Whiz Kid: Oakdale Teen's Hand-Sewn Wool Dress Takes Her to Arizona

Hill-Murray senior Sarah Thelen’s little black dress has an interesting pedigree.

The 17-year-old from Oakdale sewed it herself out of wool, and with it placed first in the senior division of Minnesota’s “Make it with Wool” contest, a competition run by the American Sheep Industry Association.

On Jan. 26, Thelen will travel to Scottsdale, AZ, to compete against wool whizzes from more than 30 states for 12 prizes—cash, sewing machines—and perform in a fashion show.

Oakdale Patch reporter Zac Farber spoke with Thelen and asked her about the wool-lined life.

Oakdale Patch: How did you get interested in sewing?

Sarah Thelen: My mom taught me to sew when I was in third grade, and that was also the year I joined 4-H. So she taught me to sew because there was a clothing contest, and ever since then I’ve really been involved in it.

Oakdale Patch: Why did you enter the “Make it With Wool” contest?

Thelen: My mom had heard about it from her 4-H friends who had entered it a couple times, and so she had my sister enter it, and I entered it last year, and then I entered it this year. Last year I didn’t place, but it was a good first-time experience to see what it’s like and how it’s different from other contests I’ve done through 4-H. I made a pair of wool pants and a vest.

Oakdale Patch: How would you describe the dress you made this year?

Thelen: It’s sleeveless, and it’s black, and it’s got little white polka dots on it, and it’s just a real simple style, but it’s very classic, and you can dress it up or you can wear it with sweaters. You can wear it year-round. I have red heels and jewelry that I wear with it. I made a basic black dress because you can wear it with everything. I used a Project Runway pattern that I found at the store. The wool I used wasn’t very thick, so it worked fine.

Oakdale Patch: Do you have more sewing projects on the horizon?

Thelen: I definitely will continue to keep sewing. It’s not that hard to sew with wool. People kind of get intimidated by it, but you don’t have to sew a wool coat the first time you start sewing, though I hope to make a wool coat either this coming year or the year after that.