Clothing

• Description
• Events
• Activity Plans
• County Fair
• Related Links
• Project Support

Description

Clothing is a national 4-H project. It features curriculum that will guide you through the project. For a copy contact your County 4-H Office or order online at National 4-H Service Supply. For additional curriculum possibilities, explore the National Directory of 4-H Materials and do a key word search for Clothing.

Clothing 1
What you can do in this project: identify sewing tools and machine parts; thread a sewing machine and identify fabrics; select and purchase a pattern; sort clothes for laundry and remove stains; donate a sewing project.
Grades: 3-5
Resources: 08060, Under Construction
07198, Let’s Sew! Beginner’s Sewing Guide

Clothing 2
What you can do in this project: identify types of fabric constructions; sew different buttonholes and seam finishes; use pressing tools and thread a serger; research different laundry products.
Grades: 6-8
Resource: 08061, Fashion Forward

Clothing 3
What you can do in this project: use specialized sewing tools or equipment; combine patterns to create a design; create outdoor wear; design and embellish a garment; use a computer to print on fabric.
Grades: 9-12
Resource: 08062, Refine Design

Clothing Leader
Resources: 08063, Sewing Expressions Helper’s Guide
4H500, I'm a 4-H Project Leader. Now What Do I Do?

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Events

Want to learn more about Clothing? Try the links below or link to an upcoming 4-H event on the Calendar.

Clothing Project Training
Many counties hold local training for members and leaders in their favorite project areas, including clothing. Watch your county 4-H Family newsletter or contact your county Extension office for details.

Make It Yourself with Wool Contest: National
Annual contest sponsored by the American Sheep Industry Association to promote wool and generate new interest in sewing with wool among young people.

Make It Yourself with Wool Contest: Wisconsin
Annual contest held during the Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival in Jefferson, WI..

Wisconsin 4-H and Youth Conference
If you're in grades 8-10, check out the next Wisconsin 4-H and Youth Conference, scheduled each June at the UW-Madison campus. The conference offers educational seminars in most areas of 4-H. Contact your county Extension office for details.

Wisconsin State Fair Clothing Revue
4-H youth model clothing that they've made themselves in an almost-professional run-way fashion show during the state fair each August. Look for latest information under Wisconsin State Fair Youth Exhibits.

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Activity Plans

Learning by doing . . . that's been the 4-H way for 100 years! Dive into these fun clothing activities. Click on the file for a complete lesson plan.

• Bag It! (2 pages, 142 KB) Hand stitch a bean bag animal.
• Casserole Carriers (2 pages, 1030 KB) How to make casserole carriers for 9x13 inch and 1 ½ quart sizes.
• Collage Banner (1 page, 45 KB) Sew and decorate a banner.
• Curling Iron Caddy (2 pages, 850 KB) How to make a caddy for a curling iron.
• Hair Ruffle (1 page, 866 KB) How to make a circular hair ruffle.
• Holes and More Holes (2 pages, 42 KB) Test fabric with sandpaper.
• Key Ring Holiday Ornament (2 pages, 306 KB) How to make key ring holiday ornaments.
• License to Drive (3 pages, 62 KB) Use a sewing machine to stitch a pattern on a paper template.
• Placemat Apron (3 pages, 345 KB) How to make a placement apron.
• Potpourri Hot Pad (3 pages, 1850 KB) How to make a potpourri hot pad for Valentine's Day.
• Puppet Party (2 pages, 134 KB) Use a sewing machine to make a puppet.
• Quick Quilt Ornament Coaster (2 pages, 2280 KB) How to make a quick quilt ornament coaster.
• Soda Can Insulator (2 pages, 286 KB) How to make a soda can insulator.
• Stitch It! (4 pages, 308 KB) Use yarn and tapestry needle to sew basic stitches on to pattern cards.
• Wheelchair Bag (4 pages, 730 KB) How to make a wheelchair bag.

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County Fair

The county fair . . . what a great time it is! Every summer, families flock to county fairs to see the latest 4-H project exhibits. Exhibiting is a fun and educational way for youth to showcase their project work to judges and to the public. Judging materials are supported by Bill Shaw in memory of his wife, Shirley.

• Application for Registration as a Registered Judge for Wisconsin Fairs (1 page, 20 KB) Form to use if you want to become a registered judge in Wisconsin.
• County Fair Exhibit Ideas and Tips for County Fair Exhibitors (6 pages, 51 KB)
• What Judges Are Looking For (2 pages) See this article in Cutting Edge, a newsletter for 4-H clothing members and leaders, that focuses on the qualities and techniques that most judges look for when judging the construction of a garment.

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Related Links

There’s so much more to learn in the 4-H Clothing Project. Just follow these links!

American Sewing Guild
Site features discounts for sewing-related materials and tools. You can also find the latest news from the sewing industry, and information on membership for the American Sewing Guild.

Coats & Clark
Site with how-to's, free projects and more for sewing and quilting, knitting and crochet, machine and hand embroidery.

FabricLink
Learn about fabrics, apparel and clothing care.

Fabrics.net
An information, resource and referral network, featuring information about fabrics, trims, care, embroidery, knitting, vintage fabric and quilting.

McCall Pattern Company
Find everything from patterns to designs, as well as links to other sewing sites.

Nancy’s Notions
Up-to-date sewing techniques and designs.

National 4-H Online Sewing Project
Activities and links to sewing sites for youth, volunteers and educators.

Oconto County 4-H Project Resources
This web site provides links for many family, home and health projects including fun project ideas in clothing.

Pfaff
Up-to-date sewing, embroidery, software and ironing ideas from Pfaff sewing brand.

Sewing & Craft Alliance
Provides educational information and creative resources to the sewing and crafting enthusiast.

Sewing.Org
Site for free sewing and craft projects, learn to sew articles, SEW-lutions Guidelines, and the My Sewing and Craft Room section - a place to share your creative space.

Simplicity Pattern Company
Thousands of pattern ideas including archived and up-to-fashion choices.

Vintage Pattern Lending Library
Site to buy or borrow sewing patterns and publications from 1840 to 1950.

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Project Support

For more information on the 4-H Clothing Project, contact the following:

Cooperative Extension Media Collection
This lending library features several clothing and sewing resources.

UW-Extension County 4-H Offices
This is your link to a list of Wisconsin County Extension Offices. Select the county of your choice.

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