Manuals available.
State Fair Entries:
Each county will be allowed to send one exhibitor from each grade level of wearable and non-wearable categories.
** Fair Entry – You MUST register your 4-H project in Fair Entry if you plan to exhibit at the 4-H Fair. See page 21! **
Additional project information will be mailed in March.
This is a series on how to sew. Participants sew garments of increasing difficulty as they progress. The requirements range from simple items to a tailored suit or coat.
In the Senior Division:
- Only honor group projects are eligible for state fair entry.
- State Fair selection in the Sewing Project and Fashion Revue will be held immediately after judging. Projects will be released after State Fair entries have been selected.
- Below is a list of the county and state projects requirements.
- 4-H members may enter projects in each of 2 categories:
- wearable sewn item
- non-wearable sewn item
Level A (Grade 3)
Skills to learn and include in exhibit:
Include at least 2 skills in the exhibit:
Insert elastic or drawstring
Sew and trim a crotch curve
Machine topstitch hems
Use a simple seam finish
Stitch in the ditch
Exhibit:
- Wearable: Elastic waist shorts, pants, or skirt with fold over casing; no pockets. Attach Sewing Skills Card (4-H 925C-W) to the exhibit.
- Non-Wearable: Simple pillow sham with lapped back opening and purchased pillow form (following instructions provided in manual) OR simple totebag with handles or drawstring. Attach Sewing Skills Card (4-H 925C-W) to the exhibit.
Level A (Grade 4)
Skills to Learn and Include in Exhibit:
Seam finishes are recommended on all exposed seams.
Include at least 2 skills in the exhibit:
Use interfacing
Stitch curved seams
Staystitch and understitch
Trim and grade seams
Apply a facing or binding
Work with fiberfill
Machine topstitch hems
Exhibit:
Wearable: Shorts, pants OR skirt with partial or full sewn-on waistband or waistline facing, or partial elastic waistband (not a full elastic waistband) OR simple shirt or top OR BBQ apron. Attach Sewing Skills Card (4-H 925c-W) to the exhibit.
Non-wearable: Shaped pillow with curved seams, stuffed and sewn closed OR hanging pocket organizer OR bound edge placemats (set of 4). Attach Sewing Skills Card (4-H 925c-W) to the exhibit.
Level B (Grade 5)
Skills to Learn and Include in Exhibit:
Seam finishes are recommended on all exposed seams (except knits). Interfacing, understitching and trimming should be used when appropriate. Choose at least 3 of these additional skills for each sewn exhibit.
match fabric design
apply machine topstitching
gather fabric
do a machine topstitched hem
insert zipper
sew with knit
use a drawstring
insert elastic
hand-stitch a hem
apply facings
sew a simple sleeve
sew buttons
apply purchased trim or ribbins
apply binding
sew patch or inseam pockets
use batting
use a simple lining
do a machine blind hem
Exhibit:
Wearable: Simple shirt with sleeves OR sundress OR jumper OR simple 2 piece pajamas. A similar article is permissible provided the skillset is the same as the listed articles. Attach Sewing Skills Card (4-H 926C-W) to the exhibit.
Non-wearable: Pillow lap quilt (quillow) OR structured duffel bag, tote bag or backpack, OR sewn hat. Attach Sewing Skills Card (4-H 926C-W) to the exhibit.
Level B (Grade 6)
Skills to Learn and Include in Exhibit:
Seam finishes are recommended on all exposed seams (except knits). Interfacing, understitching and trimming should be used when appropriate.
Choose at least 4 of these additional skills for each sewn exhibit.
make darts
apply ribbings
set in sleeves
sew a simple collar
insert a lapped zipper
do a machine blind hem
hand-stitch a hem
sew with knit
make buttonholes
match fabric design
sew tucks or pleats
use fiberfill
sew ruffles
apply machine appliqué
hand sew buttons
insert piping
apply trim
apply machine topstitching
sew a simple lining
construct with a serger
sew patch pockets
sew inseam pockets
apply bindings
apply ribbings
do a machine topstitched hem
sew facings
Exhibit:
Wearable: Two (2) garments that can be worn together. Attach Sewing Skills Card (4-H 926D-W) to the exhibit.
Non-wearable: Pillow sham with button or zipper closing, appliqued design, piping or ruffle. Make your own pillow form OR totebag with zipper or duffel bag with zipper, pockets and lining OR doll or pet clothes OR construction techniques sample notebook (following instructions provided in the manual). Attach Sewing Skills Card (4-H 926D-W) to the exhibit.
Level C (Grade 7) Skills to Learn and Include in Exhibit: Seam finishes are recommended on all exposed seams (except knits). Interfacing, understitching, and trimming should be used when appropriate. Choose at least 5 of these additional skills (continued on next page) for each sewn exhibit:
make darts
do a hand-stitched hem
set in sleeves
do a machine topstitched hem
sew facing
do a machine blind hem
apply ribbing
attach cuffs
apply a collar
apply binding
sew on buttons
sew lining
use doll joints
apply ruffles
apply inseam pockets
insert piping
apply front hip pockets
make buttonholes
match fabric design
use fiberfill
apply trims
apply patch pockets
apply machine or hand appliqué
use a twin needle
apply machine topstitching
apply tucks/pleats
insert a lapped zipper
construct with a serger
insert an invisible zipper
apply machine embroidery
insert a separating zipper
insert a fly front zipper
do machine quilting
Exhibit:
Wearable: School or sports outfit. Can be one or more pieces. Attach Sewing Skills Card (4-H 927C-W) to the exhibit.
Non-wearable: Dressed, jointed (with sockets) stuffed animal OR sewn item for holiday or special occasion OR construction techniques sample notebook (following instructions provided in manual). Attach Sewing Skills Card (4-H 927C-W) to the exhibit.
Level c (Grades 8 and 9) (See Fashion Revue categories)
Skills to Learn and Include in Exhibit:
Seam finishes are recommended on all exposed seams (except knits and non-raveling specialty fabrics). Interfacing, understitching and trimming should be used when appropriate. In addition, choose at least 6 of these skills (continued on next page) for each sewn exhibit:
make darts
do hand beading
make tucks
add inseam pockets
add lining
add welt pockets
add facings
use twin needle
add plackets
create bound edges
add lapels
do machine or hand quilting
make sleeves
apply machine or hand applique
add gathers
apply machine topstitching
apply trim
insert an invisible zipper
apply ribbing
insert a separating zipper
add a drawstring
insert a fly front zipper
use shaped seams
insert a lapped zipper
use fiberfill
insert a hand-picked zipper
add a waistband
do a machine topstitched hem
add patch pockets
do a machine blind hem
add front hip pockets
do a hand-stitched hem
match fabric design
make self-covered buttons
make shoulder pads
use specialty threads
attach cuffs
make self-enclosed seams
make pleats
sew with difficult fabric
insert elastic
make machine buttonholes
add boning
make bound buttonholes
apply a collar
make bound buttonholes
insert piping
apply machine embroidery
make a neckband
do hand beading
add vents
add ruffles
sew buttons
sew with knit
add underlining
make button loops
Exhibit:
Wearable: See advanced sewing wearable exhibit options below. Attach Sewing Skills Card (4-H 928C-W) to the exhibit.
Non-wearable: Sewn items for your home OR construction techniques sample notebook OR sewing machine survey. (Following instructions provided in manual.) Attach Sewing Skills Card (4-H 928C-W) to the exhibit. (“Sewn Items for Your Home” is a very broad category. The 4-H member must be able to explain to the judge how the exhibit is used in the home.)
Level D (Grades 10-12) (See Fashion Revue categories)
NOTE: 4-H members in Level D may enter 2 wearable garments in 2 different categories. You can win in only one wearable category. Judges will make the final decision.
Skills to Learn and Include in Exhibit:
Seam finishes are recommended on all exposed seams (except knits and non-raveling specialty fabrics).
Interfacing, understitching and trimming should be used when appropriate. In addition, choose at least 6 of these skills (continued on next page) for each sewn exhibit:
make darts
insert a separating zipper
make tucks
insert a fly front zipper
add lining
insert a lapped zipper
add facings
insert a hand-picked zipper
add plackets
do a machine topstitched hem
add lapels
do a machine blind hem
make sleeves
do a hand-stitched hem
add gathers
make self-covered buttons
apply trim
use specialty threads
apply ribbing
make self-enclosed seams
add a drawstring
sew with difficult fabric
use shaped seams
construct with a serger
use fiberfill and/or batting
make machine buttonholes
add a waistband
make bound buttonholes
add patch pockets
piece quilted item
add front hip pockets
other skills not listed above
match fabric design
add ruffles
make shoulder pads
sew with knit
apply machine embroidery
make button loops
coordination of fabric for quilted item
do hand beading
attach cuffs
add inseam pockets
make pleats
add welt pockets
insert elastic
use twin needle
add boning
create bound edges
apply a collar
hand/machine beading
insert piping
make a reversible item
make a neckband
do machine or hand quilting
add vents
apply machine or hand appliqué
sew buttons
apply machine topstitching
add underlining
insert an invisible zipper
Exhibit:
Wearable: See advanced sewing wearable exhibit options below. Attach Sewing Skills Card (4-H 928C-W) to the exhibit.
Non-wearable: Sewn items for your home OR construction techniques sample notebook OR sewing machine survey. (Following instructions provided in manual.) Attach Sewing Skills Card (4-H 928C-W) to the exhibit
Level: Advanced Sewing Wearable Exhibits (Levels C & D) (Fashion Revue Categories)
Exhibit:
DEFINITION OF AN OUTFIT: An outfit is a garment or garments that when put together make a complete look - such as one or two piece dress, or one or two piece pant suit, or a three piece combination, such as pants, vest, and blouse or shirt.
***Informal or Casual Wear: A complete outfit of 1 or 2 pieces suitable for school, weekend, or casual, informal activities.
***Dress Up: This is suitable for special, church, or social occasions that are not considered to be formal. It may be an outfit of one or more pieces with or without its own costume coat or jacket (lined or unlined). This is not an outfit that would be worn to school, weekend, or casual, informal activities.
***Free Choice: A complete outfit comprised of garments that do not fit in the other classifications. Examples include: tennis wear, swim wear, athletic or sportswear, lounge wear, riding habits, historic, dance, theatrical, or international costumes, capes, and unlined coats.
***Suit or Coat: The suit consists of two pieces including a skirt or pants and its own lined jacket. It is not a dress with jacket as in "dress up wear". The coat is a separate lined coat. It will be judged separately as a coat with its own accessories.
***Separates: Consists of three garments that must be worn as a coordinated complete outfit. Each piece should be versatile enough to be worn with other garments.
***Formal Wear: This outfit may be one or more pieces suitable for any formal occasion, such as proms, weddings, and formal evening functions.
