The 4-H Clothing project provides an opportunity for youth to practice a variety of life skills, while learning about sewing, clothing, and textiles subject matter.
Sewing projects teach kids the skills needed to create a variety of items, from clothing, to bags, to pillowcases. Learn about fabric selection, sewing techniques, proper clothing care, and more!
Objectives
Youth will:
- Apply personal creativity and learn basic sewing skills
- Practice good personal grooming skills
- Learn about fabrics, textile science, and technology
- Select appropriate color, line, and design
- Apply wise shopping practices
- Select appropriate care for personal clothing
- Learn about the cultural influences of clothing
4-H Sewing & Garment Construction Curriculum
Available from the Extension office or online.
Sewing Expressions Level 1 – Under Construction
Youth will learn more about fashion and their unique style as well as technology in sewing and careers in the textile industry.
Sewing Expressions Level 2 – Fashion Forward
Fashion Forward (Level 2) will help youth develop their fashion sense and the skills needed to create a unique style of their own.
Sewing Expressions Level 3 – Refine Design
Refine Design (Level 3) will help youth learn more about fashion and their unique style as well as technology in sewing and careers in the textile industry.
Sewing Expressions Helper’s Guide
This book is the Helper’s Guide of the 4-H Sewing Curriculum. This curriculum set, written by university experts, include activities for young people to develop and share their creative abilities in the sewing and textiles area.
The activity books include sections on creating (gaining experience in sewing), maintaining (caring for textile items), teching (technology applications in the apparel and textile industry), futuring (a sampling of potential careers), and serving (using their knowledge and skills to help others).
In this series, youth learn how to construct garments while also learning textile science, beginning math and engineering techniques, and investigating careers and service projects in the garment industry.
STEAM Clothing 1: FUNdamentals
In STEAM Clothing 1: FUNdamentals, youth will gather the tools they’ll need to begin sewing, understand textiles through fun science experiments, learn beginning math and engineering techniques in clothing construction, and take their skills a step further, investigating businesses, service learning projects, and modeling.
STEAM Clothing 2: Simply Sewing
In STEAM Clothing 2: Simply Sewing, youth will prepare for more advanced sewing techniques and projects, conduct more advanced textile science experiments, focus on advanced engineering techniques, add finishing touches and style to garments, and market and calculate prices of products.
STEAM Clothing 3: A Stitch Further
In STEAM Clothing 3: A Stitch Further, youth will learn the advanced, couture techniques used by designers to create unique garments. Youth will take the science of textiles a step further, and learn to sew garments with challenging patterns and fabrics, couture sewing techniques, and how to sell your professional-looking garments and accessories.
In Maker’s Guide to Sewing Stuff, youth will use the skills learned in STEAM Clothing 1 & 2 to make stuff! Youth will create items to use and wear while they practice their beginning sewing skills. Activities in this manual are for beginning and intermediate sewers looking to improve their skills before progressing into using patterns to make garments.
STEAM Clothing Activity Manual: Beyond the Needle
In Beyond the Needle, youth will learn all about the ‘A’ in STEAM Clothing — the Art! This youth manual includes activities for three skill levels: beginner, intermediate, and advanced. Youth will learn the design basics and create a portfolio to exhibit samples made to practice specific techniques. Then, youth will be able to create their own fabulous embellishments and treatments on garments. If you love art, then this STEAM Clothing manual is for you!
4-H Wearable Technology curriculum series in which youth solve real world problems and practice the engineering design process while immersed in the innovative area of wearable technologies. This curriculum teaches engineering design, computer programming, basic circuitry, and sewing.
Each youth will need their own Design Notebooks for each level.
WearTec Book 1: Circuitry – Leader’s Guide
WearTec Book 1: Circuitry – Design Notebook
This is Level 1 of the Wearable Technology curriculum series, in which youth solve real world problems and practice the engineering design process while immersed in the innovative area of wearable technologies. This curriculum teaches engineering design, computer programming, basic circuitry, and sewing. In Level 1, youth learn the foundations of circuitry through 4 projects.
WearTec Book 2: Sewing – Leader’s Guide
WearTec Book 2: Sewing – Design Notebook
This is Level 2 of the Wearable Technology curriculum series, in which youth solve real world problems and practice the engineering design process while immersed in the innovative area of wearable technologies. This curriculum teaches engineering design, computer programming, basic circuitry, and sewing. In Level 2, youth learn how to sew and create projects using microcontrollers.
WearTec Book 3: Programming – Leader’s Guide
WearTec Book 3: Programming – Design Notebook
This is Level 3 of the Wearable Technology curriculum series, in which youth solve real world problems and practice the engineering design process while immersed in the innovative area of wearable technologies. This curriculum teaches engineering design, computer programming, basic circuitry, and sewing. In Level 3, youth learn basic programming and coding skills and then apply these skills using various platforms, such as Arduino.
WearTec Book 4: Design – Leader’s Guide
WearTec Book 4: Design – Design Notebook
This is Level 4 of the Wearable Technology curriculum series, in which youth solve real world problems and practice the engineering design process while immersed in the innovative area of wearable technologies. This curriculum teaches engineering design, computer programming, basic circuitry, and sewing. In Level 4, youth practice each step of the engineering design process: Research, Develop a Solution, Test & Evaluate, and Communicate. Level 4 includes 4 Design Challenges involving light and temperature.Indiana 4-H Sewing CurriculumOhio 4-H Sewing Project Guides
Washington 4-H Records, Forms, and Guides
For youth members
C0677E – Sewing Skills Checklist
This publication is designed for 4-H’ers enrolled in the Clothing Program. Its purpose is to help you plan sewing activities to constantly stretch your sewing abilities.
EM4339E – Fashion Modeling Your 4-H Garment
Simply wearing clothes is modeling. You are always on display, whether you are on the street, in your home, at school, on the job, at play, traveling, or at parties.
EM4224E – Suggestions for Writing 4-H Style Revue Commentary (PDF)
The 4-H Fashion Revue commentary presents the 4-H’er and his or her project to the audience. The commentary should introduce the 4-H’er, describe special garment features for the audience to notice, and may highlight additional personal information about the 4-H’er and the project.
PNW197 – Measuring Up: Quality Standards in Sewn Items
The purpose of this publication is to list and describe specific characteristics that can be expected in high-quality construction of either home-sewn or ready-to-wear garments or other sewn items.
C0675E – Clothing Construction Record
Used to record types of garments made.
For adult helpers and club leaders
EM4789E – Teaching 4-H Oral Reasons
Teaches leaders how to help 4-H members give oral reasons for judging items and exhibits.
EM4870E – Sew Quick! Leader Guide
This is a 4-H clothing leader’s guide. It contains tips and techniques for sewing, and quick projects.
Es una publicación que muestra varios proyectos rápidos que han sido utilizados con éxito en ambientes 4-H en el Estado de Washington.
State 4-H Needle Arts Project Resources
Helpful Resources
Activity Ideas
4-H Sewing Project Activity Guide – 4-H Canada & Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Jean Jems: Simple Sewing Projects – Arizona Cooperative Extension (PDF)
Washington Specific Reference Material
If you’re interested in clothing, you’ll want to know about the central role interfacings play in making a garment appear professional.
From Related Organizations, Journals, and Professionals
4-H and Joann Fabric & Craft Stores
4-H and JOANN Fabric & Craft Stores are partnering to ensure every kid has an equal opportunity to succeed. Through in-store donations, custom 4-H products and digital experiences, JOANN customers and 4-H supporters are helping to empower the next generation of makers to lead lives with their hearts, hands and minds.
Stain Removal Guide from the American Cleaning InstituteSewing Patterns
