(02/10/17) POLLOCK, La. – Elizabeth Orgeron discovered that learning to sew could be a challenge when her sewing machine stopped stitching her Sleeping Beauty mask. But she was up and running again when Heather Goss, a teen 4-H Fashion Board member from Calcasieu Parish, stepped in to help.

“I learned you have to put the bobbin in a certain way for it to work,” Orgeron said.

Orgeron, a Lafourche Parish 4-H’er, was one of 76 youth and adults who took part in 4-H Fashion Camp Jan. 21-22 at the LSU AgCenter Grant Walker 4-H Educational Center.

Tanya Giroir, AgCenter specialist and coordinator of the statewide fashion program, said she strives to make the camp a fun experience where campers make new friends and are encouraged to extend the program on the parish level by having their own fashion camp.

“That’s really the goal: to teach them how to do it and to go home and teach someone else to do it,” she said.

In addition to Sleeping Beauty’s eye mask, other projects that had names from movies included a 007 lip balm holder, a Sound of Music earbud pouch, Orphan Annie’s pillowcase and Willie Wonka’s marshmallow man.

Campers also drew fashion illustrations, practiced modeling, learned how to use a sewing machine and made a parfait pin cushion.

“I’m really looking forward to using these projects and hope to involve more children next year,” said Rapides Parish 4-H agent Crystal Bowie. She plans to revive a summer sewing workshop offered years ago in her parish.

Rapides Parish 4-H’er Piper Smith said her favorite part of camp was meeting so many new people, while her friend Samantha Paul could hardly wait to make the marshmallow man project. “I want to put it on my bed and sleep with it!” Paul said.

“Our purpose is for youth to gain independence and knowledge and increase their skill base to promote the clothing and textiles project,” said Bossier Parish 4-H agent and Fashion Board adviser Jeannie Crnkovic.

Each camper and leader received a packet with a glossary of basic sewing terms, a picture of the sewing machine and parts, a picture of the serger and parts, the instructions for all of the projects they do at camp, and often two or three additional projects, Crnkovic said.

East Carroll Parish 4-H agent and Fashion Board adviser Lekeisha Lucas-Powell explained that to fulfill the camp mission, every two campers must be accompanied by at least one adult, who can be a parent, grandparent or community leader. “It’s like a team and is a great bonding experience as family and community leaders work together,” she said.

Giroir incorporates healthy living, citizenship, technology and math as well as service projects in fashion camp. Campers brought children’s books to donate and decorated and filled book bags to benefit Ronald McDonald House charities, she said.

The camp is planned, organized and produced by the state 4-H Fashion Leadership Board, consisting of selected teens from across the state, at their summer board meeting. “The teens come prepared to share projects, ice breakers and fun ideas and bring a fresh new look to the fashion program every year,” Giroir said.

“We started planning in July and were all strangers, so it is great that we get to know each other and are able plan this big event,” said Ra’Janae Morris, chairman of the 4-H Fashion Board from St. Charles Parish.

Giroir has a team of adult volunteers and AgCenter agents who serve as fashion board advisors and help with camp and the state 4-H fashion program.

Brittany Flynn, Nadia Dinwiddie and Amanda Barry are all former fashion board members who came back to help this year.

Flynn, a junior at LSU, said most of the campers and many of the adults are beginner sewing students. “Being able to not only help a child, but also help mom, so they can go home and learn together, is a cool experience,” she said.

Dinwiddie started her own fashion-related business after high school and got her start in 4-H. “I feel like that’s where I need to be plugged in, and I need to give back because I don’t want it to stop with me,” she said.

“To me, this is the true spirit of 4-H,” said Vermilion Parish 4-H volunteer leader Paulette Adam. “The environment is so positive. You can rest assured that everyone in the room is reinforcing the same positive values that you want your children to learn. It’s just amazing.”

Applications for fashion camp are distributed each year in August, and AgCenter agents promote the program through local parish 4-H programs. Fashion camp targets youth ages 10 to 13 years old and is limited to the first 40 applications received.

Mary Bounds and her daughter, Olivia, from Calcasieu Parish, work together to make a sewing caddy assisted by Tangipahoa Parish 4-H volunteer leader Claudette Mack at 4-H Fashion Camp on Jan. 21-22. Photo by Karol Osborne/LSU AgCenter

More than 75 youth, parents and volunteers converted the LSU AgCenter Grant Walker 4-H Educational Center into a sewing and creative arts school at 4-H Fashion Camp held Jan. 21-22. Photo by Karol Osborne/LSU AgCenter