Have you ever seen an outfit and wanted it in a different color or style that wasn’t available in the store? Or have you tried on an outfit and needed it hemmed to fit just right? In Fabric and Fashion, you can learn basics like sewing a shirt or putting a zipper on a pair of pants. The advanced units will also teach you how to take the design of your choice and customize it for the perfect look, color and fit.

Beginner

• Recognize basic sewing machine parts and how to use them
• Identify fabrics and understand which to use for the type of project you are making
• Sew appropriate seams, straight stitching, and a simple machine hem
• Create a casing for elastic or a draw string
• Learn how to read and select a pattern
  

Intermediate

• Complete a person body analysis and learn to select patterns for your physical characteristics
• Learn how to examine fabrics for quality
• Refine your sewing techniques
• Select quality fabrics that are compatible with your chosen pattern
  

Advanced

• Recognize the importance of clothing and accessories as a way for individual expression
• Learn the role of costume design and how to manipulate items to fit your needs
• Create your own pattern
• Understand the difference between natural and synthetic fabrics
  

Applying Project Skills to Life

Enhance Your Communication Skills

• Create a video showing others how to sew a button or put in a hem
• Create a teaching display of simple sewing techniques that can be used to teach others to sew

Get Involved in Citizenship and Service

• Construct costumes for your community drama or 4-H talent show
• Start a clothing drive based on a need in your community
• Make a 4-H banner for parade floats
• Make weighted blankets/vest for children with autism

Learn about Leadership

• Plan a county 4-H style revue
• Organize a community pattern and material exchange

Showing What You’ve Learned

• Sew a garment
• Sew an accessory
• Embellish an article of clothing you already have to make it better
• A poster of the parts of a sewing machine
• A display of different types of fabrics and when they are used
• A display of basic sewing repairs done with a needle and thread
• Identify how different fibers from different countries get made into fabrics
• A poster on how to sort laundry
• A display of the results of experiments on the best stain remover for your family
• A display on how to read a pattern
• Create your own pattern
• A display of fabrics you have dyed
• A display of the history of fashion