This guide is designed to help you see yourself as others will see you on the day you model your 4-H clothing project for evaluation. It will also help you to be certain that you look your best every day and for every occasion.
Occasion-Where do you plan to war your garment? Will it be appropriate?
Style-Is the style becoming to you? Is it appropriate for your age? Is the fabric suitable for the design of the garment?
Color-Is the color becoming to you? Is it a color that looks well with other items your are wearing?
Texture-Is the texture of the fabric (rough, shiny, fuzzy) suitable for your? Is it appropriate for the style and design of the garment and for the occasion for which you will wear it?
Is the garment well balanced so that the center front and center back form straight lines at the center front and center back for your figure? Are the shoulder seams the correct slant and length? Do the darts point to, but not beyond, the curved areas of your figure? Is the waistline of the garment located at your natural waistline or according to the design of the garment? Do the vertical seams form plumb lines? Is the hemline straight? Are the ease allowances adequate for comfort and appearance and for the design of the garment? (Check each of these points for bodice and skirt or pants where appropriate.)
Are you as neat and clan as possible? If you use makeup, have you used it tastefully? Is your hair appropriately and becomingly styled? Are your hands and nails clean and will cared for? Is your clothing (under and outer) clean, free of spots and odors, pressed and in good repair?
Standing-Do you stand tall with back straight, head up and chin in? Do you keep your shoulders back, your chest up, abdomen in, and buttocks tucked under?
Sitting-Do you sit tall, back in the chair with your back and hips touching the chair? If you cross your legs, do you do it becomingly? Do you get in and out of a chair gracefully?
Walking-Do you walk tall keeping your body erect? Do you take even steps eared to your size? Do you walk with your toes straight ahead? Do you use your arms for balance in a pleasing manner? Do you look well on stage at Fashion Revue time?
Are you at ease? Do you avoid fidgeting with your hands and picking at your clothes or yourself? Do you wear your garment proudly and show it off to its best advantage?
Are your undergarments suitable for your figure? Do they fit you well? Are they selected to improve the appearance of your clothing?
Number-Have you chosen a pleasing number of accessories-enough to complement your garment but not overpower it? (shoes may be the only accessories you need.)
Harmony-Does the color of your accessories complement your clothing? Is the color a pleasing value or intensity for your? Are the design and texture of your accessories in character with your garment and with each other? Are your accessories appropriate for your size?
Choice of Method-Are the construction methods you used appropriate for the design of the garment, for the type of fabric, and for the type of wear you expect from the garment? For example, did you finish the seams in a way that will prevent raveling—will they wear well and not interfere with the design of general appearance of the garment? Did you select the type of buttonhole that will best complement the design and that is suitable for the fabric?
Remember – it is the overall result that is most important, not the method used!
Grain line – Did you cut your garment "on grain”? Some fabrics with wrinkle-resistant or stabilizing finishes can tolerate a small percentage of “off-grain” depending on their design and texture, but most fabrics, including knits, should be cut exactly on the grain to insure the best possible hand and fit. For designs with bias cut, the fabric should be cut on true bias.
Workmanship-How good of a job did you do in making your garment? For example, are the stitch length and tension correct? Is the stitching straight and are the darts tapered, not blunt? Are the interfacings and facings neat and not bulky? Are the fasteners neat and secure? Is the collar neat—no under collar rolling out or points poking up? Are the sleeves set in smoothly – the ease evenly spaced with no puckering? If the garment is lined, is the lining placed so that it does not distort the outer fabric and overall line? Is the hem as inconspicuous as possible and durable enough for the kind of care it will receive?
Under pressing – Did you press as you sewed? Did you press one seam before crossing it with another?
Top Pressing – Did you do a good job pressing after completing your garment? Were you careful not to over press, particularly on the right side of the fabric?
Consider how long you plan to wear the garment and for what occasions. Will the fabric or style require a minimum amount of time, effort, and cost to keep the garment clean, pressed and in good repair?
Adapted by Madelyn Williams, Extension Clothing Specialist, Davis, form material prepared by Marjorie Mead and Esther Siemen, Extension Specialists in Clothing, University of California, October, 1970.
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