Off to Nationals
Off to Nationals "Wool, As Good As It Gets" was the theme for the 61st annual North Dakota ‘Make It With Wool’ contest held in conjunction with the Lamb and Wool Producers Convention held at the Seven Seas in Mandan, Nov. 21 and 22. Fourteen-year-old Madeleinne Zacher of Parshall was named the 2008 Junior Ambassador which means she will be on her way to the National ‘Make it With Wool’ competition in San Diego, in January, an all-expense paid trip. She is the only contestant from North Dakota who will be competing at nationals this year. Some people may think ‘Make It With Wool’ is just a sewing competition, its not. It’s a fashion contest, test of knowledge, and a competition based on how entrants promote and plan to promote the wool industry in the future. Seamstresses of all ages competed and modeled in the state fashion show. Winners were selected based on five criteria, including: 1) appropriateness to contestant’s lifestyle, 2) coordination of fabric with style & design, 3) contestant presentation, 4) construction quality, and 5) creativity. It was tough competition, but Therese Weber of Wahpeton scored tight behind Zacher. Weber competed at the national level last year. Other winners named Nov. 22 were preteen ambassador Kate Harrington of Grandin, adult ambassador Karen Weber of Wahpeton, and ‘Made For Others’ ambassador Kathy Sougstad of Mandan. Former National MIWW winner Ruth Zacher of Parshall emceed the event. "Sewing is no longer a skill passed down from generation to generation," Ruth Zacher said. "Clothing construction is getting to be a lost art and is definitely not a way to save money. Every stitch every contestant made and every stitch they may have ripped out is admired."
