Make It With Wool State Contest

Taken at the 2021 Wilson County Fair-TN State Fair and the TN Make it with Wool Contest (pictured at the Sheep Show). Callie Smith won 1st Place making her eligible to attend the nation contest in San Diego where she won 2nd place.

Date: August 27, 2022
Check-In Time: 9am
Garment Judging: 10am
Wool Workshop: 11am
Exhibitor Demonstration: 12pm
Awards Program/Fashion Show: 1pm
Location: Hometown USA Stage

Contest Goals

In conjunction with the American Sheep Industry, the Make It With Wool Contest aims to:

Promote the beauty and versatility of wool fabrics, fibers and yarns
Encourage personal creativity in sewing, knitting, crocheting, or felting with wool fabrics, fibers and yarns
Recognize creative skills, and
To develop life skills

Entry Fee: $15 (Goes to the American Sheep Industry)

Premiums for each class

1st - $50* 2nd - $30 3rd - $25 4th - $20 5th - $15

*First place contestants in the Junior and Senior Class get a chance to walk the runway in their designs at the National Show!

Contest Guidelines

All Garments must have been completed after January 1 and submitted before July 27 (NOTE: This is prior to the August 27 contest. See Below for more info under Entry and Fabric Inspection.)

Participants must be legal residents of Tennessee.
Participants must select fabrics and yarn that is at least 60% wool to construct garments by sewing, knitting, crocheting or felting.
Participants may (but are not required) also spin their own yarn and weave their own fabric
Preteens can compete with an entry of the following:
- One-Piece Garment: Dress, jumper, skirt, pants, shorts, vest, sweater, shirt/blouse, jacket
- Two-Piece (or more) Ensemble: the above listed garments. Preteens may receive instruction and advice from parents, teachers or advisor as they construct their garment
Juniors, Seniors, and Adults can compete with an entry of the following:
- One-Piece Garment: Dress, jumper, skirts, pants, shorts, vest, sweater, shirt, blouse, outerwear jacket, coat or cape
- Two-Piece Ensemble (2 of the following garments worn at one time): Coat, jacket, cape, blouse/shirt, vest/sweater, dress, jumper, skirt, pants/shorts
- Three-Piece (or more) Ensemble (3 or more of the following garments worn at one time): Coat, jacket, cape, blouse/shirt, vest/sweater, dress, jumper, skirt, pants/shorts

Contest Classes

Classes are divided by the exhibitor's age (as of January 1 of this year):

Preeteens: ages 12 or younger
Juniors: ages 13-16
Seniors: ages 17-24
Adults: age 25 and older
Wearable Accessory: Hat

Entry & Fabric Inspection

All entries must be submitted by July 27
Entries will include the following two items
- Completed Entry Form
- Sample Swatches of fabric or yarns used in the garment. (Completed garments are judged at the Wilson County Fair-Tennessee State Fair, and Sample Swatches are lab tested for Wool authenticity prior to the Fair)

Garment Check-In

Garment Check-in will start at 9am on Saturday, August 27 on the Hometown USA Stage in the Expo Center
Entry forms and samples from the Fabric Inspection will be matched with the completed garment entry at this time.

Exhibitor Demonstration

Exhibitor Demonstration of the garment begins at 12pm on the Hometown Stage
Exhibitors will wear their garment for this part of the judging to show style and fit of the garment.
Exhibitors will be interviewed regarding the garment construction and their knowledge of the sheep industry.

Awards Program/Fashion Show

Awards Program will begin at 1pm on the Hometown USA Stage.
Exhibitors will be introduced with a short bio and description of their garment as they exhibit their entry.
Awards, Ribbons and Premiums are announced and give to each of the class winners.

Downloadable Registration Form