Guidelines for 4-H Clothing Construction Projects
The 4-H clothing construction program enables youth to develop the competencies, knowledge and skills necessary to create clothing they enjoy wearing. 4-H members can progress through skill levels at their own rate. In the Clothing and Textiles project, youth gain consumer skills in making, purchasing and caring for clothing and accessories. 4-H members can choose to sew for personal pleasure, to exhibit garments or accessories at fairs, to participate in Fashion Revue or judging events, to take part in field trips and tours, and to sew items for community service projects. The project can be taken independently, as part of a 4-H club, or as a family unit. Older, more experienced 4-H members in this project can serve as junior/teen leaders, helping plan programs and teaching others.
Skill Level: Beginner (1st & 2nd Year Sewers) Suggested Projects Suggested Fabrics Knowledge & Skills
Look for projects using no • Broadcloth • Basic sewing tools, pattern or very simple • Calico notions, and terms commercial patterns with straight • Denim (soft) • Sew on buttons, simple stitching and only a few pattern • Drill repairs pieces. • Duck • Basic hand stitching • Felt • Operating a sewing • Aprons • Gingham machine • Laundry bag • Kettle • Straight machine sewing • Square Pillows cloth/weavers • Selecting and pre-treating • Pin cushion • Muslin fabric • Tote • Poplin • Fabric grain lines, pattern bag layout • Pot holders • Pinning and Cutting • Placemats • Following directions • Washcloth slippers • Basic seam and seam finish • Stuffed animals • Gathers • Hand puppets • Machine hems • Needle book • Turning inside out • Assemble sewing kit/box • Pressing • Safety
Skill Level: Beginner (1st & 2nd Year Sewers) Suggested Projects Suggested Fabrics Knowledge & Skills
Look for easy patterns with All of previous All of previous level plus: mostly straight seams, facings, level plus: armholes, and neckline. • Fabric care and content • Chintz • Measuring for pattern • Drawstring or elastic casing • Dotted Swiss size skirt, shorts or pants • Double knits • Selecting appropriate • Simple pullover jumper or • Polar fleece/terry pattern and fabric shirt cloth for hat or • Pattern envelope and • Wrap pants or skirt accessories guide sheet • Mittens • Pattern symbols • Buttonless vest • Transfer of markings • Hats • More about sewing • Head/Neck bands tools/notions • Poncho or cape • Fixing mistakes • Lunch/shopping bag • Straightening fabric grain • Thread tension • Press as you sew • Casings for drawstrings or elastic • Curved seams and stay stitching • Clipping, trimming, grading, notching • Facings • Basic linings • Understitching, topstitching • Rolling lining or facing to be inconspicuous on right side • Fasteners: snaps, hooks and eyes, hook and loop tape • Reinforcing crotch seams Create a costume • Clothing care, stain removal • Fibers/fabric, weaves • Wardrobe inventory • Comparative shopping Skill Level: Average (3rd & 4th Year Sewers) Suggested Projects Suggested Fabrics Knowledge & Skills
Look for patterns with a few All of previous All of previous level plus: specialized construction level plus: techniques. • More about seams, seam • Chambray finishes • A-line skirt • Flannel (cotton • Introduction to sergers • Culottes blend) • Basic pattern adjustments • Vest with buttons • Quilted • More about pattern and • Skirt with facing or waistband • Seersucker fabric selection for skill • Nightgown/night shirt • Single knits level • Sleeveless or short-sleeve • Pressing with the grain blouse, shirt Interfacing • Dress or jumper • Darts, tucks, simple pleats • T-shirt • Sleeves, elastic and • Pajamas simple cuffs • Bathrobe • Waistband, bands, knit • Zippered pencil case ribbing • Patchwork tote bag • Zippers (centered or lapped) • Patch or in-seam pockets • Hem finishes, hand hems • Buttonholes and fasteners • Yokes • Collars • Ruffles • Textile science • Clothing sizing • Clothing and cleaning costs • Care of clothing • Organize sewing space and tools • Community service sewing • Projects: “Sew from the Heart” Skill Level: Average (3rd & 4th Year Sewers) Suggested Projects Suggested Fabrics Knowledge & Skills
Look for patterns using more All of All of previous level plus: specialized construction previous level techniques. plus: • More on pattern adjustment • Fitting and Garment • Slacks, pants, shorts • Challis alterations • Jogging suits • Crepe • Choosing construction • Gifts and clothing for others • Denim (stiff) techniques appropriate for • Long sleeve shirt or dress • Fleece fabric • Unlined jacket or blazer • Flannel (wool) • More on seams, reinforcing, • Lined cape • Gabardine and finishing • Caftan • Gauze • More on hems & hem finishes • Herringbone • Front hip pockets • Homespun • Trims and specialty machine • Linen stitches • Pique • More on sewing machine • Plaids accessories and sergers (even) • Cleaning, maintenance, • Stripes care of sewing machine • Terrycloth • More on interfacing • Tweed application, collars, cuffs, • Voile zippers, fasteners • Faced pockets • Simple tailoring techniques • Matching stripes and plaids • Plan/organize/participate in community service “Sewing from the Heart” • Price/market sewn items • Occupations/careers in textiles and clothing Skill Level: Advanced (5 Years & More Sewers) Suggested Projects Suggested Fabrics Knowledge & Skills
Encourage multi-pieced All of previous level plus: All of the above plus: outfits with advanced techniques. • 2-way stretch knits • Fine tune pattern • Batiste, chiffons, adjustments and fitting skills • Pleated skirts georgette, organdy, • Specialty fabrics • Suits organza, voile • More about pleats and • Evening wear • Brocade, cire, crepe tucks • Swimsuits de chine, satin • Continuous bound or shirt • Exercise wear • Coated nylons, nylon • plackets • Sewing for sports • Taffeta, Ripstop nylon • Placket bands • Outdoor wear and • Eyelet, lace, net • More on tailoring accessories • Leather, suede, fake techniques • Felted/Wadmal projects furs “Lightweight • Linings and underlinings • Costumes silkies” • Bound buttonholes • Lined jackets, blazers, • Melton • Bound and welt pockets coats • Plaids (uneven) • Mitering • Spandex, Lycra • Vents • Trico • More on pressing and tools • Velour, velvet, • Specialty fasteners and velveteen notions • Personalizing, embellishing garments • Sharing sewing skills, knowledge • Decorative serging • Time saving sewing • Commercial sewing techniques • Felting/wadmal • Recycle/redesign clothing • Fabric dyeing • Costume design and construction • Textile science • Sew business entrepreneur skills • Community service sewing projects “Sew from the Heart”
Created: 9/2009 Update: 1/2019