Two residents of southcentral Pennsylvania earned awards at the 2021 National Make It With Wool Contest on Feb. 6. Olivia Morrissey of Annville was among the top 10 winners in the Junior division for youths ages 13 to 16, and Julia Schreiner from Penryn was named as third runner-up in the Adult division. Alyssa Neff from Harrisburg also competed in the Senior division for people age 25 and up.

There were more than 20 state entries in each division. The top 10 juniors; top 10 seniors, people ages 17 to 24; and top five adults were recognized. Fabrics, sewing books, equipment, and notions were awarded at the state and national levels. Scholarships were also available at the national level.

The national contest, previously scheduled to be held in Denver, Colo., was held in a virtual and mail-in format. Contestants shipped their ensembles for judging in January. They also provided a video which showed them modeling their garments, along with still photos of their ensemble.

Each entrant's ensemble was flat-judged and then judged while being modeled by the entrant on video. Judging was based on poise, construction of the garments, fit and wearability, and promotion of the versatility of wool.

The objectives of the contest are to promote the beauty and versatility of wool fabrics and yarns; to encourage personal creativity in sewing, knitting, and crocheting with wool fabrics and yarns; to recognize creative skills; and to develop life skills, including being responsible for one's self, being a good sport, accepting judges' decisions, and learning about and appreciating diversity. Each entrant constructed at least one wool or wool-blend garment using knitting, crocheting, and/or sewing skills.

Olivia completed a two-piece ensemble for her first sewing project with wool. The chocolate wool top features bell sleeves, which Olivia designed and added to a Simplicity pattern. The skirt is constructed using a plaid Pendleton wool and is fully lined. It was created using a McCall's skirt pattern, and Olivia designed and added a ruffle after coming across a similar skirt in a retail store. Olivia learned new skills so she could include a Hong Kong hem and an invisible zipper on the skirt. Olivia is a member of the 4-H Friends Club in Lebanon County.

Schreiner created a two-piece ensemble. Her straight-cut, tan and black plaid skirt is cut below the knee and features a sewn-in slip for added comfort. It has an invisible zipper and faced waistline with a pleated lower back, and the pleats are cut on the bias. Her coordinating vest utilizes three different wools, bound buttonholes, piping, decorative stitching, and buttons. The vest pattern was cut from an actual garment rather than a commercial pattern.