Seven Years of Learning with Make It With Wool
Earlier this month, several students, Christine, and I participated in the California Make It With Wool Contest. This was my sixth time entering over seven years, and it has been quite a journey!
I have nearly 50 years of sewing experience, including years as a professional bridal gown designer, but one thing I’ve learned is that there is always more to learn. The contest has challenged me to stretch my skills, reconsider my design choices, and think differently about what makes a successful garment.
A Few Lessons Along the Way
My first entry was in 2020, during the pandemic. I entered a Regency-inspired bonnet and Spencer jacket, only to discover that my fabric didn't meet the contest's wool-content requirements. Rookie mistake! I was disqualified from winning, but the experience introduced me to a wonderful community and left me eager to try again.
In 2021, I returned with a 1930s wool cape and coordinating skirt—and won first place in California. That win encouraged me to push my skills further. My 2022 entry, a black-and-white plaid dress and Chanel-style jacket with quilted silk lining and special trims, won California again and placed third nationally.
Over the following years, I experimented with different silhouettes, tailoring techniques, and more elaborate designs. I also learned that what I love most about a garment doesn't necessarily align with what judges value. An outfit can be beautifully made and visually striking, yet another entry may succeed because of its practicality, versatility, or overall execution.
That was an important reminder to look beyond my own aesthetic preferences and consider a garment from different perspectives.
What I've Learned
Participating in this contest has taught me several things:
There is always room to grow. No matter how much experience you have, there are new techniques to explore and skills to refine.
Fit, proportion, and wearability matter. Beautiful construction is important, but so is creating something that works for the person wearing it.
Feedback is an opportunity. Judges' comments have helped me see my work more objectively and reconsider choices I might otherwise have overlooked.
Winning isn't the only measure of success. I've had wonderful wins, disappointing results, and plenty of surprises. Each experience has taught me something.
Your style will evolve. Over the years, I've moved away from historical costuming and elaborate statement pieces toward classic, comfortable clothing that fits my everyday life.
This Year's Entries: Designing for Real Life
For 2026, I decided to make garments I would actually wear regularly. My style has changed, and I wanted my entries to reflect that—classic pieces that feel comfortable, work together, and stand the test of time.
I entered a three-piece ensemble of a plaid skirt, button-down shirt, and oversized sweater vest, along with a two-piece brown-and-pink outfit featuring a skirt upcycled from a vintage, moth-eaten scarf.
I'm delighted that the three-piece ensemble won first place and the upcycled outfit took third. Both have advanced to national judging in their respective categories!
Just as exciting, our Sewing Room community continues to grow within the contest. This year, four adults participated, along with our student Aria in the Junior category. Amy earned second place for her beautiful dress, and it was wonderful to see so many talented young people, teens, and adults sharing their work.
Why I Keep Coming Back
The Make It With Wool Contest gives me a reason to challenge myself, learn new techniques, and spend time thinking deeply about fabric, construction, and design. It also reminds me how much creativity and talent exist in our sewing community.
After seven years, my biggest takeaway is that sewing is never a finished education. Our skills evolve, our tastes change, and there is always another project that can teach us something new.
And that, perhaps, is the best reason to keep making things.
Until Next Time, Happy Sewing
xo Jenifer