Clothing and Textiles

Superintendents: Amy Johnson, Alisha Lautenschlager, Megan Hatt

Jr. Superintendents: Peyton Allan, Julianne Lautenschlager, Kendall Rennau

GENERAL INFORMATION: Garments as listed may be made for self (4-H member) or another person. 4-H’ers participating in clothing projects should continue their skill development. Once you have exhibited in a higher level, you are not eligible to exhibit in a lower level. Ex. Once you exhibit in STEAM Clothing 2, you are not eligible to exhibit in STEAM Clothing 1.

All static exhibits must receive a purple ribbon at the county fair to advance to the State Fair.

  • Fun Parade for clothing projects. See Fashion Show, Division 410, for more information.
  • Number of Entries: See each project/special exhibit for limits.
  • Judging Dates: Clothing entries are judged on: (1) Clothing Judging Day and (2) County Fair Judging Day. Judging day is listed with each exhibit project.
  • Pre-Entry: 4-H members who will participate in the Clothing Judging Day must pre-enter by 5 pm, Wednesday, June 24.  Pre-entry includes the registration form and narration. Garment(s) are NOT due on pre-entry day. Specific details will be included in the newsletter.
  • Identification Labels: Each item entered as a clothing, knitting or crochet exhibit must have a label attached stating: County, exhibitor’s name and age, project name and class in which garment is entered, and the number of years enrolled in the project exhibited. Garments with at least 60% wool content are eligible for the Make It with Wool Award. Wool entries must have the fiber content listed on the identification label. Attach a label, available at the Extension Office, on every component of the outfit using safety pins or by basting. Attach the label in an inconspicuous spot (inside garment, back neckline or waist). Not responsible for unlabeled items.
  • Judging Process: Entries on Clothing Judging Day will be judged using the interview process (4-H member visits with judge). The interview is optional; however, the exhibit must be judged on that day. Refer to the NE 4-H website for current scoresheets at 4h.unl.edu.
  • A Design Data Card must be included with all Beyond the Needle classes C221003-C221008 and STEAM 2 and 3 upcycled exhibits. The data card is available at https://go.unl.edu/ne4hclothing. If the data card is not included, the exhibit will be lowered one ribbon placing. The data card is only required for the classes listed above.

 

Preparation of Exhibit: Bring all wearable garments 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. Wool garments and garments with narrow straps hang better on other hangers, i.e. wooden or notched plastic hangers. As you look at the garment, place the hook of the hanger pointing to the left. Use safety pins to fasten skirts, shorts and pants to hangers. Each piece should be entered on a separate hanger. If more than one hanger is used for an entry, fasten hangers belonging to one exhibit together with twist ties or rubber bands. 

 

Entry Tags: As you look at the garment, place the entry tag securely using safety pins on the right side of the garment and the hook of the hanger to the left.

Special Clothing Exhibits

Premium: Purple $3.25; Blue $2.50; Red $1.75; White $1.25

General Information: The purpose is to let a 4-H’er machine sew an entry that does not fit the guidelines of the clothing construction project in which they are enrolled and/or have an additional entry in Clothing and Beyond the Needle. (i.e., a 4-H'er in Level I could make something from a knit or plaid fabric which is not allowed in STEAM Clothing I.) It is expected that the 4-H'er learn new sewing skills and that the entry be about the same difficulty as the project in which they are enrolled. The item might be a garment or accessory for self or another person or accessory for the home. Use a sewing machine or serger to complete the entry (except for Beyond the Needle).

 

Special Interest Sewing

# of Entries: Two per class

Judged: Clothing Judging Day        

Special Interest Sewing, Division 219 Classes 

(County Only) 

  • C219-001 - Special Interest - Clothing Project (STEAM Clothing 1, 2 or 3)
  • C219-002 - Special Interest - Beyond the Needle
  • C219-003 - Special Interest - Community Service Project

 

Summer Activities With 4-H Clothing

# of Entries: Two per class

Judged: Clothing Judging Day if modeling or County Fair Judging Day

Requirement: Garment made during Summer Activities with 4-H classes. Place garment on a swivel or wire hanger with hook facing left.

Summer Activities with 4-H Clothing, Division 234 Class 

  • C234-007 - Garment made during Summer Activities with 4-H classes

 

Accessory for the Home

# of Entries: Two per class

Judged: County Fair Judging Day

Accessory for the Home - Clothing, Division 234 Class

There are many different accessories that can be sewn for the home. Check the craft and home decorating sections of pattern catalogs for ideas. Look for patterns that will provide you with new sewing experiences to help you improve your sewing skills.

  • C234-010 - Accessory for the Home

 

Oops Project

# of Entries: One

Judged: Clothing Judging Day

General Information: This entry is for a project that doesn’t quite work out like the 4-H’er planned because of something that happened during the process of making the item - you ran out of material and can’t get more, made a mistake cutting, etc. A lot can be learned by finding a way to fix the problem(s). The entry needs to include a short narrative (no more than 1/2 page) which describes the problem encountered while making the item and a brief description of what the 4-H’er did to “fix” the item.

Oops Project - Clothing, Division 234 Class

  • C234-011 - Oops Project

STEAM Clothing 1: Fundamentals

# of Entries: Two per class

Premium: Purple $3.25; Blue; $2.50; Red $1.75; White $1.25

Judged: Clothing Judging Day

Requirement: Place garment on a swivel or wire hanger with hook facing left.

General Information: Exhibits will be simple articles requiring minimal skills. Follow suggested skills in project manual. 

4-H’ers who have enrolled in or completed STEAM Clothing 2 project are not eligible to exhibit in STEAM Clothing 1.

 

STEAM Clothing 1, Division 220 Classes

  • C220-101 – Clothing Portfolio – Complete at least three different samples/activities from the STEAM Clothing 1 project manual. The Portfolio should be placed in an 8 1/2 x 11”, 3 ring binder. Include an appropriate cover, dividers, and table of contents. (Additional pages can be added each year but should be dated.) See pages 9-10 for portfolio formatting.
  • C220-102 – Sewing Kit – Include a list of sewing notions and purpose for each included (pg. 12-17 in project manual).
  • C220-103 – Color Wheel – Create a color wheel following the activities in the project manual (pg. 18-22). Answer the questions on page 22.
  • C220-104 – Fabric Textile Scrapbook – Must include at least 5 different textile samples. Use Textile Information Cards template on page 41 in project manual to identify fabric swatches. See project manual for fabric suggestions.
  • C220-105 – What’s The Difference – 4-H members enrolled in STEAM Clothing 1 may enter an exhibit (not to exceed 22” x 30”) a notebook, poster, small display sharing a project comparison and price point. See project manual, “What’s the Difference?” page 118-119. Exhibits should include pictures, NO actual pillows.
  • C220-106 – Clothing Service Project – Can include but are not limited to pillows or pillowcases. Exhibit (not to exceed 22” x 30”) a notebook, poster, small display sharing information you generated in the project activity “Serving A Purpose” page 124-125.
  • C220-107 – Exhibit of Choice related to the STEAM Clothing 1 project manual.

 

Beginning Sewing Exhibits – Exhibits must be made from medium weight woven fabrics that will sew and press smoothly, flannel/fleece is acceptable. Solid color fabrics or those having an overall print are acceptable. NO PLAIDS, STRIPES, NAPPED or JERSEY KNIT. Patterns should be simple without darts, set-in sleeves, and collars. Raglan and kimono sleeves are acceptable.

  • C220-108 – Pincushion or Needlebook
  • C220-109 – Pillowcase
  • C220-110 – Simple Pillow – No larger than 18” x 18”
  • C220-111 – Bag/Purse – No zippers or buttonholes
  • C220-112 – Simple Top
  • C220-113 – Simple Bottom – pants, shorts, or skirt
  • C220-114 – Simple Dress
  • C220-115 – Other – Using skills learned in project manual (apron, vest, etc.)
  • C220-116 – Upcycled Simple Garment – The original used item must be redesigned (not just decorated) in some way to create a new wearable piece of clothing. A “before” picture and a description of the redesign process must accompany the entry, or it will be disqualified.
  • C220-117 – Upcycled Accessory – A wearable accessory made from a used item. The item used must be changed in some way in the “redesign” process. A “before” picture and a description of the redesign process must accompany the entry, or it will be disqualified.

General Clothing

# of entries: One per class

Premium: Purple $5; Blue $4.25; Red 3.75; White $3.25

Judged: Clothing Judging Day

General Information: 4-H members in STEAM Clothing 2 or 3 may exhibit in this area.

General Clothing, Division 220 Classes

  • *C220-001 – Clothing Portfolio – Complete at least four different samples/activities from Chapters 2, 3 or 4 of the STEAM Clothing 2 project manual. The Portfolio should be placed in an 8 1/2 x 11”, 3 ring binder. Include an appropriate cover. Portfolio should build upon itself each year (additional pages can be added each year but should be dated.) See pages 9-11 in STEAM Clothing 2 manual for portfolio formatting.
  • *C220-002 – Textile Science Scrapbook – Must include at least 10 different textile samples. Use Textile Information Cards template on page 39 in STEAM Clothing 2 project manual to identify fabric swatches. Completed textile cards should be placed in an 8 1/2 x 11”, 3 ring binder. Include an appropriate cover. Textile Science Scrapbook should build upon itself each year (additional pages can be added each year but should be dated). See the STEAM Clothing 2 project manual for fabric suggestions.
  • *C220-003 – 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” x 30”.

STEAM Clothing 2: Simply Sewing

# of entries: Two per class

Premium: Purple $3.75; Blue $3.25; Red $2.50; White $1.25

Judged: Clothing Judging Day

Requirement: Place garment on a swivel or wire hanger with hook facing left.

General Information: 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 below may be made from any woven or knit fabric appropriate to the garment’s design and should demonstrate sewing skills beyond STEAM Clothing 1. A list of skills is available at https://go.unl.edu/ne4hclothing.

 

A Design Data Card must be included with all Beyond the Needle classes C221003-C221008 and STEAM 2 and 3 upcycled exhibits. The data card is available at https://go.unl.edu/ne4hclothing. If the data card is not included, the exhibit will be lowered one ribbon placing.

 

STEAM Clothing 2, Division 222 Classes

  • *C222-001 – Design Basics, Understanding Design Principles – 4-H members may enter 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” x 30”.
  • *C222-002 – Pressing Matters – 4-H members may enter a ham, seam or sleeve roll from pages 21-25, “A Pressing Matter” in the STEAM Clothing 2 project manual. Exhibit should include answers to lesson questions that are most appropriate to include.
  • *C222-003 – 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 must be included with this project including a “before” picture no larger than 4.25” x 5.5” (see above). A list of skills and the Design Data Card are available at https://go.unl.edu/ne4hclothing.
  • *C222-004 – Upcycled Clothing Accessory – A wearable 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 item must reflect at least one skill learned in this project. *A Design Data Card must be included with this project including a “before” picture no larger than 4.25” x 5.5” (see above). A list of skills by project and the Design Data Card are available at https://go.unl.edu/ne4hclothing.
  • *C222-005 – Textile Clothing Accessory – Textile accessory is constructed using at least one skill learned in this project from materials appropriate for STEAM 2. A list of skills by project is available at https://go.unl.edu/ne4hclothing. 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.)
  • *C222-006 – Top (vest acceptable)
  • *C222-007 – Bottom (pants or shorts)
  • *C222-008 – Skirt
  • *C222-009 – Lined or Unlined Jacket
  • *C222-010 – Dress (not formal wear)
  • *C222-011 – Romper or Jumpsuit
  • *C222-012 – Two-Piece Outfit
  • *C222-013 – 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.
  • *C222-014 – Garment Constructed from Sustainable or Unconventional (natural or synthetic) Fibers – Fabric/Fibers used in this garment must 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.

STEAM Clothing 3: A Stitch Further

# of entries: Two per class

Premium: Purple $5; Blue $4.25; Red 3.75; White $3.25

Judged: Clothing Judging Day

Requirement: Place garment on hanger with hook facing left.

General Information: 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. A list of skills is available at https://go.unl.edu/ne4hclothing.

 

A Design Data Card must be included with all Beyond the Needle classes C221003-C221008 and STEAM 2 and 3 upcycled exhibits. The data card is available at https://go.unl.edu/ne4hclothing. If the data card is not included, the exhibit will be lowered one ribbon placing.

 

STEAM Clothing 3, Division 223 Classes

  • *C223-001 – 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 must be included with this project including a “before” picture no larger than 4.25” x 5.5” (see above). A list of skills and the Design Data Card are available at https://go.unl.edu/ne4hclothing.
  • *C223-002 – Upcycled Clothing Accessory – A 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 Design Data Card must be included with this project including a “before” picture no larger than 4.25” x 5.5” (see above). A list of skills by project and the Design Data Card are available at https://go.unl.edu/ne4hclothing.
  • *C223-003 – Textile Clothing Accessory – Textile accessory is constructed using at least one skill learned in this project from materials appropriate for STEAM 3. A list of skills by project is available at https://go.unl.edu/ne4hclothing. 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.)
  • *C223-004 – Dress or Formal
  • *C223-005 – Skirted Combination (skirt with shirt, vest or jacket or jumper and shirt)
  • *C223-006 – Pants or Shorts Combination (pants or shorts with shirt, vest or jacket)
  • *C223-007 – Romper or Jumpsuit
  • *C223-008 – Specialty Wear (includes: swim wear, costumes, hunting gear or chaps)
  • *C223-009 – Lined or Unlined Jacket (non-tailored)
  • *C223-010 – Coat, Blazer, Suit Jacket or Outerwear – A tailored blazer, 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.
  • *C223-011 – 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.
  • *C223-012 – 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.

STEAM Clothing: Beyond the Needle

# of entries: Two per class

Premium: Purple $3.75; Blue $3.25; Red $2.50; White $1.25

Judged: Clothing Judging Day

General Info: 4-H’er must show their own original creativity.

 

A Design Data Card must be included with all Beyond the Needle classes C221003-C221008 and STEAM 2 and 3 upcycled exhibits. The data card is available at https://go.unl.edu/ne4hclothing. If the data card is not included, the exhibit will be lowered one ribbon placing.

 

Beyond the Needle, Division 221 Classes

  • *C221-001 - Design Portfolio - A portfolio consisting of at least three design samples or activities. Refer to the Beyond the Needle project manual for activity ideas. The Portfolio should be placed in an 8 1/2” x 11”, 3 ring binder. Include an appropriate cover. (Additional pages can be added each year but should be dated.) See pages 14-16 in the Beyond the Needle project manual for portfolio formatting.
  • *C221-002 - Color Wheel - Create your own color wheel, complimentary color bar or color scheme using pages 27-39 in the Beyond the Needle project manual. The Exhibit may be a notebook, poster, or small display. Exhibits should not exceed 22” x 30”. 
  • *C221-003 - Embellished Garment with Original Design - Create a garment using techniques as defined in the project manual. Designs are the original idea of the 4-H’er using the elements and principles of design to make an original statement. *A Design Data Card must be included (see above). The data card is available at https://go.unl.edu/ne4hclothing.
  • *C221-004 - Original Designed Fabric Yardage - Fabric yardage is 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. *A Design Data Card must be included (see above). The data card is available at https://go.unl.edu/ne4hclothing.
  • *C221-005 - 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. *A Design Data Card must be included (see above). The data card is available at https://go.unl.edu/ne4hclothing.
  • *C221-006 – Textile Arts Garment or Accessory – A garment or accessory constructed using new unconventional materials. Examples: rubber bands, plastic, duct tape. *A Design Data Card must be included (see above). The data card is available at https://go.unl.edu/ne4hclothing.
  • *C221-007 – Fashion Accessory – An accessory designed and/or constructed using elements and principles of design; can be textile or non-textile based. Examples: shoes, strung bracelet/necklace, wire wrapping, scarves, flip flops, design on tennis shoes, etc. *A Design Data Card must be included (see above). The data card is available at https://go.unl.edu/ne4hclothing.
  • *C221-008 – Wearable Technology Garment or Accessory – Technology is integrated into the garment or accessory in some way. Examples: LEDs, charging capabilities, sensors, etc. *A Design Data Card must be included (see above). The data card is available at https://go.unl.edu/ne4hclothing.
  • C221-010 – Garment or Garment & Accessory (any method) (Hall County only)

 

An asterisk* in front of a division/class number indicates the class is State Fair eligible.

2026 Hall County 4-H Fair Book