Adrianna Clifford to compete in national competition

South Putnam High School's Adrianna (Adie) Clifford, daughter of Terry and Yvonne Clifford of Belle Union, will be traveling to Scottsdale, Ariz., to compete in the national Make It Yourself with Wool competition Jan. 28.

"Mom and I have worked there for many years," Clifford said. "It's been a childhood dream of mine ever since I can remember. I always looked up to those junior girls. I just always wanted to make something."

Adrianna Clifford

The state contest was conducted at the Indiana State Fair in August, where Clifford won the junior division with her blue wool pants and gray plaid belted cape.

The state contest involved sewing and modeling an outfit of at least 60 percent wool, and the outfit is judged, among other things, on creativity, practicality and coordination of material with garment design. Clifford sometimes wears her outfit to school, and says she's received compliments.

"The pants were quite a struggle," she said. "I had them fitted to myself, and then three days later they didn't fit. I had to frantically put in a zipper. I probably spent a couple hundred hours on that outfit before state."

The national contest is held in conjunction with the annual convention of the American Sheep Industry Association, and is open to all ages. The competition's purpose is to "promote the beauty and versatility of wool fabrics and yarns" and "to encourage personal creativity in sewing, knitting and crocheting with wool fabrics and yarns."

"It's overwhelming. There's a lot of emotion seeing that it's my dream. It's kind of unreal that I'm going to Arizona."

Clifford is also "super excited" about seeing "The White Shirt According to Me. Gianfranco Ferre" at the Phoenix Art Museum.

"To someone like me it's interesting. I've always had a thing for fashion. It is cool to see society's perspectives change on clothing, and how fashion can express your personality. I always say that if I fail out of college I'll go into fashion."

Clifford, 16, is self-taught and has been sewing for nine years. This past 4-H contest was the second year in a row that she's placed in the top 15 of the "fashion review and sewing wearable" event. She often sews her own clothes, and says most people can't tell the difference. Her mom is "a big mentor," but Paula Birt and Anita Peters have been helpful as well.

She is trying to decide whether to be a biomedical engineer or a nuclear medicine physician who works with cancer patients. But for now -- between swimming, tennis, riding horses, FFA and 4-H -- she's got plenty to keep her busy. And with the national competition coming up, there's a lot on her mind.

"All the seams and threads have to be trimmed. No wrinkles; you have to press (iron) it a lot. I can't tell you how many hours I've spent pressing the outfit. I keep telling my mom, 'This has to be perfect because it's nationals. This isn't state anymore.'"