"Sewing ... is exhilarating and peaceful at the same time. I found so much passion and peace during the pandemic by sewing again. It lit my fire," shared Sheila Martin of Birdsboro, who was recently was named the third-place winner in the Adult category of the Pennsylvania Make It With Wool Contest.

Martin, who learned to sew from her mother and her junior high home economics teacher, Kathryn D. Brown, resurrected her passion for the hobby during the stay-at-home order and decided to enter the contest for the first time last year.

"In the depths of the pandemic in August of 2020, I read a call for entries in the Community Courier," she recalled. "Having been in a fast-track business career for 35-plus years, I had set garment sewing aside. I never forgot my sewing skills. I did draperies, home decor and slip covers, but no apparel sewing."

Martin was assisted in her re-entry in sewing clothing by Linda Siegel, director of PA Make It With Wool. "She helped me with online fabric purchases and even websites to go to and patterns to buy online. That's how I got jumpstarted again," said Martin, noting that she won third place last year by creating a three-season wool coat. "That really got me going, and it was such a rebirth of this passion."

Martin also joined the American Sewing Guild; Fashion Showing and Chat, based in Wyomissing; and the Lancaster Area Sewing Network (LASN). "I have been growing in advancement of skills and in product knowledge and learning about sewing intelligence in the 21st century," she stated.

For this year's contest, held at the Pennsylvania Preferred Banquet Hall at the Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg, each entrant was asked to construct at least one wool or wool-blend garment using knitting, crocheting and/or sewing skills. "The only specification for the contest is that wool be used. It has to be at least 60% wool because there are so many blends out there," Martin explained. "The whole thrust of this contest is to preserve the merits of natural, pure wool."

Martin submitted a two-piece ensemble, which included a color-blocked tunic and classic tapered pants. The pants were made from a wool and silk blend called "sharkskin" in gunmetal color, and the tunic was made from ivory wool crepe, lilac and pink crepe and the sharkskin. Martin adapted the original pattern to reveal surprise shots of color, and she color-blocked one of the sleeves.

Each entrant's ensemble was flat-judged and then judged while being modeled by the entrant. Judging was based on poise, construction of the garment(s), fit and wearability and promotion of the versatility of wool. "They looked at our sewing skills and how excellent the garment was made," said Martin. "One of the intangible benefits was helpful, kind and constructive comments provided by the judges."

For more information about the contest, email Siegel at linda@lebaweb.com or visit http://www.makeitwithwool.com.