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4-H Clothing Project: Level I

This project booklet is designed for 4-H members who are beginners in the clothing project. A 4-H'er may enter Level 1 at any age, with the length of time spent at this level depending on an individual's progress. You may advance to Level II after completing Level I.

Objectives

  1. Learn to select sewing tools and fabrics.
  2. Learn proper use and care of sewing equipment.
  3. Develop simple skills in clothing construction.
  4. Improve your personal appearance.
  5. Learn to take care of your clothes and make simple repairs.
  6. Measure progress you have made in your clothing project.
  7. Share with others what you have learned.
  8. Keep a record of what you have done at this level.
  9. Use your skills to help someone else.

This booklet is designed for all young people interested in the excitement of the 4-H clothing project. Clothing is more than just sewing -- it includes grooming, wardrobe planning, shopping techniques, care, repairs, and construction.

Discuss your 4-H clothing project with an adult in your home, volunteer leader, teen leader, or someone else who could help you when needed. Let them see this booklet and discuss your clothing project with them. This is a way you can share the excitement and fun!

Things to learn

  1. How to thread a needle.
  2. How to make a knot in thread.
  3. How to use a thimble.
  4. Sewing on a button correctly.
  5. The parts of a sewing machine.
  6. Using the sewing machine.
  7. How to choose fabrics.
  8. How to straighten fabrics.
  9. Repairing a hem.
  10. Practicing good work habits.
  11. Making pillows.
  12. How to give demonstrations.

Things to make

    Select any two or more of the following:

  1. Simple pants (elastic waist)
  2. Simple poncho
  3. Cobbler's or Bar-B-Q apron
  4. Simple skirt, dress, or jumper
  5. Jogging shorts (elastic waist)
  6. Simple vest
  7. Tote bag or knapsack

Things to do

  1. Equip your sewing box.
  2. Care for your clothes.
  3. Show others what you have done.
  4. Keep records.

Activities

Many activities are included in this booklet to give you a variety of clothing experiences. You will notice that you will often use another booklet -- Extension Publication 1302, "4-H Clothing Project Reference Manual." Pattern guide sheets and other materials will also give you useful information. Have a parent, 4-H leader, or teen leader initial the boxes as you complete these activities.
  1. Equip Your Sewing Box. See Extension Publication 1302, "4-H Clothing Project Reference Manual" for more information.
    • List the items included in your sewing box:
      ________________________________________________________________________
      ________________________________________________________________________
      ________________________________________________________________________
      ________________________________________________________________________
    • What was the total cost of the items you bought to put in your sewing box?__________
    • Which of the items in the sewing box, if any, did you make?_________________________
    • Exhibit your sewing box.
    • Where did you exhibit your sewing box? ______________________________________________
  2. Learning good work habits as you begin your clothing project will save time and make your work seem easier. See Extension Publication 1302, "4-H Clothing Project Reference Manual."
    • List five good work habits you have learned:
      1.  
      2.  
      3.  
      4.  
      5.  
        6.
  3. Begin to sew now and see how easy it can be!
 
  1. Button, button, who's lost a button? Learn about different kinds of buttons. See Extension Publication 1302, "4-H Clothing Project Reference Manual."
    • Make a button display using a two-hole a four-hole a ball, and a shank button.
    • Where did you exhibit your button display? ____________________________________________________
    • Practice sewing a two-hole button onto a scrap of fabric. Attach here.
    • Go through your wardrobe; look for missing buttons and replace them.
    • How many buttons did you have to replace? __________________________________________________
  2. Get behind the wheel! Learn the main parts of the sewing machine and locate them on the sewing machine you will be using. See Extension Publication 1302, "4-H Clothing Project Reference Manual."
    • Write in the correct name of the parts of the sewing machine illustration above.
  3. The fabric you choose to sew a garment makes a big difference in how hard or easy it is to sew and how much you will enjoy wearing what you make. Study and learn about fabric grain and fabric buying tips.
  4. Make and exhibit a pillow.
    • Where did you exhibit your pillow?
  5. Write your measurements here after someone measures you.*
    Bust or chest
    Waist
    Hip
    Inseam Back waist length
    Pattern type needed
    Pattern size needed**
    * Note: Parent, volunteer, leader, or other adult should help you measure and adjust pattern to your measurements before you begin to cut the fabric. Other measurements are needed when making some patterns.
    ** For example: Girls, Boys, Young Jr., Teen Girl, Teen Boy.
  6. Select a simple pattern for your first sewing project.
    • Learn some tips for pressing before you begin. See Extension Publication 1302, "4-H Clothing Project Reference Manual."
    • Follow the pattern guidesheet and complete your garment. It helps to check each step on your guidesheet as you go.
    • Have you accurately followed each step of the guide sheet in completing your garment?
      Yes No
    • Did you press as you were sewing?
      Yes No

      Check Your Garment

    • Evaluate your finished garment on the chart below. Your garment may not have all of the details listed. If it did not, leave those parts of the chart blank.
        Very Good Good Fair
      Seams are straight and even


      Looks well pressed


      Facings are smooth and don't show from the outside


      Hem is even width


      Hand stitching doesn't show on the outside of the garment


      Fits well


    • Check your garment carefully and write down the things you like about it and the things you don't like. These can help you when you choose a pattern and fabric for the next garment you sew.

      Things I like
      ________________________________________________________________________

      Things I don't like
      ________________________________________________________________________

    • Figure how much it cost you to make your garment. Be sure to include everything you bought, including thread, material, pattern.
    • My garment cost $________________ Date completed________________
    • Write how much it would have cost you to buy a garment like the one you made. You may ask an adult in your family to take you to a store to look at prices of ready-made garments like the one you made. A readymade garment like mine would cost about $_____________
  7. Learn to model your garment correctly. See Extension Publication 1302, "4-H Clothing Project Reference Manual."
    • Practice what you have learned about modeling.
    • Model your garment for a group and then fill in the chart below:
      Place modeled ________________________________________________________________________

      Date ________________________________________________________________________


    		Satisfactory Needs Improvement
    Did you hold your head up?

    Did you look ahead and not down?

    Did you hold your chest high?

    Did you hold your tummy in?

    Did you keep your seat tucked under?

    Were your shoulders relaxed?

    Did your arms swing slightly?

    Did your legs swing from your hips, not from your knees?

    Did you bend your knees slightly?

    Did you point your toes straight ahead?

      Attach a photograph or sketch of you wearing what you made.

  8. Your clothes need proper care to make them look good and last as long as possible. You can assume some or perhaps all the responsibility of caring for your own clothes. Get permission from a parent or guardian to do this; they will probably be very proud of you for keeping your clothes looking nice! See Extension Publication 1302, "4-H Clothing Project Reference Manual."
    • Learn how to repair some hems. See Extension Publication 1302, "4-H Clothing Project Reference Manual."
    • Look through your wardrobe for hems you can repair.
    • How many did you repair?
    • List below other things that you have done to care for your clothes since you have been enrolled in the clothing project this year. Ask a parent or other adult at home to read your list and date and initial the list.

      Date_______________

      ________________________________________________________________________

      ________________________________________________________________________

      ________________________________________________________________________

  9. Giving a demonstration will let you show other people what you have learned. At a local club meeting, give a demonstration on something you have learned in your clothing project.

    I gave a demonstration to my club on
    ________________________________________________________________________

    Date
    ________________________________________________________________________

  10. Complete a clothing record sheet.

4-H Review

4-H Clothing Level I has been completed

Member's signature__________________________________________________ Date __________________

Leader's signature__________________________________________________ Date __________________

Name________________________________ Date started Level I _________________________

What do the four H's stand for?
H____________________________________ H____________________________________
H____________________________________ H____________________________________

Write the 4-H Pledge.

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

What is the 4-H Motto?
________________________________________________________________________

The name of my 4-H Club is
________________________________________________________________________

My 4-H volunteer leader is
________________________________________________________________________

My 4-H youth agent is
________________________________________________________________________

His/her office is located
________________________________________________________________________

His/her phone number is
________________________________________________________________________

Distributed by Beth Duncan, former Extension Clothing Specialist

Mississippi State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, or veteran status.

Publication 1299
Extension Service of Mississippi State University, cooperating with U.S. Department of Agriculture. Published in furtherance of Acts of Congress, May 8 and June 30, 1914. Ronald A. Brown, Director

Copyright by Mississippi State University. All rights reserved.

This document may be copied and distributed for nonprofit educational purposes provided that credit is given to the Mississippi State University Extension Service.
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