Cass County 4-H Clothing Project

This new project is an effort to add creativity and pizzazz to our clothing and textiles program. There are three different creative areas in this project that are listed below. The exhibit items must be a wearable garment or accessory. Members can choose to enroll in one of these project levels.

Suggested Learning Experiences

You may wish to enroll in this project for several years learning new skills each year for your skill level.  Each year, choose seven activities or learning experiences related to this area to complete the project.  Learning experiences could be learning different techniques of embellishments and fabric manipulation,  attending workshops, tours, giving a demonstration, teaching a project lesson, exhibiting at the fair,  participating in the fashion revue,  or creating an expo display.

Enroll In:

            Beginner Level – 1-2 years in sewing projects

            Intermediate Level – 3-4 years in sewing projects

            Advanced Level – 5 or more years in sewing projects

Creativity Through Recycling

Recycling fabric means-to-reuse or renew the fabric/garments to lengthen its useful life.  Recycling is an excellent way to obtain the most value from the baric/garment. In addition, recycling can stretch the budget, help keep wardrobes up-to-date and provide creative self-satisfaction.

Fabric suitable for recycling may come from a variety of sources. Look for items in the closet that have not been worn for some time, search at garage sales, rummage sales or second- hand stores. Also consider using blankets, sheets, bedspreads, pillowcases, towels, table runners, throw rugs, curtains, or upholstery. 

Restyling changes part of the garment. This includes updating a garment to meet current fashion trends or removing worn parts of the garment.

Makeovers are items cut from existing fabric. Generally, a smaller garment or article is cut from the original piece. Examples might include a vest from a skirt, children’s wear from an adult’s garment or a bathrobe from a bedspread.

Exhibits can be a sewn garment or accessory which is recycled from some previous existence.  Examples might include but not be limited to garments made from an old garment, belts, purse made from old upholstery, etc.  The exhibit should meet reasonable care requirements and be of a fabric suitable to the intended use and to your sewing ability.

            Beginner Level – 1-2 years in sewing projects

            Intermediate Level – 3-4 years in sewing projects

            Advanced Level – 5 or more years in sewing projects

Resources: “Recycling Clothing Using Your Sewing Skills”, Ohio State University Extension Fact Sheet, Textiles and Clothing.  http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/5000/5504.html

Fabric Creation or Manipulation

Fabric creation and significant fabric manipulation are defined as processes or techniques which result in the production of fabric and which occur before the fabric yardage is cut to a pattern for construction of a garment.  Fabric creation includes all of the processes through which fabric yardage is created. This could be machine or hand knitting, felting, fulling, weaving, machine or hand piecing, tanning of hides, etc. Significant fabric manipulation includes: dyeing, machine or hand quilting, painting, printing, stenciling, overall machine or hand embroidery, etc.

When preparing your exhibit, it should be a garment made from fabric created or manipulated before cutting out the garment. A significant portion of the total fabric used in the exhibit entry must have been created or manipulated by the exhibitor.  Your garment should be machine wash/dry and made of a firmly woven cotton or cotton blend, wool or wool blend, or a stable knits (minimal stretch) such as robe velour, polar fleece, t-shirt knits, etc.

            Intermediate Level – 3-4 years in sewing projects

            Advanced Level – 5 or more years in sewing projects

Creativity Through Costumes

Costumes are fun to create! They can be as simple or detailed as the designer desires. You might choose to make a costume for a one-time event such as a Halloween Party or a Theme Parade or perhaps make an elaborate Renaissance gown for a local theater production. 4-Her’s also may create a costume for an event such as School spirit Week following a theme such as ‘Black and White”, “Camo Wear”, or “Wild West.”  While these particular items may appear to be everyday wear, the garments are acceptable in the “Costume Category” if the intended purpose of the garment is as a costume. The possibilities are endless!!!!!!           

Safety and comfort are critical considerations when making a costume. Oversized or restrictive clothing can be unsafe as well as uncomfortable. Vision should not be restrictive. The wearer should be able to breath and speak easily. Long gown or robes should be easy to walk in. For after-dark activities, consider light-reflective fabrics, reflective tape, glow-in-the-dark parts or battery-operated lights.             

When exhibiting in this category, choose costumes for holidays, theater, or other uses. Your item must include sewing, but may or may not also include other techniques in combination with sewing.  Issues such as fabric selection and garment care and durability need not be as limiting for these special-purpose garments as for regular clothing.   It should meet reasonable care requirements and be of a fabric suitable to the intended use and to your sewing ability.

            Intermediate Level – 3-4 years in sewing projects

            Advanced Level – 5 or more years in sewing projects

Suggested Exhibit List

Beginner Level , 1-2 years in sewing projects

9185.    Sewn garment which is recycled from some previous existence. The exhibit should meet reasonable care requirements and be of a fabric suitable to the intended use and to beginning sewing standards.

9186.    Sewn accessory which is recycled from some previous existence. The exhibit should meet reasonable care requirements and be of a fabric suitable to the intended use and to beginning sewing standards.

9187.    Education display related to one of these areas.

Intermediate Level , 3-4 years in sewing projects

9188.    Sewn garment which is recycled from some previous existence.  The exhibit should meet reasonable care requirements and be of a fabric suitable to the intended use and to intermediate sewing standards.

9189.    Sewn accessory which is recycled from some previous existence.  The exhibit should meet reasonable care requirements and be of a fabric suitable to the intended use and to intermediate sewing standards.

9190.    Fabric creation or manipulation. Garment or complete outfit made from fabric created or manipulated before cutting out the garment. A significant portion of the total fabric used in the entry must have been created or manipulated by the exhibitor. Suggested fabrics include firmly woven cotton or cotton blend, wool or wool blend, or a stable knit (minimal stretch) such as robe velour, polar fleece, t-shirt knits, etc.

9191.    Costumes for holidays, theater, or other use. Must include sewing, but may include other techniques in combination with sewing. Issues such as fabric selection, garment care and durability need not be as limiting for these special-purpose garments. It should meet reasonable care requirements and be of a fabric suitable to the intended use and to intermediate sewing skills.

9192.    Educational display related to one of the areas.

Advanced Level , 5 or more years in sewing projects

9193.    Sewn garment which is recycled from some previous existence. Exhibit should meet reasonable care requirements, be of a fabric suitable to the intended use and advanced sewing skills. 

9194.    Sewn accessory which is recycled from some previous existence. Exhibit should meet reasonable care requirements, be of a fabric suitable to the intended use and advanced sewing skills.

9195.    Fabric creation or manipulation. Garment or complete outfit made from fabric created or manipulated before cutting out the garment. A significant portion of the total fabric used in the entry must have been created or manipulated by the exhibitor. Suggested fabrics include firmly woven cotton or cotton blend, wool or wool blend, or a stable knits (minimal stretch) such as robe velour, polar fleece, t-shirt knits, etc.

9196.    Costumes for holidays, theater, or other use. Must include sewing, but may include other techniques in combination with sewing. Issues such as fabric selection, garment care and durability need not be as limiting for these special-purpose garments. It should meet reasonable care requirements and be of a fabric suitable to the intended use and to advanced sewing skills.

9197.    Own Design . . . . . .

9198.    Educational display related to one of the areas.

Information adapted from:  “Creativity – through Embellishment and/or Fabric Manipulation.”  Pamela Olsen. OSU Extension Service. 2000.

“Embellishments.”  Pamela Olsen.  OSU Extension Service. 2000.

“Creativity – through Costumes.”  Patricia Dawson, OSU Extension Service. 2000.