DENVER — Lucy Johnson, a high schooler from Evansville, recently competed in the National Make It With Wool Festival (MIWW) held in Denver. The contest featured state winners from around the United States. Johnson won the Wisconsin MIWW contest in September 2023 as part of the Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival.

Johnson constructed a black and white herringbone wool coat during the winter of 2023, which she previously entered in the Rock County Fair. After winning Wisconsin’s Junior age category, Lucy traveled to Denver, Colorado for the national contest.

In all, 41 participants from around the nation spent three days judging, modeling, learning about wool, completing workshops, and attending the National Western Stock Show. The event culminated in a fashion show, where friends and family watched each contestant show off their outfit. Johnson placed in the top ten of Juniors, a spot that Wisconsin has not held in the past four years.

The MIWW program is sponsored by the American Sheep Industry Association, ASI Women, and the American Wool Council to promote the beauty and versatility of wool fabrics and yarns. State competitions are held May through December, State winners in the Junior and Senior Divisions are invited to advance to the national competition, typically held in January of the following year. Judging for the adult state winners is typically held in December.

National MIWW also sponsors a Design Division for college-age students majoring in Fashion or Apparel Design. Judging for the Design Division is typically done in November. Entry Forms and additional information can be found on the MIWW website: makeitwithwool.com. For more information on the Wisconsin contest, contact Lorrie Reimer at wisconsinmiww@gmail.com.