2024 Press release
MIWW Winners Announced
There were forty-two Junior and Senior Division contestants competed in the 2024 Make It With Wool (MIWW) National Competition, held January 11-13th in Denver, Colorado at the Sheraton Denver Downtown Convention Center. Winners were announced at the Awards Program following the Saturday evening banquet and fashion show.
Winners included:
Junior Division (age 13-16) – 22 entries
Winner: Madi Dunning- WY
1st Runner-up: Madison Copenhaver - PA
2nd Runner-up: Rosalee Monroe - MI
3rd Runner-up: Katie Ford - IN
4th Runner-up: Vanessa Jones - KS
Other contestants in the Top 10: Addison Guesullo – UT, Gretta Rickertson – NE, Sophia Cosmello – NC, Jacey Sealy – TX, Lucy Johnson - WI
Senior Division (age 17-24) – 19 entries
Winner: Katie Buhler- KS
1st Runner-up: Sydni Ringenberg - NE
2nd Runner-up: Rebekah Kasperson - ID
3rd Runner-up: Clara Morley - UT
4th Runner-up: Kevina Clear - MI
Other contestants in the Top 10: Caroline Clark – MD, Marissa Sanchez- CA, Mary Amaroso – CO, Hope Wagner -PA, Gretta Lemke - MN
The judging for the Adult Division and the Fashion/Apparel Design Division was held the later part of 2023. The Adult Division winner, Rachel Siegel (PA) and the Fashion/Apparel Design winner, Megan Darling, Baylor University (TX) were in attendance in Denver.
There were 18 entries in the National Adult Division (age 25 and over). Runner-up winners included:
1st Runner-up: Jaynie Fader - TX
2nd Runner-up: Jenny Graham - UT
3rd Runner-up: Gretchen Weaver - OH
4th Runner-up: Deanna Worley - CO
5th Runner-up: Anita Hardwick – IN
6th Runner-up: Gabrielle Augustine - NY
There were 13 entries in the National Fashion/Apparel Design Division (college students majoring in Fashion or Apparel Design). Runner-up winners included:
1st Runner-up: Megan Marie Moravec – Baylor University, TX
2nd Runner-up: Alex Keach – Baylor University, TX
3rd Runner-up: Beth Martins – Baylor University, TX
Special Awards were given to recognize contestants in the Junior and Senior Divisions. Winners in these categories are as follows:
Handwork Award
1st Place: Clara Morley - UT - Sr Hand embroidery on dress
2nd Place: Gretta Lemke - MN - Jr Handwork on pants
3rd Place: Rosalee Monroe - MI - Jr Hand beading and embroidery
Needlework Award (for knitted and crocheted garments)
1st Place: Rebekah Kasperson - ID - Sr Knitted top
2nd Place: Rosalee Monroe - MI- Jr Knitting top
3rd Place: Katie Inouye – AR - Sr Knitted dress
Outstanding Use of Mohair Award
1st Place: Hayley Smith – At-Large - Sr Mohair Coat
2nd Place: Holly Westenberg -WI- Sr Mohair Sweater/tights
3rd Place: Jacey Sealy – TX – Jr Mohair Coat
Creative Machine Embroidery Award
1st Place: Vanessa Jones – KS- Jr Embroidered design on jacket
2nd Place: Madi Dunning – WY - Jr Embroidered design on coat
3rd Place: Kiara Sherman – MT- Sr Embroidered design on coat
Exemplary Construction Award
Junior Winner: Madi Dunning - WY
Senior Winner: Katie Buhler- KS
Peoples Choice Award
Sophia Cosmello – NC - Jr
Social Media Award Winner (New this year)
Junior Winner: Sophia Cosmello -NC
Senior Winner: Kiara Sherman -MT
Overall Winner: Ella Smith- TN -Jr
The MIWW program is sponsored by the American Sheep Industry Association, and The American Wool Council to promote the beauty and versatility of wool fabrics and yarns.
Contestants in the MIWW competition sew, knit, or crochet their garments, which must be made from at least 60% wool fabric or yarn. Contestants are divided into Age Divisions or Categories, including Adult (age 25 and over), Senior (age 17-25), Junior (age 13-16), Preteen (age 12 and under), Wearable Accessory, and Made for Others. State competitions are held May through December. State winners in the Junior and Senior Divisions are invited to advance to the national competition, typically held in January of the following year. Judging for the Adult state winners is typically held in December. National MIWW also sponsors a Design Division for college-age students majoring in Fashion or Apparel Design. Judging for the Design Division is typically done in November. Entry Forms and additional information may be found on the MIWW website: makeitwithwool.com.