Winner's Circle 2023

Make It With Wool Winners Announced – News Release  

Forty-one Junior and Senior Division contestants competed in the 2023 Make It With Wool (MIWW) National Competition, held January 18-20th in Fort Worth, Texas, at the Omni Hotel.  Winners were announced at the Awards Program following the Saturday evening BBQ and fashion show.  The total contestants competing on the National level is 67.

Winners included:

Junior Division (age-13-16) – 21 Entries

Winner: Henry Lemke – MN

1st Runner-up: Haley Missler – OH

2nd Runner-up: Vanessa Jones – KS

3rd Runner-up: Lizzy Lowe – UT

4th Runner-up: Emma Olson – NE

Other contestants in the Top 10: Madi Dunning – WY, Madison Copenhaver – PA, Josslyn Massey – IN, Vanessa Jones – KS, Isabelle Marirose – SD.

Senior Division (17-24) – 20 Entries

Winner: Saidi Ringenbery – NE

1st Runner-up: Natalie Sensenig – PA

2nd Runner-up: Adeline Myers – IN

3rd Runner-up: Katie Buhler – KS

4th Runner-up: Kiara Sherman – MT

Other contestants in the Top 10: Mary Amororso CO, Gretta Lemke MN, Courtney Hatch AZ, Nicole Hauck SD, Hannah Missler OH.

The judging for the Adult Division and the Fashion/Apparel Design Division was held the later part of 2022.  The Adult winner is Sunni Ellington from Cedar City, UT.  The Fashion/Apparel Design winner is Estefania Espindola, attending Houston Community College.  Both of these winners were in attendance in Fort Worth.

There were 20 entries in the National Adult Division (age 25 and over).  Runner-up winners included:

1st Runner-up: Briana Baeten - MT

2nd Runner-up: Jennifer Serr - CA

3rd Runner-up: Marcella Matthys - MN

4th Runner-up: Martha Phelps - WA

5th Runner-up: Anita Donoho - IL

There were 6 entries in the National Fashion/Apparel Design).  Runner-up winners included:

1st Runner-up: Emily Ivey – Baylor University

2nd Runner-up: Madelynne Cordon – Baylor University

Special Awards were given to recognize contestants in the Junior and Senior Divisions. Winners in these categories are as follows:

Handwork Award 

1st Place: Zoey Townsend – NC – Embroidery on jacket pockets

2nd Place: Madi Dunning – WY – Beadwork on waistband of dress

Needlework Award (for knitted and crocheted garments)

1st Place: Katie Inouye – AR – Blouse sweater with beads

2nd Place: Gretta Lemke – MN - Sweater 

3rd Place: Holley Westenberg – WI - Tights

Outstanding Use of Mohair Award

1st Place: Brigitte DeValois – OR

2nd Place: Gabrielle Augustine – NY

Creative Machine Embroidery Award

1st Place: Kiara Sherman – MT _ Jacket – Jacket sleeves & back yoke

2nd Place: Saidi Ringenberg – NE – Coat belt

3rd Place: Katie Inouye – UT – Jacket buttons & pocket

Exemplary Construction Award

Senior: Saidi Ringenberg – NE

Junior: Lizzy Lowe – UT

Peoples Choice Award

Olivia Frenette – CA Junior

Claire Shaeffer Award

Senior Winner Courtney Hatch, AZ – Jacket Pattern

The MIWW program is sponsored by the American Sheep Industry Association, ASI Women, 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 (age25 and over), Senior (age 17-24), Junior (age13-16), Preteen (age12 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. Please follow us on Facebook at National Make It With Wool.