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Sewing up pride in a job well done
Story and photos by
Lynn A. Wade
Nevada Daily Mail
Five young seamstresses took part in the Fashion Revue, an event for Vernon County Youth Fair exhibitors who entered clothing they've made in the fair's non-livestock division.
First their projects are judged along with other non-livestock projects. Then, those who made clothing have the option of taking part in the Revue.
Donning the clothing they made, they visit a judge for a one-on-one conversation about how they went about constructing the clothing. The winner goes on to the State Fashion Revue, where they attend sessions, one of which is with the judges, who again ask questions of the entrant relating to the project. The state event culminates in what exhibitor Sarah Byers called a "big fashion show," where participants model their entries in front of a large crowd of spectators.
Emma Pritchett, 12, constructed an entire outfit and accessories. It's the second year she's participated in the event. Emma said she hunted for fabric until she found a print that "popped out" at her. She learned to sew from her grandmother, Patty Pritchett, and says she "loves sewing clothing. It's fun to tell my friends I made this," when she's wearing one of her creations.
Emma's purse won reserve grand champion, and her items were selected for state and district events, separate from the Fashion Revue. Emma won that event, too.
Sydney Ernsbarger, 11; has been sewing for three years, having learned the craft from her mother. Sydney constructed a skirt and another dress. She wore the dress for the Fashion Revue. Earning blue and purple ribbons and state selection, Sydney said she chooses projects based on "how cute they are and if I'm going to wear them. If I'm not going to wear them, it's kind of a waste of the fabric and your time. I just pick what I think is cute."
She especially likes waffle fabric and bright colors, and enjoys taking part in the fair event because "I love making things. Whenever you wear your project," it feels good to "know you did a good job."
Morgan Ernsbarger, 14, has been sewing for five years. This year, she made a dress and purse, earning a blue ribbon for the purse and a blue ribbon and state selection for the dress.
Morgan said she likes making clothing, especially dresses and skirts she can wear to church. She likes being able to personalize clothing and says she "gets satisfaction out of knowing I can make my own clothes and that if I need to make something really quickly, I can."
Sarah Byers, 12, made a shirt and a fabric belt adorned with pink jewels. Indicating the belt, she said, "Everyone thinks it's leather, but it's not."
Sarah had a minor difficulty with the jewels on the shirt; they're glued on with a special fabric glue. Washing the shirt made some of them come off; but she was able to re-attach them securely. Her projects earned a blue ribbon and state selection.
Sarah's been sewing for three years and says she loves to sew. "It runs in the family," she said, adding that her mother, grandmother and great aunt all sew.
She loves to make "clothes for myself," and to personalize her wardrobe. She picks her projects by visiting craft stores until she finds one she "gets excited about."
Kate Burch, 10, made a dress and a purse. It's her first year of sewing, and she saw a similar item in a catalog she liked, so she decided to make it. Since she's only been sewing a short time, she hasn't discovered what sort of project will be her favorite. In addition to her Fashion Revue entry, she made a sock monkey and a bandanna pillow, earning state selection for the pillow and blue ribbons for the other entries.
She feels good about accomplishing so much, and said participating in the fair helps her gain confidence and overcome some of her fears.