Natural fibers such as wool, mohair, alpaca, and cashmere are practical and luxurious. Each year, sewers across the country fashion garments and ensembles that highlight their talents in handling beautiful textiles made from these fibers, at regional and national Make it With Wool competitions.

See a selection of this year’s winning garments by sewists of all ages, on the following pages. The junior category includes makers from 13 to 16 years old; seniors are 17 to 24; and adults are 25 and older. Judges evaluate the garments on the quality of construction, appropriate use of materials, and usefulness of the garments in the maker’s life.

From jeans to jumpsuits, dresses to jackets and coats, the winning entries reveal dedication to fine sewing techniques and respect for the chosen fabrics. The designs range from classic to fashion-forward, and show that wool has a place in just about every wardrobe.

Adult Winner – Sunni Ellington

Cedar City, Utah

A first-time participant in MIWW, Sunni learned about the contest through a relative who entered many years ago. Sunni says she was surprised to discover the competition still takes place.

Her wool coat was inspired by the J. Crew Chateau parka, a design she has long admired and wished to replicate. A self-taught sewer, Sunni knew she would prefer a customized version, and wanted to challenge her skills with some new techniques. She was interested in working with fusible interfacings in this project, to stabilize the wool fabric. For the body, she applied fusible weft (FashionSewingSupply.com); the sleeves are underlined with muslin.

Simplicity 8470 (out of print) included many of the details Sunni was looking for, although she redrafted the hood for a closer fit, and adapted the upper patch…