for the topstitching. Her jacket is fully lined and features a two-piece cuffed sleeve, drawstring waist and hood, gusseted flap pockets, zipper, and snap buttons.

Rachel Siegel created a 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 cotton lining that 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.

Copenhaver and Wagner will represent Pennsylvania in person at the national Make It With Wool contest in Denver, Colorado, in January. Siegel also will send her garment, with photos and a video, for national judging.

Administered in Pennsylvania by Penn State Extension, 4-H is a nonformal educational youth-development program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture that helps young people develop knowledge and skills to become capable, caring, and contributing citizens. To find your local program, visit the Pennsylvania 4-H website.