Boy is this subject bringing back mamories!! When I first started 4-H, the sewing leader asked, "does anyone know how to pull a thread?" Of course, eager beaver here, says, "I do" and proceeded to take hold of a thread laying on the table and pulled it!! I was really embarassed when I found out the 'real' way to "pull a thread". :oops:

Yes, I made lamps in 4-H. I even made a light to go over my bed and it wentto the state fair. I won a trip to Washington DC and New York in the electric project, which I thought was great. I was just off Times Square when Eisenhower won in 1956. A lot of noise.

No 4H where I grew up but girls had sewing in 7th and 8th grades, while the boys had shop. In 7th grade we made pj's and had to model them at a school assembly in June, boy was that embarassing for 12 year old girls. 8th grade we made our white graduation dresses. Graduation dress had French seams, you can imagine how that white dress looked after being handled from Sept. to June of 8th grade. It was difficult sewing these items together as there was only one sewing machine in our sewing class and at home we had a treadle that I never really mastered, good thing we had all term to make them. My MIL gave me her old White sewing machine in 1960 and I began sewing a little, mostly simple curtains and repairs to clothes. I didn't begin quilting until 1999.

We also had cooking in those grades. I'm the oldest of 7 children and had been cooking since I was six years old so cooking class was easy for me. We recorded the recipes in note books that we had covered with oilcloth. One thing new to me was using measuring cups and spoons, at home we used and coffee cup and regular spoons, no wonder my cakes came out so heavy. May in Jersey

I still have my pin, all my ribbons, and beanie. Was thinking of using the ribbons to make a wall hanging or something. All the pictures and momentos from the National 4-H congress.

I'm a 4-h'er too. Many years ago. I was on the Indiana State Fair website and someone advertised making collage of ribbons, etc. in a wall hanging.

I have a grand daughter in 4-h and quite a sewer. In our area, 4-h is making a comeback. Non-livestock members can exhibit in multiple areas in a project. ie Photography...they can take black & white prints, color prints, and salon prints in their level. In other words, 3 projects. Last year my grand daughter won overall fair achievement with 21 projects. She is hooked.

Someplace in a basement box lies ten years of 4-H records and photos of not only my sewing projects but also my conservation, rabbits and dairy foods projects. I just cannot throw away those ribbons, pins and trophies especially since I believe the entire success of my life today stems from the confidence and leadership I gained from 4-H. While I also took Home Ec in high school and participated in Make It With Wool too, traveling with the 4-H club to State Fair and State Conferences gave this gal an opportunity to think outside of my county. Let me see here--the Pledge: I pledge my Head to clearer thinking; my Heart to greater loyalty; my Hands to larger service and my Health to better living for my club, my community and my country.

Now here is a twist for you.....recently I was asked to speak before a 4-H group. During the pledge, I quickly learned how life has gotten so much bigger than the 1950s and 60s. The 4-H pledge now ends with the following:

...for my club, my community, my country, and my world.
A thank you is extended to all my Leaders and County Agents! May they all rest in peace because their job was well done.

You know Marty Mitchell and Nancey Zieman are both 4-H er's, and quickly give credit to those times in their lives.

Yes. I made a white blouse and green gathered skirt. We didn't have much money so didn't get a real pattern. My aunt drew the pattern from another blouse. Collar & all & showed me how to make a gathered skirt. The fabric was some that we had on hand. I struggled with it & sort of envied the girls that had real patterns to work with but it came out fine. I won a red ribbon & was quite happy! I learned more in Home Economics in school. My grandmother & aunts also taught me a lot.

I also grew up in Southeastern Indiana. We lived on a farm about 7 miles down the river from Hanover.

No, I did not know that. Thanks, it gave me the opportunity to quickly call up their website and have a lot of new things to read.