DENVER — 2017 National Make It With Wool was held in sunny Denver, Colorado where the weather was cold but snow-free. The contestants stayed at the Renaissance City Center, a former Colorado National Bank building while the annual American Sheep Industry Convention was held in the nearby Denver Marriott City Center.
Qualifying Juniors (ages 13-16) and Seniors (ages 17-24) from 29 states and 1 region gathered to compete for national prizes that included cash, wool fabrics, sewing resource books, tools, thread, and sewing notions.
Also attending the Make It With Wool Finals were Rebecca Sintek, 2017 Adult Ambassador and Daiane Bierhalz Elert, 2017 Fashion/Apparel Design Ambassador. Rebecca is from Oregon and was the top pick from nearly 100 adult entries submitted during participating states Make It With Wool contests. Elert is currently studying at Houston Community College and won with her original red wool coat that can zip apart to create a jacket and skirt. Both new ambassadors won expense paid trips to attend the finals in Denver as well as additional prizes with Elert also receiving $1,000 scholarship from the American Wool Council.
The Saturday evening fashion show titled “Star Wool – The Fleece Awakened” showcased the wool garments fashioned by the contestants and culminated with the presentation of specialty awards and top five placings as listed below:
Jennings Family Fibers Needlework Award (best knitted garment) – Angela Villanueva (PA)
Machine Embroidery Award – Kimberly Westenberg (WI senior)
Handwork Awards (best application of hand techniques) – Junior Megan Wiese (AZ) and Senior Andrea Northup (CO)
Best Use of Mohair – cash awards sponsored by The Mohair Council of America & producers
1st Place – Ashlynn Johnson (WY junior)
2nd Place – Angela Villanueva (PA senior)
3rd Place – Gabrielle Augustine (NY senior)
Exemplary Construction Awards – Junior Grace Zongker (KS) and Senior Sarah Thelen (MN)
Top 5 Juniors:
2017 Junior Ambassador – Allison Faber (OH)
Runner-Up – Dustin Geringer (CA)
3rd Place – Abigail Olson (NE)
4th Place – Tiana Lenos (KY)
5th Place – Mercy Melo (PA)
Top 5 Seniors:
2017 Senior Ambassador – Sarah Thelen (MN)
Runner-Up – Annelise Ingram (TX)
3rd Place – Gabrielle Augustine (NY)
4th Place – Miranda Irwin (MI)
5th Place – Emily Whiteley (CA)
For further information, contact Mary Roediger, Coordinator National Make It With Wool 740.591.5149 [email protected] www.NationalMakeItWithWool.com
— Make It With Wool
