· MP-459 LOOK YOUR BEST UNIT 3 TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION SERVICE J. E. Hutchison, Director, College Station, Texas What Is 4-Hl Did you know that as a 4-H member, you belong to an organization which has more than 100,000 members in Texas and more than 2 million in the United States? 4-H Club work i~ the youth phase of the Texas Agricultural Extension Service. 4-H Club work is voluntary. There are no dues and 4-H is not a school subject. To become a 4-H member, an individual must be between the ages of 9 and 21, must want to be a member, know about 4-H work and what is expected. 4-H members learn improved practices in agriculture, home economics and related fields by carrying on 4-H result demonstrations. 4-H is a family affair in which you and your parents with the advice of adult leaders and county Extension agents, decide on your result demonstration. You will work with an adult leader in a subject-matter group to develop your result demon­ stration. You will learn principles and practices that apply to your demonstration. You will learn useful and practical skills. Adult leaders are the key persons in every 4-H Club. You and other members of your subject-matter group will work with your subject-matter leader to plan and carry out your group activities. The organization leader of your 4-H Club will help you and other club members plan and carry out the monthly club meetings and club activities. County Extension agents train and advise these adult leaders. The four-leaf clover is the accepted emblem. The letter "H" on each leaf stands for Head, Hearl, Hands and Health. This emblem is protected by the United States Department of Agriculture copyright. The 4-H colors are green and white. The 4-H prayer is "Help me, 0 lord, to live so that the world may be a little better, because Thou didst make me. Amen." In support of the 4-H Club Motto, "To Make the Best Better,·· I pledge: My Head to clearer thinking My Heart to greater loyalty My Hands to larger service and My Health to better living For my club, my community and my country. 4-H parents + adult 4-H leaders + county Extension agents, added to interested 4-H members = useful citizens. This is the 4-H Club team. You are an important member of this team. Acknowledgment is given to N ena Roberson, former extension clothing specialist, for her assistance in the preparation of the original manuscript. MEMBER GUIDE, LOOK YOUR BEST - UNIT 3 MARY ROUTH FANNIE BROWN EATON GRAHAM HARD RHEBA MERLE BOYLES EXTENSION CLOTHING SPECIALISTS Texas A&M University IN UNIT 3 OF THE 4-H CLOTHING DEM­ ONSTRATION, you will learn to make a dress that is becoming to you. You will learn more about how to buy and care for your clothing to look your best. Goals for Unit 3 As a member in the 4-H clothing demonstration group, Unit 3, you will: 1. Learn how to choose a pattern that is right for you. 2. Learn how to choose a fabric and findings for a dress. 3. Learn how to make a dress. 4. Learn how to choose accessories for your dress. 5. Learn to select and care for your bras, girdles and petticoats. 6. Practice good grooming habits. 7. Learn how to iron a dress and keep your clothes neatly pressed. 8. Show garments you made at an achievement event. 9. Keep clothing records. 10. Teach someone else at least two things you have learned. Other Demonstrations In Unit 3, you may: 1. Make a belt to go with your dress. 2. Make blouses and skirts. 3. Select a ready-made dress that is becoming to you. 4. Make your own Bedtime Fashions. Meeting 1 - Plans for Unit 3 At the first meeting of your clothing group. you will fill out this form so you will know when the activities planned will take place and who is responsible for them. You may want to invite your parents to this meeting. PLANS FOR MEETINGS OF 4-H CLOTHING DEMONSTRATION GROUP Date Time and place What is planned? Who will do it? . 4 Meeting 2 Selecting Your Dress Pattern YOU WILL LEARN fit with soft fullness in the skirt. The low oval I. The size pattern that fits you best. or V neckline will be most becoming. You should wear a narrow belt of self fabric or no belt at all. 2. The type pattern that fits you best. Solid colors or small prints will be your best choice 3. Becoming styles for you. in fabric. 4. How to check your sewing tools. For further information on line and design for REFERENCES your figure type, see L-299, Your Best Lines. L-353 Begin With the Right Pattern A STYLE THAT IS EASY TO MAKE L-299 Your Best Lines A pattern having only a few pieces and not too THE PATTERN THAT FITS YOU BEST many details will be easiest to make. A dress with Ask your leader or mother to help you to learn a gathered skirt, faced neckline and sleeveless or how to select a pattern that will fit you best. very short kimona sleeves will be easy to make. A Follow the instructions in L-353, Begin With the dress like the ones shown on the cover should be Right Pattern. easy to make. A STYLE THAT IS BECOMING TO YOU Look through the pattern book to find a pat­ tern that has good lines for you and one that will If you are of average size and proportion, almost not be difficult to make. any style will be becoming to you. If you are tall and slender, you may wear your CHECK YOUR SEWING TOOLS skirts fuller and shorter than the average or chubby You should have a sewing box and all the tools girl. You may wear dresses with contrasting bodice except the dressmaker pencil and the iron shown and skirt, wide belts, square and wide necklines. on the leaflet L-267, Sewing Tools You Will Need. If you are chubby, a slightly full skirt will be If you do not have good scissors, ask for a pair most becoming. Your dress should have an easy for your birthday or Christmas. Meeting 3 Select the Fabric and Findings YOU WILL LEARN 1. Shrinkage control 1. How to select a fabric that is right for you If the fabric bears a label "sanforized," this and the pattern you have chosen. means there will be practically no shrinkage in the garment. 2. More about findings for your dress. 3. Colors that are becoming to you. 2. Crease resistance Many fabrics are given special treatment to REFERENCE make them more wrinkle resistant. Some of the L-293 Colors for You terms used are "crease resistant," "minimum care/' "regulated," "disciplined" and "wrinkle shed." A BECOMING FABRIC Buy the amount of fabric called for on the THAT IS EASY TO SEW pattern envelope according to the size and the view There are many beautiful cotton fabrics from you have selected. which you may choose. For your dress, select a closely woven fabric of medium weight. A small Findings for the dress allover print or plain colo.r will be smart. Plaids Thread, zipper, buttons, snaps or hooks and and stripes must be matched. It takes more time, eyes and tape are called findings. Buy these at more fabric and special training to do fabrics that the time you buy the fabric and pattern for your must be matched. Look at the label or ask the dress. Look on the pattern envelope for suggestions sales person for information on: for the findings you will need. 5 Use mercerized cotton thread to match the color If your skirt is very flared, use a cotton of your fabric. If the fabric is printed, choose the tape to match or blend with the color of the color thread that blends with the background color fabric to finish the hem. of the fabric. If the fabric is plain, choose a thread A BECOMING COLOR that is slightly darker. Ask your leader or mother to help you to your most becoming color. A becoming color The color of the zipper should blend with the make your skin look clearer and bring out color of the fabric and be the correct weight for best in your hair and eyes. Study L-293, your fabric and correct type for the opening. for You. Meeting 4 - Getting Ready to Sew YOU WILL LEARN 5. Circle with pencil the cutting layout of 1. To straighten fabric. fabric width, size and view for your pattern. 2. To understand pattern markings and print­ LAY THE PATTERN: ed information on patterns. CUT AND MARK DRESS 3. To find correct pattern layout on guide You have already circled the pattern layout you sheet. will use. Follow the layout carefully when the pattern on the fabric. PREPARE THE FABRIC 1. When cutting two pieces, fold the fabric so 1. Straighten ends of fabric by tearing or pull­ that the right sides are together. ing a crosswise thread and cutting along this line. 2. Pin pattern by pinning first on the grainline 2. Press creases out of fabric. markings. These markings are usually a long arrow 3. Fold the fabric so that the selvages are like this. ) Keep ar­ parallel. If the crosswise threads are not in perfect rows straight with the threads of your fabric.