Sheep to Shawl Showcase

Overview:
This non-competitive event will showcase teams of fiber artists preparing washed fleece for spinning, spinning wool yarns, and weaving a shawl from the yarns, all within a 4½ hour time period. We welcome new and experienced teams for this no-stress, fun, team experience to promote wool and the fiber arts to the public. This year's theme will be "Whimsical Wonders of Wool" if your team would like to add some extra fun and challenge to your participation.

Event Guidelines:

Rules and Information:

1. Teams will work toward weaving a shawl of their own design, color, and pattern, choosing. There are no size requirements for the shawl. The only shawl requirement is that both warp and weft yarn must be 100% sheep wool of any breed(s).
2. Teams may use any style of loom including manual, dobby, or rigid heddle. No minimum or maximum number of harnesses. Loom is to arrive at the Showcase warped with wool yarn and tied on only, no header woven. (Any material may be used to weave the header.)
3. Spinning and carding equipment can be manual or electric.
4. Warp can be commercial or handspun, natural colored or hand-dyed, but must be 100% wool. Teams can use any process for preparing weft fiber including picking, flicking, hand carding, combing, and/or drumcarding. Weft yarns can be singles or plied.
5. Teams.Each Sheep-to-Shawl Team is to consist of not more than ten (10) people to fulfill the following roles: weaver, spinner, plyer, carder/fiber prep, go-fer, and an “Educational Liaison”. The Educational Liaison’s job is interacting, communicating, and demonstrating information to the public.
   • Teams may have a maximum of seven members, including the Educational Liaison, in their work area at any one time. Team members may be switched in and out at any time throughout the event, so long as there are never more than seven members within the work area at one time.
   • Team members, including the Educational Liaison, may switch roles at any time during the event. Teams must list all team members, up to twelve, on the registration form. Only participants on the team roster may participate during the event.
   • Teams must always have members working in their space throughout the event. Team members can rotate in and out for breaks and lunch.
   • There will be a maximum of four teams.
   • Team registration fee is $25.
6. The 2025 Showcase theme is "Whimsical Wonders of Wool". There is no requirement that teams utilize this theme in their planning. If they choose to do so, consider your team dress, educational display, shawl design, etc.
7. The Wisconsin Sheep & Wool Festival will provide each team with two 8-foot tables and 7 chairs. Teams may bring their own tables/chairs if preferred. Each team will have a space allocated of approximately 10×20’. All team participants and their equipment must remain inside this space.
8. Teams are responsible for providing extension cords needed for any electric equipment or lighting and must provide tape for securing all extension cords to the floor for safety.
9. Each team will give a five-minute presentation on their shawl to the audience. Topics to consider:
   • the process used to design the shawl and organize your team
   • information about your shawl design (pattern, colors, warp and weft qualities)
   • challenges you might have encountered
   • any other information that would be educational to the audience
   • feel free to be creative…there are no “hard and fast” guidelines for your presentation. Think about what you can share to provide the audience the most educational value.
10. The following recognitions will be given:
    • People’s Choice — selected by public ballot for overall team impression
    • Educational Display — selected by public ballot for best educational display
    • Whimsical Wonders of Wool award — selected by event coordinators

    Teams receiving recognitions will receive award ribbons. All participants will receive a Showcase printed duffle. All Showcase participants will receive a Showcase printed duffle.

Questions about the Sheep to Shawl Showcase: Contact Deb Jones, email [email protected].