This is my Wool Contest Story:
My Wool Contest Story
Hello my name is Cora ; I am twelve years old and I live in Idaho. I am a fifth year member of the Hodge Podgers 4-H club and this is my fifth year with a sewing project.
This year my project level was Sew What unit 4. Requirements to complete this level were Collar or Cuffs, Set-in Sleeve, Waistband, Zipper, Pockets, Button and Buttonholes. My first year in Sew What (2008) I completed a wool jumper using the zipper, pockets, button and buttonhole. That is when I fell in love working with wool. Cutting, pinning and sewing wool fabric is great and when it is all done it looks so rich and nice. 2009 left me with waistband, set-in sleeve, and collar or cuffs.
After reading the Style, Fashion, and Fad activity in my Sew What Member’s Manual I chose to make two garments. I am all about the country life wranglers and cowboy boots that’s me. Dresses are not my favorite thing to wear so I had to find my own style. I decided on a pair of slacks and a cute three-quarter-length sleeve jacket. The pattern for the pants is Simplicity 2860 and for the jacket it is Simplicity 3563.
Picking the patterns was easy compared to finding the wool fabric in a color that I liked and would wear, I traveled from Boise to Burley. I was looking for a color other than black that could be worn on any given day that would be fashionable for many years, and that I could build my wardrobe around. I chose dark green 80% wool for the jacket and green gray 100% wool for the slacks. Both were on sale.
There were a few new sewing challenges when it came time to make the jacket. The most difficult was the sleeves, I had to rip and sew one of the sleeves again. I don’t like ripping so I took my time on the other sleeve and used lots of pins. The shawl collar was another challenge easing is and art; my leader said easing takes years of practice, so I just used lots of pins on and took my time on this too. To finish my jacket I hand stitched the hem and added black and silver buttons.
Wool fabric is expensive so I made a practice pair of slacks first out of denim to check for fit and made adjustments to the size and fit. Then I cut out and made my wool slacks; because denim is different from wool I still had to do a little more tailoring to the slacks. I turned them inside out and put them on, pinned and tailored them to fit better. I think the zipper was my most difficult to put in I tried my best and just took my time. It was a good thing I made a practice pair of slacks first the waistband and belt loops were new to me and I needed the extra practice.
From cowboy boots to sling back shoes now that was a real challenge. I practiced walking in my sling backs for weeks before my county style revue. I even vacuumed the carpet in them.
When it came time for the County Style Revue. I was hoping for a cool evening; it wasn’t it was 102 that day. While trying not to sweat (not a good accessory) I tried to stay true to my own style. I added a silver western style necklace, earrings, bracelet, and clip for my hair.
At the county level I received a Blue ribbon in style revue and the Purple Rosette for my wool jacket and slacks sewing project.
The District III Style Revue was held at the Twin Falls County Fair this year. It started at about 9:30 a.m. The weather was a little cooler that morning it even rained, but stopped just in time for the Revue to start. I love going to District it is fun to see what all the others are making and talk to them about their different projects. At District I received a Blue Rosette and the honor of being Intermediate Grand Champion.
After it was all over I thought to myself; do your feet ever stop hurting when wearing sling backs and heels or is it something we just get use too.
