At-Large MIWW Contest

Purpose: The purpose of offering an At-Large MIWW Contest for individuals who are legal residents in a state without a current active MIWW program is to provide potential contestants an opportunity to participate in the MIWW program.

Objectives:  

• To increase participation in the MIWW program
• To allow participants from non-participating states to experience the MIWW program
• To increase awareness of the MIWW program in states throughout the nation

Rules, Regulations, and Requirements to enter At-Large Contest:

1. Potential contestants who are legal residents in a state without a current state MIWW program are eligible to enter the At-Large Contest. When necessary, a driver’s license and/or state income tax return may be requested to verify state residency.
2. Potential contestants also include individuals who are legal residents in states where they are residing due to college, internships, and/or clinical rotations. These contestants may enter the At-Large contest with proof of legal residency through A) state driver’s license and/or  B) check stub confirming payment of said state taxes.
3. Contest is open to three age divisions: Junior (ages 13-16), Senior (ages 17-24), and Adult (ages 25 and over). The Division is determined by the contestant’s age on January 1st of the current year.
4. All national rules and judging guidelines will apply. See national website (makeitwithwool.com) for additional details, at-large entry form, and at-large information forms.
5. At-large contestants may enter one of the following garment categories:

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.

1. All garments must have been completed after January 1 of the competition year.
2. Participants must select all fabrics, materials and supplies. Participants must sew, knit, crochet or felt all garments. They may also spin their own yarn and weave their own fabric. They may receive instruction and advice from parents, teachers or advisor.
3. All wool fabric/yarn samples will be tested and must be at least 60% or more wool or specialty wool fibers (mohair, alpaca, angora, cashmere, llama, or camel).
4. Mail entry form: Contestants complete the At-Large MIWW Entry Form and mail it, along with $15 national entry fee, 3” x 3” sample of each wool fabric and/or 12” sample of each wool yarn to: MIWW National Director (address listed on entry form). Entry Form Deadline: October 1st, 2024
5. Contestants mail a second copy of their At-Large MIWW Entry Form, along with $35 at-large entry fee, 5” x 5” sample of each wool fabric and/or 36” sample of each wool yarn to: MIWW At-Large Director (address listed on entry form). Entry Form Deadline: October 1st, 2024
6. Mail/ship garment(s) and entry materials: Fold or roll garment(s) and pack in a box of appropriate size; use tissue paper between layers to prevent wrinkles. Garments should be placed in a garment bag or plastic cover for protection. Do not include hangers.
7. Garment(s) are to be mailed/shipped, at the contestant’s expense, to the At-Large contest director. Garments and Entry Packets MUST BE  received by November 1st.  Late entries will be disqualified.
8. The entry must include 4 (four) individual 5” x 7” photos (front, back, right side, and left side), a 90-second video (saved on Flash Drive) of contestant modeling the outfit, and a completed Contestant & Garment Information Form and a Contestant Contact Information Form. These items are to be placed in a large Manilla envelope or zip-lock plastic bag and mailed with the garment(s). Do NOT send notebook/binder of photos! Not submitting the required garment(s), photos, video, or information forms will result in a reduction of points.
9. Contestant must also include a Prepaid Return Postage label (or cash/check to cover return shipping/postage of the garment).
10. If entering a two-piece or three-piece outfit (examples: Coat/dress, coat/blouse/skirt, or jacket/blouse/pants, etc.), 4 (four) 5” x 7” additional photos may be submitted for each piece. Garments must be photographed on the contestant, not on a mannequin.
11. The modeling video, a maximum of 90 seconds, should feature the contestant modeling their garment(s). It should be a quality amateur video…NOT a professional video. NO music, NO audio, and NO still shots. Contestants should model in a vacant room or on a stage as if modeling for three judges sitting at a table. Avoid having obstacles in the background. “Show-off” your wool outfit, make turns to show sides and back, etc. Remove coat and/or jacket, where necessary, to show other wool garment(s).
12. Judging will occur by the end of October. Contestants will be notified of results after the final judging.
13. Garment(s) will be returned to the contestant in the same container as it was received.
14. Score sheets with judges’ comments will be mailed to contestants when the garment is returned.
15. Decisions of the judges will be final.

Prizes:

• 1st, 2nd, and 3rd placing will be given in each age division.
• The top At-Large Junior winner and top At-Large Senior winner will be invited to participate in the National MIWW competition, typically held in January of the following year. Transportation to and from the National competition will be at the expense of the contestants; however, transportation awards may be presented to winners depending on contest sponsorship. Contestants competing in the national competition will be roomed with other state winners and lodging at the hotel is arranged and covered by National MIWW. 
• 2nd and 3rd place winners in the At-Large Junior and Senior divisions will be given prizes dependent upon sponsorship or donations.
• The top At-Large Adult winner will be given the opportunity to submit his/her garment(s), photos, video, and information forms to the national adult competition. Entries will be mailed to and from the state hosting the national adult judging at the expense of the contestant.
• The National MIWW Adult winner will be invited to attend the National MIWW competition, typically held in January of the following year. Transportation to and from the National competition and lodging at the hotel is arranged and covered by National MIWW.
• 2nd and 3rd place winners in the At-Large Adult division will be given prizes dependent upon sponsorship or donations.