All Beyond the Needle exhibits will be judged on Contest Day - July 16, 2026.
Awards:
Nate and Tara Behmer & Family, Hoskins - Champion Junior Beyond the Needle
O & A Saddle Branch Homestead, Hoskins – Reserve Champion Junior Beyond the Needle
Kinship Pointe, Wayne - Champion Senior Beyond the Needle
Tarrin Quinn, Winside – Reserve Champion Senior Beyond the Needle
Premiums:
Beyond the Needle and STEAM Clothing 1 and 2 Premiums: Purple $4.50, Blue $4.00, Red $3.50, White $3.00
STEAM Clothing 3 Premiums: Purple $8.00, Blue $7.00, Red $6.00, White $4.00
4-H members must show their own original creativity. Exhibits entered in this project must reflect a skill learned from this manual. See project manual skill-level list https://go.unl.edu/btnl
Classes:
+C-221-001 Design Portfolio (SF20) - 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 8.5 inches x 11 inches, three-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.
+C-221-002 Color Wheel (SF20) - 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 inches x 30 inches.
+C-221-003 Embellished Garment with Original Design (Eligible for Fashion Show) (SF26) - Create a garment using techniques as defined in the project manual. Designs are the original idea of the 4-H member using the elements and principles of design to make an original statement. Tie Dye should be entered in this class. A Design Data Card must be included with this project. The data card is available at https://go.unl.edu/ne4hclothing. If data card is not included, the exhibit will be lowered one ribbon placing.
+C-221-004 Original Designed Fabric Yardage (SF26) - 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 with this project. The data card is available at https://go.unl.edu/ne4hclothing. If data card is not included, the exhibit will be lowered one ribbon placing.
+C-221-005 Item (garment or non-clothing item) Constructed from Original Designed Fabric (only garments are eligible for Fashion Show) (SF26) - 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 with this project. The data card is available at https://go.unl.edu/ne4hclothing. If data card is not included, the exhibit will be lowered one ribbon placing.
+C-221-006 Textile Arts Garment or Accessory (garment eligible for Fashion Show) (SF26) - A garment or accessory constructed using new unconventional materials. Examples: rubber bands, plastic, duct tape. The data card is available at https://go.unl.edu/ne4hclothing. If data card is not included, the exhibit will be lowered one ribbon placing.
+C-221-007 Fashion Accessory (Not eligible for State Fair Fashion Show) (SF26) - An accessory designed and/or constructed using elements and principles of design; can be textile or non-textile based. Example: shoes, strung bracelet/necklace, wire wrapping, scarves, flip flops, design on tennis shoes, etc. A Design Data Card must be included with this project. The data card is available at https://go.unl.edu/ne4hclothing. If data card is not included, the exhibit will be lowered one ribbon placing.
+C-221-008 Wearable Technology Garment or Accessory (Garment is eligible for Fashion Show) (SF26) - Technology is integrated into the garment or accessory in some way (for example: LEDs, charging capabilities, sensors, etc.). A Design Data Card must be included with this project. The data card is available at https://go.unl.edu/ne4hclothing. If data card is not included, the exhibit will be lowered one ribbon placing.