Natalie Sensenig of Denver has been taking part in sewing competitions since she can remember. Taught by both her mother and her grandmother, Sensenig has entered her creations in fairs, in 4-H competitions, and in 2020, she represented Pennsylvania in the national Make It With Wool competition in Scottsdale, Ariz.

As a seasoned competitor, Sensenig was prepared to be a contender in the 2021 PA Make It With Wool competition held in the PA Preferred Banquet Hall of the Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg on Oct. 1. Sensenig is familiar with the abilities of other sewers in her age group. "We have been competing against each other for years," she said. So she had the competition sized up before she sewed the first seam in her plaid outfit. "I knew what I had to do to win," said Sensenig, who took home first place in the senior division and will travel to Fort Worth, Texas, in January to take part in the competition to be held there from Thursday, Jan. 19, to Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023.

Sensenig, who graduated from Cocalico High School in 2015, watched her grandmother run her own business making drapes and later wedding dresses. Sensenig attended Lancaster Bible College, graduating with degrees in elementary education and biblical studies. "For a long time (sewing) was just a hobby," said Sensenig, who currently teaches preschool at the Ephrata Rec Center. "A few years ago, my friends started getting married, and they asked if I could do alterations for their wedding dresses." Sensenig likes to say she "accidentally" started a side business doing alterations. When not working or sewing, she enjoys travel.

When Sensenig took part in her first Make It With Wool competition, she was given a piece of plaid fabric. "As soon as I saw the fabric, I pictured this outfit with a skirt," said Sensenig, who had to devise a pattern when none existed for the skirt and top combination with a jacket. "I added the collar to the jacket, and it had buttons to close, but I changed it to a zipper." For the dress, she combined a shirt pattern with a full circle skirt and added a lining to the top. Sensenig changed up the jacket lining as well to add interest. "I don't like boring linings," she said. "A solid color is just not my thing." The red color of the jacket is called peony. Sensenig searched for an interesting pattern that combined a cream background with flowers in that color of red to line the jacket.

In Fort Worth, the judges will examine Sensenig's garment flat the first day. The second day, Sensenig will model the garment and be judged on her poise along with the wearability and construction of the dress and jacket. During those three minutes, the judges will ask questions. "That's when I will explain how I combined the patterns and my favorite and most difficult parts of making it," Sensenig said.

Sensenig believes she will compete against about 25 others at the national level. She said that if she wins first place, she might use the significant monetary prize to buy more fabric or to travel.

More information about the competition may be found at https://makeitwithwool.com.