When planning her sewing project, Christy Kettler wanted to channel a New York/Los Angeles fashion girl with the wind blowing her hair a la the cover of Vogue magazine. Looking the part of a model, Kettler walked the catwalk to receive Grand Champion in the 4-H Fashion Revue.
“I’m a jeans and T-shirt girl who scoops poop and works with pigs,” she said. “I wanted to do something outside the box.”
Kettler is in her eighth year of 4-H. The Jackson Hot Shots 4-H Club member is a Westfield resident and will be a senior at Hamilton Heights High School this fall. She has participated in sewing projects every year of her 4-H career with the help of her mother, Tammy.
“It got started as a good bonding experience with my mom, who was a professional (seamstress) for awhile,” said Kettler. “It’s something fun we do together.”
For her outfit, Kettler picked out the fabric, pattern, shoes, belt and other accessories.
“This was the very first one I did all by myself,” she said. “It made it even better – it’s my own creation.”
The 4-H Fashion Revue includes six categories: formal wear, separates, suit or coat, dress-up, free choice, and informal or casual wear, which was the category Kettler entered her Fourth of July summer themed outfit.
Kettler plans to attend Purdue University to major in agriculture. While she enjoys the life-long lessons she’s learn from sewing, her passion lies with farming. But Kettler has at least one more project in mind after her 4-H days are over.
“I want to make my wedding dress,” she said.