Merrimack County 4-H Sewing Showcase

IMPORTANT EVENT DETAILS:

• Register through 4HOnline – by March 20, 2023.
• Submit modeling script by March 20, 2023 – here: https://unh.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_4GG9a3Xh7xXZDjo
• Sewing Evaluation Day – Saturday, April 1, 2023, at Epsom Central School (282 Black Hall Rd. Epsom, NH 03234). Orientation for volunteers at 8:15am with judging beginning at 8:45am.
• Sewing Showcase – Friday, April 7, 2023, Pittsfield Players Theatre (6 Depot St. Pittsfield, NH 03263). Youth arrive at 6:30pm (dressed and ready for show), the show starts at 7:00pm.

ABOUT:

4-H youth (ages 5-18) can enter ANY handmade item to be judged and showcased. There are FOUR categories a 4-H member may enter a handmade item(s) in – 1. garments, 2. quilts/quilted items, 3. knitting/crocheting, and 4. other sewn items. The items will all be judged on Evaluation Day, and members will have the opportunity to model them at the Sewing Showcase.

Additionally, youth (ages 8-18) can participate in the Fashion Selections event. Youth shop for an outfit from one of the judging categories and meet with a panel of judges to talk about their outfit selection and model it.

WAYS TO PARTICIPATE:

1. Youth can enter one item per category below:
   • Garment: youth sew and create their own piece of clothing
   • Quilt/Quilted Item: blanket, jacket, potholder, wall hanging, pillow, bag, etc.
   • Knitting/Crocheting: scarf, hat, mittens, sweater, blanket, etc.
   • Other Sewn Item: pin cushion, shopping bag, bandana, pillowcase, backpack, cushion, etc.
   • Participate in Fashion Selections (open to youth 8 & older)

EVALUATION DAY DETAILS:

Youth will arrive at 8:45am and check-in at the registration table. 4-Hers will be directed to their entry category’s judging room.  Youth should not arrive wearing a garment that is to be evaluated. In between judging there will be a modeling clinic to help youth practice for the Sewing Showcase with their script being read. Parents are not allowed in the judging area and are invited to wait in the gymnasium. Judging may take a few hours depending on the member’s item(s) and skill level.

*NEW THIS YEAR* SCRIPT SUBMISSIONS:

• ALL YOUTH must submit their SCRIPT ONLY by March 20, 2023.
  • Script Submission Link: https://unh.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_4GG9a3Xh7xXZDjo
• The Project Description Form must be completed for all handmade items (Sewn Garment, Quilted Item, Knitted/Crocheted Item, & Other Sewn Item).  One Project Description Form per item, with all items you are entering combined into one narrative script.
• Bring the Project Description Form(s) to Sewing Evaluation Day for the judge to review. Youth DO NOT need to submit the project description form to the 4-H office. They just need to submit their script using the above link.

The script needs to be lively and descriptive and include the youth’s name, age, and club as part of the narrative. Please review the commentary fact sheet to help guide youth while writing the script. All items entered must be described in one script, as they will be modeled/exhibited all at the same time. Example: a 4-Her sews pajama pants and makes a crocheted scarf. Both would be worn at the same time and discussed in the same script while walking in the sewing showcase.

SCORESHEETS:

Scoresheets can be found here. Cloverbuds will not be scored on a points system but will receive feedback on their items.

FASHION SELECTIONS DETAILS:

Participants 8 & older are invited to take part in Fashion Selections. Youth shop for an outfit from one of the judging categories below and meet with a panel of judges to talk about their outfit selection and model it. We will assign an arrival time for youth to be interviewed by the judges and notify participants via email. The top 3 participants (with a score of 75 & higher) will be named to represent NH 4-H at Eastern States Exposition (must be 12 or older). Every participant needs to complete the Fashion Selection Entry Form (bring to event) and register through 4HOnline and submit their script by March 20, 2023.

Fashion Selections - categories include:

• Best Bargains for under $25
• Sports/Leisure Activities (no team sport uniforms)
• School
• Special Occasions
• Makeovers (garments that you have changed since purchasing)
• Career Fashions (talk to someone in a career that interests you and then put together an outfit that would be appropriate for that career).
• Interview Outfits (appropriate for 4-H, work, or college interviews)

COUNTY AWARDS & EASTERN STATES EXPOSITION:

Youth will receive a participation ribbon, small gift, and certificate at the Sewing Showcase on April 7, 2023. Youth who qualify at the County Sewing Showcase will be invited to participate in Eastern States Exposition in September. To qualify, the 4-Her needs to be 12 years of age or older and be one of the top three scorers from one of the five entry categories. They must also meet the minimum score of 70 points to qualify.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

If you can volunteer, please let us know. We need volunteers to fulfill the following roles:

• Hall Monitors
• Garment Judges
• Quilting Judges
• Knitting Judges
• Crocheting Judges
• Other Sewn Items Judges
• Fashion Selection Panel of Judges
• General Event Helpers
• Showcase Help

If you can volunteer, please fill out the Volunteer Registration Form: https://unh.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eUP85WHxcsKGUIu

SEWING SHOWCASE DETAILS:

Youth who participated in Sewing Evaluation Day are invited to show off their work at the Sewing Showcase on April 7^th. Participant arrival is 6:30pm (dressed and ready for show) and the show time is 7:00pm. Youth will take the stage to model and display their handmade items or Fashion Selections wardrobe for their family and friends at the showcase. Commentators will read their submitted script while youth will take the stage showing off their creations! Want to help us plan the theme for this years showcase? Keep reading below.