Each item entered as a clothing, knitting or crochet exhibit must have a label attached stating: County you enrolled in for 4-H, Exhibitor's name and age, project name and class in which garment is entered, and the number of years enrolled in the project exhibited. Wool entries must have the fiber content listed on the identification label. Attach a label on every component of the outfit using safety pins or by basting. Garments as listed may be made for self or another person.

Bring wearable exhibits on wire hangers or hangers with a swivel hook ONLY. All exhibits not suitable for hanging should be entered in a self-sealing plastic bag hung on a hanger. For wool garments and garments with narrow straps, wooden or notched plastic hangers with swivel hooks are acceptable.

A Design Data Card must be included with Beyond the Needle Classes C221003-C221008 and STEAM 2 and 3 upcycled exhibits. If the data card is not included, the exhibit will be lowered one ribbon placing. Scoresheets, forms, a list of skills by project, and additional resources can be found at https://go.unl.edu/ne4hclothing.

Division 210: STEAM Clothing 1*

4-H’ers who have enrolled in or completed Clothing Level 2 or more advanced sewing projects are not eligible for this project. Exhibits are to be simple articles requiring minimal skills, made from medium weight woven fabrics that will sew and press smoothly. Flannel or fleece are also acceptable. Solid color or overall print fabrics are acceptable. No plaids, stripes, napped or jersey knit fabrics accepted. Raglan and kimono sleeves are acceptable. Choose simple patterns without darts, set-in sleeves or collars.

*C210001 - Clothing Portfolio of at least three different samples/activities from Chapter 2 or 3 of the manual, in an 8½“x11” 3-ring binder. Include an appropriate cover, dividers and table of contents. (Additional pages may be added each year but should be dated.) See pages 9-10 in the STEAM Clothing 1 manual for portfolio formatting.

*C210002 - Sewing Kit include a list of sewing notions and purpose for each item included.

*C210003 - Fabric Textile Scrapbook include at least five different textile samples. Use Textile Information Card template on page 41 in manual to identify fabric swatches. Completed cards should be placed in an 8½“x11” 3-ring binder. Include an appropriate cover. See manual for fabric suggestions.

*C210004 - What’s the Difference a notebook or poster sharing a product comparison and price point. Include pictures, not actual items. Refer to pages 118-121 in the manual.

*C210005 - Pincushion any pattern

*C210006 - Pillowcase any pattern

*C210007 - Simple Pillow no larger than 18”x18”

*C210008 - Bag/Purse without zippers or buttonholes

*C210009 - Simple Top

*C210010 - Simple Bottom

*C210011 - Simple Dress

*C210012 - Simple Upcycled Garment create a garment from used textile-based items. The original used item must be redesigned (not just decorated) in some way to create a new wearable piece of clothing.  The finished garment must reflect at least one skill learned in this project. A “before” picture and a description of the redesign process must accompany the entry.

*C210013 - Simple Upcycled Accessory wearable accessory made from a used item.  The item used must be changed in some way in the redesign process.  The finished accessory must reflect at least one skill learned in this project. A “before” picture and a description of the redesign process must accompany the entry.

*C210015 – Other Garment or Accessory made using skills learned in STEAM Clothing 1.

Division 220: General Clothing

4-H members in all skill levels may exhibit in this area.

C220001 – Clothing Portfolio complete at least four different samples/activities from Chapters 2, 3 or 4 of the project manual. The portfolio should be an 8 ½”x11”, 3-ring binder, include an appropriate cover, and should build upon itself each year (additional pages can be added each year but should be dated). See pages 9-11 in STEAM 2 manual for portfolio formatting.

C220002 – Textile Science Scrapbook must include at least 10 different textile samples. Use textile information cards template on page 39 in STEAM 2 manual to identify fabric swatches. Completed textile cards should be in an 8 ½”x11”, 3-ring binder with appropriate cover and should build upon itself each year (additional pages can be added each year but should be dated).

C220003 – Sewing For Profit Using pages 161-167 in the STEAM 2 manual, display what products you posted online and analyze the cost of goods purchased to determine the appropriate selling price for your product. The exhibit may be a notebook, poster or small display. Exhibits should not exceed 22”x30”.

Division 221: Beyond the Needle

4-H members in all skill levels may exhibit in this area. Members must show their own original creativity.

*C221011 - Beginning Embellished Garment created using beginning techniques as defined in the manual. Designs are the original idea of the 4-H’er using the elements and principals of design to make an original statement.

*C221012 - Beginning Textile Clothing Accessory constructed and/or decorated using techniques as defined in the project manual. Examples include hats, bags, scarves, gloves, aprons, etc.

*C221013- Upcycled Garment create a garment from used textile-based items. The original used item must be decorated and may be redesigned in some way to create a new wearable piece of clothing.  The finished garment must reflect at least one skill learned in this project. A “before” picture and a description of the design process must accompany the entry.

*C221015 – Other Garment or Accessory made using skills learned in Beyond the Needle.

C221001 - Design Portfolio of at least three design samples or activities from the project manual. The portfolio should be placed in an 8½”x11” 3-ring binder. Include an appropriate cover. (Additional pages can be added each year but should be dated.) See pages 14-16 of manual for portfolio formatting.

C221002 - Color Wheel create your own color wheel, complimentary color bar or color scheme using pages 27-39 in the project manual. Exhibit may be a notebook, poster, or small display but may not exceed 22”x30”. 

C221003 - Embellished Garment with Original Design create a garment using techniques as defined in project manual. Designs are the original idea of the 4-H’er using the elements and principles of design to make an original statement.  Garment is eligible for State Fair Fashion Show. Clothing Design Data Card required.

C221004 - Original Designed Fabric Yardage designed using techniques such as those found in the manual. Other embellishments may be added. Exhibit consists of at least one yard of finished fabric. Garment is eligible for State Fair Fashion Show. Clothing Design Data Card required.

C221005 - Item (garment or non-clothing item) Constructed from Original Designed Fabric fabric yardage is designed first, then an item is constructed from that fabric. Other embellishments may be added. Garment is eligible for State Fair Fashion Show. Clothing Design Data Card required.

C221006 - Textile Arts Garment or Accessory constructed using new unconventional materials (examples: rubber bands, plastic, duct tape). Garment is eligible for State Fair Fashion Show. Clothing Design Data Card required.

C221007 - Fashion Accessory designed and/or constructed using elements and principles of design; can be textile or non-textile based. Example: shoes, wire wrapping, strung bracelet/necklace, scarves, flip-flops, design on tennis shoes, etc. Clothing Design Data Card required. Not eligible for State Fair Fashion Show.

C221008 - Wearable Technology Garment or Accessory -Technology is integrated into the garment in some way (For example: LEDs, charging capabilities, sensors, and etc.) Clothing Design Data Card required. Garments are eligible for State Fair Fashion Show.

Division 222: STEAM Clothing 2 – Simply Sewing

Exhibits entered in this project must reflect at least one new skill learned from this manual. (See project manual skill list.) Garments may be made from any woven or knit fabric appropriate to the garment’s design and should demonstrate sewing skills beyond STEAM Clothing 1.

C222001 - Design Basics, Understanding Design Principles an exhibit sharing a learning experience from pages 17-20 in the project manual. Include answers to questions found on page 20 of the manual. The exhibit may be a notebook, poster, or small display. Exhibits should not exceed 22”x30”.

C222002 - Pressing Matters 4-H Members enrolled in STEAM Clothing 2 may enter a ham or sleeve roll from pages 21-25 “A Pressing Matter” in the project manual. Exhibit should include answers to lesson questions that are most appropriate to include.

C222003 - Upcycled Garment- Create a garment from used textile-based items. The original used item must be redesigned using skills learned in STEAM Clothing 2 (not just decorated) in some way to create a new wearable piece of clothing. The finished garment must reflect at least one skill learned in this project. A Design Data Card including “before” picture no larger than 4.25” x 5.5”must accompany the entry. Eligible for State Fair Fashion Show.

C222004 - Upcycled Clothing Accessory made from a used item. The original used item must be redesigned using skills learned in STEAM Clothing 2 (not just decorated) in some way to create a new wearable accessory. The finished accessory must reflect at least one skill learned in this project. A Design Data Card including “before” picture no larger than 4.25” x 5.5”must accompany the entry. Not eligible for State Fair Fashion Show.

C222005 - Textile Clothing Accessory is constructed using at least one skill learned in this project from materials appropriate for STEAM 2. Entry examples include: hats, bags, scarves, gloves. No metal, plastic, paper or rubber base items allowed (i.e. barrettes, headbands, flip flops, duct tape, etc.) Not eligible for State Fair Fashion Show.

C222006 - Top (vest acceptable)

C222007 - Bottom (pants or shorts)

C222008 - Skirt

C222009 - Lined or Unlined Jacket

C222010 - Dress (not formal wear). Eligible for State Fair Fashion Show.

C222011 - Romper or Jumpsuit. Eligible for State Fair Fashion Show.

C222012 - Two-Piece Outfit. Eligible for State Fair Fashion Show.

C222013 - Alter Your Pattern Garment constructed from a significantly altered pattern. Entry must include both the constructed garment and the altered pattern. Include information sheet that describes 1) how the pattern was altered or changed, 2) why the changes were needed/wanted. Appropriate skills for altering/designing a pattern in STEAM 2 include: moving darts, merging two patterns together, altering a pattern for a woven or knit material, adding a lining. Eligible for State Fair Fashion Show in the class that best describes the type of garment constructed (i.e., Dress, Romper or Jumpsuit, or Two-piece Outfit).

C222014 - Garment Constructed from Sustainable or Unconventional [natural or synthetic] fibers Fabric/Fibers used in this garment have to be manufactured/purchased, for example: bamboo, banana, corn husk, and recycled fibers. Garments that are constructed out of the unconventional items themselves should be exhibited under Beyond the Needle. Eligible for State Fair Fashion Show in the class that best describes the type of garment constructed (i.e., Dress, Romper or Jumpsuit, or Two-piece Outfit).

*C222015 – Other Garment or Accessory made using skills learned in STEAM Clothing 2.

Division 223: STEAM Clothing 3 – A Stitch Further

Exhibits entered in this project must reflect at least one new skill learned from this manual. (See project manual skill-level list.) Garments as listed may be made from any pattern or any fabric and should demonstrate sewing skills beyond STEAM Clothing 2. Entry consists of complete constructed garments only. Wool entries must have the fiber content listed on the identification label.

C223001 - Upcycled Garment Create a garment from used textile-based items. The original used item must be redesigned (not just decorated) in some way to create a new wearable piece of clothing. The finished garment must reflect at least one skill learned in this project. A Design Data Card including “before” picture no larger than 4.25” x 5.5”must accompany the entry. Eligible for State Fair Fashion Show.

C223002 - Upcycled Clothing Accessory made from a used item. The item used must be changed in some way in the redesign process. The finished accessory must reflect at least one skill learned in this project. A Design Data Card including “before” picture no larger than 4.25” x 5.5”must accompany the entry. Not eligible for State Fair Fashion Show.

C223003 - Textile Clothing Accessory is constructed using at least one skill learned in this project from materials appropriate for STEAM 3. Entry examples include hats, bags, scarves, gloves. No metal, plastic, paper or rubber base items allowed (i.e., barrettes, headbands, flip flops, duct tape, etc.) Not eligible for State Fair Fashion Show.

C223004 - Dress or Formal Eligible for State Fair Fashion Show.

C223005 - Skirted Combination (skirt with shirt, vest or jacket OR jumper and shirt) Eligible for State Fair Fashion Show.

C223006 - Pants or Shorts Combination (pants or shorts with shirt, vest or jacket) Eligible for State Fair Fashion Show.

C223007 - Romper or Jumpsuit Eligible for State Fair Fashion Show.

C223008 - Specialty Wear (swim wear, costumes, hunting gear, or chaps) Eligible for State Fair Fashion Show.

C223009 - Lined or Unlined Jacket (non-tailored) Eligible for State Fair Fashion Show.

C223010 - Coat, Blazer, Suit Jacket or Outerwear A tailored blazer or suit jacket or coat. Wool entries must have the fiber content listed on the identification label to be considered for the Make It with Wool Award. Eligible for State Fair Fashion Show.

C223011 - Alter/Design Your Pattern Garment constructed from a significantly altered pattern. Entry must include both the constructed garment and the altered pattern. Include information sheet that describes 1) how the pattern was altered or changed, 2) why the changes were needed/wanted. Appropriate skills for altering/designing a pattern in STEAM 3 include: moving darts, adding a zipper, merging two patterns together, altering a pattern for a woven or knit material, adding a lining, designing your own pattern. Eligible for State Fair Fashion Show in the class that best describes the type of garment constructed (i.e., Dress, Romper or Jumpsuit, or Two- piece Outfit).

C223012 - Garment Constructed from Sustainable or Unconventional [natural or synthetic] fibers Fabric/Fibers used in this garment have to be manufactured/purchased, for example: bamboo, banana, corn husk, and recycled fibers. Garments that are constructed out of the unconventional items themselves should be exhibited under Beyond the Needle. Eligible for State Fair Fashion Show in the class that best describes the type of garment constructed (i.e., Dress, Romper or Jumpsuit, or Two-piece Outfit).

*C223015 – Other Garment or Accessory made using skills learned in STEAM Clothing 3.

Division 225: Knitting

Each knitted exhibit must include the following information on the fiber arts data card or exhibit will be lowered one ribbon placing: 1) Why did you choose to create this exhibit? 2) What steps did you take as you created your exhibit? 3) What were the most important things you learned? 4) Gauge-Number of rows per inch; number of stitches per inch. 5) Size of needles, finger knitted, arm knitted, loom or machine knitted 6) Kind of yarn – weight and fiber content. 7) Names of stitches used.

*C225010 - Beginning Level Knitted Clothing or Home Design and Restoration Item. Enter up to two.

C225001- Level 2 Knitted Clothing made using pattern stitches such as diamond, block, twist or seed/moss stitches. Basic stitches [including Knit (K), Purl (P), Slip Knit Pass Over (SKPO), Knit Two Together (K2tog), Yarn Over (yo)] to form pattern. Garment eligible for State Fair Fashion Show.

C225002- Level 2 Knitted Home Design and Restoration Item – Knitted Item using basic stitches including Knit (K), Purl (P), Slip Knit Pass Over (SKPO), Knit Two Together (K2tog), Yarn Over (yo) to form pattern.

C225003-Arm or Finger Knitted Item-Clothing or Home Environment Item.

C225004- Loom Knitted Item-Clothing or Home Design and Restoration Item.

C225005 - Level 3 Knitted Clothing- made using advanced knitting stitches such as pass slip stitch over, double-pointed needle knitting, cable, Turkish, tamerna, plait, germaine, feather and fan or knitting with one or more patterns such as Aran or Fair Isle. Made by using stitches learned in Level 2 while advancing to circular knitting, double pointed needle knitting, knitting with multiple pattern stitches, and changing colors throughout the garment such as argyle knitting and chart knitting. Garment eligible for State Fair Fashion Show.

C225006- Level 3 Knitted Home Design and Restoration Item-Knitted item made by using stitches learned in Level 2 while advancing to circular knitting, double pointed needle knitting, knitting with multiple pattern stitches, and changing colors throughout the garment such as argyle knitting and chart knitting.

C225007-Level 3 Machine Knitting

Division 226: Crochet

Each crocheted exhibit must include the following information on the fiber arts data card or exhibit will be lowered one ribbon placing: 1) Why did you choose to create this exhibit? 2) What steps did you take as you created the exhibit? 3) What were the most important things you learned? 4) Gauge and size of hook or type of crocheting tool. 5) Kind of yarn – weight and fiber content or other material used. 6) Names of stitches used.

*C226010–Beginning Level Crocheted Clothing or Home Design and Restoration Item

C226001-Level 2 Crocheted Clothing- Crochet garment using basic stitches [including: chain, single, double, half-double, treble] to form patterns. Garment eligible for State Fair Fashion Show.

Class 226002-Level 2 Crocheted Home Design and Restoration Item- Crochet item using basic stitches [including: chain, single, double, half-double, treble] to form patterns.

Class 226003-Level 3 Crocheted Clothing-Crochet garment using stitches learned in Level 2 while advancing to use afghan stitch, broomstick lace, hairpin lace, design motifs, and multiple pattern stitches. Garment eligible for State Fair Fashion Show.

Class 226004-Level 3 Crocheted Home Design and Restoration Item-Crochet item using stitches learned in Level 2 while advancing to use afghan stitch, broomstick lace, hairpin lace, design motifs, and multiple pattern stitches.

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