EATON — The 4-H Style Review gives participants an opportunity to model and show off the clothing projects they worked so hard on throughout the year.
While modeling the clothing is not required, most of the kids choose to do so. There are many different categories for the kids to be judged on and then the winners are judged against one another for Grand Champion.
The show was held on Thursday, Aug. 3, in the Toney Building.
Susan Niehaus has been volunteering to help run the 4-H Style Review. She is with the Spic N Span Pots N Pans 4-H club and is their adult volunteer for sewing. This year the club has 12 who sewed, four of whom got to go to the Ohio State Fair. During the Style Review, Niehaus helps the kids get ready, makes sure they’re in line, and helps the Junior Fair Board members to make their jobs easier.
“The Style Review is a great way for students to show case all their hard work and their sewing abilities. It gives them the practice getting out in front of a group of people with poise and confidence,” Niehaus said. “The basic project is called Sew Fun, and that’s where they either make a pair of shorts or a skirt. Then it goes from beginner all the way up to the advanced, where they can make an evening dress. Everything in between.
“They don’t have to model their projects, but it’s really encouraged, because it’s part of completing the project. Most participants do model their projects.”
One participant who chose to model her projects was Alaina Ashworth. She was actually one of the sewers to go to the Ohio State Fair, where she was extremely successful. “I got the Clock award for my top and I got my extra award. I’m competing against three people and we get a certain amount of money, but I’m not sure how much,” she said. “I entered my winter coat, my striped turtle neck, my black leggings, my winter boots, and I entered a blue baby doll-style shirt and white pants.
“This is my second year in 4-H, but I’ve been doing sewing for about four or five years. I am excited for the Style Review. My aunt, she works for the State, so I’ve been asking her if I can do 4-H and I can do it now,” Ashworth said.
As for participation for the Style Review, Niehaus said it was about the same as last year, but down from previous years.
“Hopefully kids will be more involved and take up the art of sewing, because it really makes things a lot cheaper for kids in the long run,” she said. “The sewing projects are really great fun, the kids get together and work together to help each other. It’s just a great way to learn a skill that they can use for the rest of their life.”
