Busy Bees

Each week the busy little 4-H bees progress with their projects.

Our little Explorer, Josie, has been working on a swim suit. 

She wanted to add a swim cap to her swimming suit.She even made the flower to embellish her swim cap.

 

Josie is quite the model!

And now to thread the machine to make a bag.

Ellie has been working on a three piece outfit. After finding the pattern and the right fabrics, she had to learn how to fit each piece.

Working with Swedish Tracing Paper, she stitched the vest pieces together and found she needed a few alterations to the pattern pieces before cutting the fabric. Before cutting the fabric, Ellie wants to embroider the princess lines.

Lena has a bit more to do on her dress. But first she has to press the princess lines and make sure all the thread tales are removed. 

 

Ivy wanted a very different design and chose to make her pattern using two pictures. Having made a spiral skirt in the past, she knew she wanted spirals for the lower half of her dress. She chose to make a simple lined bodice with sleeves. 

But how to put it all together? This was going to be a learning experience for this young 12 year old!

 Three sisters modeling the latest in hat fashions!

Ava has on her hat she received for Christmas while Shea and Claire model fleece cloches.

 And little Lowell is learning how to sew. First he had to learn how to thread a sewing machine and be able to do it blindfolded! After achieving that it was sewing straight lines!

Our youngest is Oliver, sometimes known as Simon. He entertains himself quite well, this week it was one of his Christmas presents teaching him how to engineer mechanical equipment. 

4-H Christmas

Several young entrepreneurs have been 

very busy little bees 

making items to sell 

at the annual Christmas sale 

throughout their town. 

They were busy sewing up cute little apron bonnets that convert from an apron to a bonnet 

and infinity scarves - 

all made from scraps of fabric 

and left over end pieces 

from some forgotten projects.

One young lady knitted several adorable 

hat and scarf combos for an 18" doll.

   

Others tried their skill in the kitchen baking delicious mouthwatering gingerbread cookies; 

 tossing muddy buddies (puppy chow) 

to eat by the handfuls;

cooking delicious jellies with 

all kinds of unusual flavors 

and making 

scrumptious hand made Herbal Creams

with different fragrances such as Lavender Mint, Lavender, Peppermint, Rose Peppermint, Rose, and Rose Lavender.

  

 They also had to figure out how much to sell their one-of-a-kind items to make a profit 

and set up a display appealing to the public.

This was a valuable lesson for these young entrepreneurs in salesmanship. 

They learned the joy of making 

a product that they were proud of, 

how to sell themselves to the public, 

the ups and downs of running a business, 

and making a profit.

You can still purchase some items for gift giving. 

Please leave a comment below and 

we will post the details on cost and delivery. 

Clothing and Textiles Workshop 2013

Each fall several 4-H teens and volunteer leaders gather to share projects and activities as well as participate in hands on workshops. The workshop is a two day event starting with early bird activities 

and then moves on to hands on workshops. 

There is also a 'style show' sharing items made by the participants that include  re-purposed clothing, accessories, and textiles of any medium.  

This is a learning experience and "idea exchange" to see what is happening in other counties in the clothing and textiles area.    

A Silent Auction is held in the evening to raise funds for the State Clothing and Textiles program. 

Donations for the auction are made by anyone who wants to donate useful items.  Suggested items include sewing and sewing related craft items.

This is a fun event and yours truly was the high bidder on more than a few items! Lucky me!

An on-going Fabric sale and Pattern exchange is open to everyone who has a surplus of stash. Many participants donate items and then they go home with their 'NEW' purchases! 
It is always fun to hunt thru the piles of fabrics and sort thru the sewing/craft books.

Classes this year include a variety open to every skill level. 

Workshop classes included: Quilting; Hobo Bags; Critter Softies;

Recyling T-Shirts into Yoga Pants, Skirts, and Bags; 

Knitting Scarves; Hot Dog Pillowcases; Quillows; Infinity Scarves; 

Needle/Jewelry Book; 

Felted Mittens;

Wall hangings; 

Easiest Zipper Applications; Yard Quilt; 

Amigurumi; and several more classes. 

Everyone learns something, even the instructors. Participants are not shy to share their unique notions.

One that I found very interesting was this 

Needle Pack. What a great find! 

Not to mention a lighted seam ripper! 

Hello! We all need one of these.

Pillowcase by Shea

Our youngest 4-Her, Shea, is learning how to sew. She is no stranger to sewing as she has three older sisters and two brothers who enjoy making new creations. They have all brought many smiles and laughs to our weekly sewing group.

Shea started out by learning to sew straight and curved lines. Her older sister, Paige, was instrumental in getting her started last year on her very own little sewing machine. And now Shea finished a colorful pillowcase that she can enjoy tonight and many nights ahead!