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 Curriculum
Sew Much Fun – Level A: Sew Simple
This activity guide is intended for use by youth in grades 3-4 who are participating in the 4-H Sewing project. Skills covered include basic sewing skills (e.g., preparing fabric for projects, stay stitching, binding, fitting pants, etc.) needed to construct simple items (e.g., pants, shorts, pillow sham, tote bag, apron, etc.).
Sew Much Fun – Level B: Sew Smart
This activity guide is intended for use by youth in grades 5-6 who are participating in the 4-H Sewing project. Skills covered include hemming options, construction techniques, and sewing for community service.
Sew Much Fun – Level C: Sew Fine
This activity guide is intended for use by youth in grades 7-9 who are participating in the 4-H Sewing project. Skills covered include hemming options, construction techniques, and sewing for community service.Sew Much Fun – Level D: And Sew On
This activity guide is intended for use by youth in grades 9 and above who are participating in the 4-H Sewing project. This project builds on skills and techniques learned in previous levels of sewing projects.
Sew Much Fun Helper’s Guide (Digital Download)
The Sew Much Fun Helper’s Guide supports facilitators assisting with the Sew Much Fun 4-H Sewing curriculum series. This guide provides tips on youth development and appropriate sewing skills to learn at each age throughout the project. The activity guides were written to be developmentally appropriate for specific grades, but they may be used by youths in any grade depending on their interest, skills, and experience. Each guide includes suggested reading, learning activities, skill tips, ideas for both wearable and non-wearable sewn items, and an achievement sheet. The learn-by-doing activities can be adapted to family, classroom, home school, club, and other educational settings.
Consumer Clothing: Intermediate
The Advanced Consumer Clothing project helps youth learn to make wise decisions when it comes to clothes, advertising, and their wardrobe. Projects include recognizing patterns and fabrics, planning outfits and an overall wardrobe, and learning when to repair or replace garments. This project is designed for youth ages 16 and older.
- Ohio 4-H Sewing Project Guides
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Explore current fashion and various embellishment (or decorating) techniques to design a one-of-a-kind top that reflects your personality. Choose a T-shirt, sweatshirt, button-down shirt, or a simple jacket and add at least two embellishment methods to show your style. Complete a neatness check, and learn how to make decorative stitches and sew on a button. This fun and easy project is practical too! Grades 3-12.
In this intermediate project, make at least one garment in an outfit assembled for active sportswear. Along the way, evaluate your buying habits, complete a plan for accessories, and evaluate your total look. Grades 6-12.
New product, coming soon! Want a flattering top that fits your personality? Make your own with this easy-to-follow project. Sew, crochet, or knit a top from a pattern you choose. Learn how to take your measurements accurately and add a few new sewing skills. Build an outfit around your new top and add accessories for a one-of-a-kind look! Grades 6-12.
Take this project to use your advanced-level skills to make a coat, jacket, or other outer garment. Evaluate patterns and fabric to match your skill level and to master new sewing skills. Learn about support fabrics for shaping undercollars, constructing collars and coat linings, and new tailoring methods. This edition is streamlined and new references are included. Grades 3-12.
Curious about quilting but don’t know where to start? Look no further! Just gather quilting tools, select and cut fabrics, stitch pieces together, and before you know it—you’re quilting! Choose from two patterns to make a mini quilt. Grades 3-12.
Embellish: A 4-H Guide to Wearable Art
This intermediate-level project is for members with some clothing experience who want the opportunity to complete a 4-H project by embellishing clothing. Numerous possibilities include appliqué, batik, beading, dyeing, embroidery, and many other techniques. Not a clothing construction book and not a how-to book, this is a general project guide that involves exploring embellishment ideas, identifying likely clothing items, learning a few techniques, and putting together a completed outfit. This project can be completed in lots of fun ways, all depending on what you want to learn. Interested members without clothing experience should start with 410 Designed by Me. Grades 6-12
This project is for 4-H members who have completed You Can Quilt! Now you can practice and refine your quilting skills by using the half-square triangle method on a built-in community service project and on your own lap quilt. Use some advanced tools and gadgets too! Grades 6-12.
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.
Helpful Resources
Activity Ideas
4-H Sewing Project Activity Guide – 4-H Canada & Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (PDF)
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.
Other Reference Material
From 4-H Programs
From Higher Education Institutions
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.
- Sewing Patterns
DIY Chapstick Holder Sewing Tutorial (YouTube video)
DIY Chapstick Holder Sewing Tutorial
This is the web version of the video tutorial above. This site also features other free patterns and tutorials.
Click on the “Enter Gallery” link for the walk-through. The “Next” button for future steps is in the left column under the thumbnail image of the next step.
Fabric Covered Notebooks and Journals
In this project, sewers create slip-on fabric book covers for their journals, notebooks, or other books.
Toothbrush and Toothpaste Travel Case
A cute terrycloth holder big enough for carrying toothbrushes and toothpaste while traveling.
Free Sewing Patterns from Sew Can She
Sewing tutorials with extensive photographs for easy follow-along.
A site for generating custom patterns based on the user’s body measurements.
Free Sewing Patterns from Sew Magazine
A large range of sewing tutorials for crafts and garments. Note that you will need to create a free account in order to download pattern PDFs and sewers will need to scale up patterns printed on regular paper. As this is a site from the United Kingdom, measurements are in centimeters and check printer settings, as UK printer paper is usually A4, not US Letter size and you may need to adjust this setting in the print menu.
- Kits, Projects, and Activities from National 4-H
National 4-H Hobbies Curriculum Collection
Quilting and Sewing Curriculum Collection
This 4-H Sewing Kit provides the perfect combination of convenience and innovation for novice sewers, including a travel bag in a sleek black color. The kit contains threads, needles, and more – everything needed to complete several sewing projects. Unleash your creativity with the 4-H Sewing Kit!
The 4-H 5 Ft. Retractable Measuring Tape is reliable and perfect for all of your sewing needs.