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FAQs

What are the objectives?

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

  • To encourage personal creativity in sewing, knitting and crocheting

  • To recognize creative skills

  • To develop life skill, including: being responsible for one's self, being a good sport, accepting the judges decisions and learning/appreciating diversity

What fabrics/yarns can I use?
 

  • 100% wool or wool blend (minimum of 60% wool or specialty 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 underlinings may be fabrics other than wool or wool blends.

How can I be certain my faric/yarns are wool?
 

  • Self-testing is recommended.

  • Additional testing will be done prior to state and national contests.

  • Self-testing procedure:

  • Place a one-inch fabric square into one cup of Clorox bleach for several hours. 100% wool will have no residue; wool blends will havefibers remaining.

  • NOTE: Finishes and other natural fibers may affect the test results.

What are the prizes? 
 

  • Junior and Senior state winners will advance to the National Competition

  • Adult state winners will send a 5" x 7" photo and video (maximum three minutes) to the National Competition. National Adult winner will receive a trip to the National Competition

  • Fabrics, sewing books, equipment, and notions are awarded at state and national levels

  • Scholarships are awarded at the national level: 

    • $2,000 American Sheep Industry Women (Junior & Senior winners)

    • $1,000 Mohair Council of America (Junior or Senior Award for complete garment made of mohair)

    • $1,000 Pendleton Woolen Mills (Junior winner)

    • $1,000 American Wool Council (Fashion/apparel design)

What are the judging criteria?

  • Appropriateness to the contestant's lifestyle

  • Coordination of fabric/yarn with the garment's style and design

  • Contestant's presentation

  • Quality of the garment's construction

  • Creativity

Where can I purchase wool or wool blend fabrics? 

  • Local fabric stores: Elfriede’s in Boulder, Colorado Fabrics in Littleton, and Allyn’s in Denver

  • Internet resources: Pendleton, Mood Fabrics, Gorgeous Fabric, etc.  

  • Resource listings: sewing magazines, American Sheep Industry, Mohair Council of America, Lana Llama Association of North America

  • State Directors

How can I enter?
 

  • Fill out an entry form and follow the instructions for mailing and submitting fees.

  • You may enter more than one garment, using a separate form for each entry.

  • You must participate in the state where you live or attend school.

  • NOTE: Past National Junior and Senior winners may not compete again in the same age division.

  • NOTE: Past National Adult photo winner may not compete again for 3 years. 

What are the prizes? 
 

  • Exemplary Construction (Sew News Magazine)

  • Machine Embroidery (Creative Machine Embroidery Magazine)

  • Vogue/Butterick Pattern Use (sewing machine from White Sewing Machine Company)

  • Use of a Clair Shaeffer's "Custom Couture Collection"pattern from Vogue Pattern Company

  • $500 cash award/credit for original design and international exposure for use of Cestari pencil roving with Cestari yarn in a knitted or felted garment.

              * Cestari, LTD retains ownership of original pattern

                and garment.

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