CUSTER COUNTY—Last week’s 4-H Public Fashion Show helped set the stage for the 2018 Custer County Fair. More than 100 clothing entries were submitted by students between the ages of 8 and 18, with 64 models working the runway last week.
Audrey Foster works as a student summer employee with the Custer County Extension office and studies textiles and merchandising at the University of Nebraska—Lincoln. Foster will be a junior this fall and says it always amazes her to see what the students can accomplish.
“It’s so fun to see the kids progress over time because you remember back when they were sewing pillows and now they’re sewing all these hard dresses!” Foster said.
Elements of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) were incorporated into patterns at every level of sewing. Foster said this year’s fashion show featured a wide range of clothing and some “very cute outfits.”
“I love seeing the excitement of the eight-year-olds just because they are so excited for it. After sewing for so long, I love seeing stuff that fits the kids. If they’ve mastered that, they’ve got sewing down so that’s great. There were some really cute rompers and some dresses. When people are able to accessorize stuff and make it look not homemade, that’s pretty sweet,” Foster said.
The top eight junior stylists (11 and under) included Riata Remund, Lilly Jonas, Kaygan Witthuhn, Justin Folkers, Ada Hornung, Anslee Joy Campbell, Ella Cool, and Emma Olson.
The top eight stylists in the senior division (12 and up) included Hannah Pearson, Toni Oberg, Annabelle Nichols, Chancey Hoblyn-Bittner, Janessa Kettleborough, Darla Nichols, Ellie Wells, and Katie Olson.
Three senior stylists will continue to the state fair in September: Annabelle Nichols, Hannah Pearson, and Toni Oberg with Ellie Wells as the alternate.
