The “Big Three” features of effective youth serving programs are positive and sustained relationships between youth and adults; activities that build important life skills and opportunities for youth to practice these life skills as both participants and as leaders according to Lerner. (Lerner, R. M. 2005, September. Promoting Positive Youth Development: Theoretical and Empirical Bases).  Learning to sew through 4-H programs encompasses all three of these facets.   Youth are paired with a sewing mentor during their first sewing unit.  This relationship develops over years as the youth continues in the sewing program.  Learning to sew is a real life science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM) project for youth. Studies have found that youth who learned to sew a simple project showed elevated creativity after the activity. One study concluded that “children who sew today may have a real edge in the high-tech service economy of tomorrow where the creative, flexible worker will be in high demand.” (Home Sewing Association, Guidelines Sew Creative!, 1997)  Youth have learned operation of a sewing machine and/or serger and the sewing skills necessary to complete a project.     Each youth received a minimum of 12 hours of 4-H sewing instruction.  Youth that participated in several class offerings may have had as many as 56 hours of 4-H instruction from certified master clothing volunteers and community sewing mentors.  An individual skill sheet was completed as youth achieved a skill.   Youth communicated what they had learned during oral presentations and then in written achievement stories.  The number and quality of completed projects indicate the level of knowledge and skills that youth have achieved.  Reports from current and past youth indicate that they have sewn for family or friends after their 4-H instruction. Since 1999 over 400 youth have participated in 4-H sewing. These youth report developing critical thinking skills and independence that they use in everyday life.  This is evidenced by the number of Kenton County youth that have exceled at the State Sewing Skillathon or won class champions in quilting and sewing. Sewing has led to employment for many youth:  alterations, making designer sample clothing, making custom garments, creating home decoration projects for others.  Youth learn to help each other during sewing and quilting sessions and one youth achieved master clothing volunteer status so that she could ‘give back to the program’. “Sewing is a discipline that helps develop self-esteem, confidence, focus, patience, fine motor skills, problem solving, process thinking and visualization. Additionally, sewing encourages creative ability.” (The Creative Art of Sewing; www.North Jersey.com; September, 13, 2012.)  This youth development is evidenced by those youth that spend three or more years sewing with 4-H in Kenton County.  They have developed positive adult/youth relationships, learned mastery of an important skill and engaged in related activities like the 4-H Spring Showcase that develop leadership skills.