Anne Ribeiro of Burnt River models a hunter's vest she made and modeled during Tuesday's Baker County 4-H Public Style Revue. (Baker City Herald/Alex Pajunas).

By MIKE FERGUSON

Each spring, 14-year-old Irene Ribeiro of Unity helps re-enact the Civil War era during the annual Camp Logan Days event in Prairie City.

The dress she used to wear was a hand-me-down her grandmother made for Irene’s mother, Lani, who in turn passed it down to Irene

But Irene was ready for a new dress, and 1860’s era dresses aren’t readily available at most area clothing stores.

So she sewed her own and modeled it Tuesday night at the Baker County 4-H Public Style Revue.

Irene was one of a dozen youth who modeled their own creations at the Baker County Extension office. Some wore scarfs they knitted, others their pajamas or what are known as andquot;church lady apronsandquot; in sewing circles.

The event was forced indoors by the evening’s thunderstorm.

Her new dress, made of wool and elegantly styled, took about 46 hours to sew, she said. The complicated project required a little help from her mother, Lani.

With her new frock, Irene said she hopes to reprise the role of a teacher that she played at last year’s Civil War re-enactment.

At Tuesday’s Style Revue, she certainly looked the part. She topped off her outfit with a fancy parasol that looked appropriate to the Civil War era.

Her 11-year-old sister, Anne, also took her personal interests into account when selecting her sewing project. Anne modeled a bright orange hunter’s vest she sewed herself. She accessorized her outfit with a gun case and flannel shirt.

The sisters are members of the Burnt River Community 4-H Club.

Anne said she is eager to go on her first hunting trip this fall with her father, Mike. Rather than simply purchasing a hunting vest, she decided to sew her own.

The most difficult part, she explained, was sewing the binding. In all, the project took about 14 hours work again, under the watchful eyes of her mother, Lani.

andquot;At times I was a help, but at other times I was a bear,andquot; Lani admitted with a laugh. Neither daughter offered a comment to their mother’s assessment.

Hard to fit? Sew it yourself

Zayda Fleming, who’s andquot;almost 13andquot; and a member of the Keating Sew-n-Sews 4-H Club, also overcame a challenge to complete her outfit, a smart, tailored black suit.

Fleming has a size 10 waist but a size 16 inseam, her mother, Hali, explained, and sometimes has a hard time buying clothes off the rack.

andquot;The pants are all about six inches too short for me,andquot; Zayda explained.

Her solution was to tailor her own suit, which of course fit her perfectly. The hardest parts were altering the pattern and sewing the zipper in, she said.

Business sponsors allowed for both ribbons and gifts to be awarded to winners. The gifts ranged from gift certificates and make-up bags to irons.

Other winners announced Tuesday night included:

Seniors: Grand Champion, Katie Stephens, BCBC Club; Reserve Grand Champion, Morgan Davis, Lone Pine Heirs

Intermediate: Grand Champion, Klarissa Harris, Keating Sew-N-Sews; Reserve Grand Champion, Kara Harris, Keating Sew-N-Sews

Wearable Art: Grand Champion, A.R. Davis, Lone Pine Heirs; Reserve Grand Champion and Knitting Champion, Lakisha Garner, Lone Pine Heirs

Juniors: Grand Champion, Alicia Trindle, Lone Pine Heirs; Reserve Grand Champion, Lakisha Garner, Lone Pine Heirs

Sewing: Junior Grand Champion, Lakisha Garner, Lone Pine Heirs; Intermediate Grand Champion, Kara Harris, Keating Sew-N-Sews

Best of Show: Sewing, Kara Harris, Keating Sew-N-Sews