Posted: March 3, 2025
Three Pennsylvania 4-H'ers recently showcased their sewing projects at the annual Pennsylvania Make It With Wool competition at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center in Harrisburg.
Youth competitors included 4-H members Elliott Snyder and Evelyn Snyder, both of Dauphin County, and Madison Copenhaver of Lebanon County. 4-H alumna Abby Holmberg of Montgomery County also competed in the senior division. Contest judges included 4-H volunteers Doris Schappell and Joan Woll, both of Berks County, and 4-H alumni Sarah Farnsler of Lebanon County and Ashley Shaw Bishop of Dauphin County
Make It With Wool is an event for youth and adults who create with wool or other animal fibers. 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 in participants.
"The Make It with Wool contest gives our 4-H youth another opportunity for recognition, constructive criticism, and interview skills development beyond the club and county level," organizer and 4-H volunteer Linda Siegel said. "Wool is a remarkably easy fiber to work with, so it is friendly to youth who are ready to make a skirt or pants with a simple jacket with their first ever set in sleeves."
Each participant in the contest entered at least one wool or wool-blend garment using knitting, crocheting, or sewing skills. The 4-H'ers who participated presented garments that they had made as part of their 4-H projects this year. Each entrant's ensemble was flat-judged and then judged while being modeled by the entrant. Judging is based on poise, construction of the garments, fit and wearability, and promotion of the versatility of wool.
Copenhaver made a teal coat, cream top, and plaid skirt as her last 4-H sewing project. She was a member of 4-H Friends Club in Lebanon County. She won first place in the senior division of the Pennsylvania contest and took fourth runner-up at the national contest. She also won a second place cash prize for her work with mohair.
Evelyn Snyder and Elliott Snyder took second and third place, respectively, in the junior division of the state contest. Evelyn Snyder created a wool blend coat and a navy-blue wool tweed short-sleeve dress. Her solid wool camel brown coat falls below the knee, has long sleeves, a banded collar, and button closures. The silk charmeuse floral lining ensures it's easy to slip into and adds a touch of originality. Evelyn's dress is a classic, trendy, slim-fitted dress with bust darts, short sleeves, and a back zipper. It is made of an Italian wool/silk blend navy tweed suiting, and it has a black polyester lining. Elliott Snyder made a refined classic wool topcoat. The solid navy-blue, double wool cashmere crepe topcoat falls above the knee, has raglan long sleeves, machine buttonholes, and a lapel collar. The coat is fully lined using anti-static geometric blueprint fabric. He added a handmade bow tie to match the lining of his topcoat
Administered in Pennsylvania by Penn State Extension, 4-H is a nonformal educational youth-development program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture that helps young people develop knowledge and skills to become capable, caring and contributing citizens. To find your local program, visit the Pennsylvania 4-H website.
