Youth research has shown that the social and psychological impacts of clothing and textiles are a prevailing undercurrent in many of the actions in the development of young people. The clothing and textiles program provides an opportunity for young people to practice a variety of life skills while learning the subject matter, including knowledge of fibers and fabrics, wardrobe selection, clothing construction, comparison shopping, fashion interpretation, understanding of style, good grooming, poise in front of others, and personal presentation skills. 4-H members also have the opportunity to learn about careers in the clothing and textile industry.
Clothing and Textiles Projects are conducted throughout the 4-H year, based on the availability of project leaders. Competitive events related to these projects are held in the spring and include Fashion Show, Fashion Storyboard, Trashion Show, Quilt Challenge, Clothing and Textiles Educational Presentations, Natural Fiber contest, and record book judging. A wide variety of community service activities are available to 4-H members interested in clothing and textiles.
Participant time commitments will vary based on individual interests and level of involvement. This includes attending project meetings, seeking individual learning experiences, preparing for contests, and participating in contests. If a 4-H member wishes to participate in more than one contest, more time would be needed.
4-H members and leaders have the opportunity to gain skills in the area of clothing and textiles. You do not have to sew to complete this project! 4-H members can select experiences to fit their needs, such as: buying ready-to-wear, wardrobe planning, clothing construction, care of your wardrobe, modeling, grooming, and much more. They can also choose to sew in addition to other experiences. To complete a clothing and textiles project the club member completes six hours of learning experiences with the assistance of club leaders and/ or parents. These experiences, workshops can be completed in a project group meetings or individual study. Experiences can range from tours, field trips, workshops, or research. Texas 4-H website offers more information about these project areas.
Check out the Texas 4-H website and the District 9 website for more information about contest guidelines and resources.
Check with your club manager to see if your club has a Clothing & Textiles project leader. Consult the calendar and 4-H social media for workshops and activities.
