Wilson and Thombleson take top ribbons at 4-H Fashion Revue

TOPS IN FASHION REVUE -- Nikkole Thombleson, at left, and Jennifer Wilson, both students at Bloomfield Junior-Senior High School were the top ribbon winners on Thursday night's 4-H Fashion Revue staged at the fairgrounds. (Daily World Staff photo by Jo Chiparo)

SWITZ CITY -- It was all about fashion Thursday evening at the Greene County Extension Building. Linda Tiek introduced 4-H members as they walked onto the runway and described the clothes they were modeling, both consumer clothes and clothes from the sewing entry.

The two senior grand champions were Nikkole Thombleson for consumer clothing and Jennifer Wilson for her homemade ensemble. Emma Doris was the junior grand champion in the sewing division.

Thombleson modeled her consumer outfit consisting of white slacks, hot pink blouse, white shoes and coordinating jewelry.

She also entered an ensemble in the sewing category, which was a scarlet red raincoat and matching hat. The black and white herringbone boots complimented her outfit.

"I like sewing, modeling and competing," said Thombleson who will be a senior at Bloomfield High School this fall.

She added that she had to order the fabric for her coat in Denver, Colo.

In addition to sewing, Thombleson enters swine and goats at the Greene County Fair, which officially gets underway on Saturday.

Jennifer Wilson, also a Bloomfield High School senior, modeled her winning outfit, which was black and white checked slacks, white blouse and black vest.

"This is a good experience," noted Wilson. "I have been sewing since I was in the third grade and have learned about fabrics, how clothes fit and how different clothes compliment the body."

Both Wilson and Thombleson are eligible to enter their fashions at the Indiana State Fair.

The junior grand champion in regular sewing was Emma Doris who is in the seventh grade. Emma's versatile summer outfit consisted of a flowing blouse with knee length shorts. She wore black ballerina shoes that matched her ensemble.  

Diane Wilson, who was the co-chair of the event along with Nancy Beach said the contestants learn about clothing and fabric and how to build a wardrobe so different pieces work together.

"There used to be a program in school for sewing, but there is no program for that anymore," Wilson said. "Now, the young people have to learn it at home from their mothers or grandmothers."

Plaque sponsors for the fashion revue were Happy Workers Extension Homemakers Club, Greene County Daily World and Linton Tri-Kappa.