From nutrition to clothing construction, home economics teaches students a variety of skills that may be applied to everyday life. Each year Sharon Scharf, home economics and art teacher, enters paintings and home economics projects done by campus students to the Big Fresno Fair.

Jessica Berg, ’07, entered her home economics project into the fair.

“I entered a red and white patchwork skirt that I made,” Berg said. “Mrs. Scharf thought that it was original and entered it into the fair.”

Berg’s interest in sewing began as a child when her grandmother sewed with her. Her skills progressed, and a few years ago she made a quilt with her mom.

“My grandma has such talent with sewing, and she really sparked my interest in it, ” Berg said. “My mom is also really crafty, so when I wanted to know how to make a quilt, she taught me how. It was a really fun experience making the quilt with my mom; she taught me a lot.”

Although many students lack interest in home economics, some students anticipate the opportunity to expand their talents in this field.

“After making the quilt with my mom I was really interested in learning more, so I decided to take home economics my freshman year,” Berg said. “Mrs. Scharf taught us a lot about quilting, and I thought that it would be a fun and creative idea to make a skirt out of a quilt.”

Hard work set Berg’s project apart from the others; her unique skirt was a step above the rest.

“Every now and then a student comes along and exhibits the patience and endurance to go the extra mile,” Scharf said. “Jessica did a lot of additional work to make the skirt. She met with me in the summer to finish it. I knew that her work was of a high enough quality to enter into the fair.”

Berg entered her skirt into the Junior Division, Beginner Sewing. It was her first time entering anything to the fair.

“She learned important little things for competition, like how to sew her own hems and make sure that every detail was taken care of. She brought the material in, and without any pattern and with little instruction we created a skirt.”

Berg was recognized for her efforts on Oct. 13 at the fair, where she won Best in Show. Two years ago, campus student Chris VandenHoek, ’03, was the recipient of a sewing machine when he won Best in Show with his personalized Hawaiian shirt.

“I won a sewing machine at the fair; it was nice to be honored for something that I worked at for such a long time,” Berg said. “I was impressed with the rest of the entrees, and I am excited that they chose mine as the winner.

For more information about home economics projects, contact Scharf at 299-1695, ext. 5 or e-mail her at [email protected].
” “Laura Berg” “For the second time in school history, a student has won Best of Show for a quilted skirt at the Big Fresno Fair. Jessica Berg, ’07, left, is awarded a sewing machine in the Junior Division Beginners Sewing Department by Superintentent Cindy Suarez on Oct. 13.” “Laura Berg” “After her grandmother got her interested in sewing, Jessica Berg, ’07, sewed a quilted skirt for the Big Fresno Fair and won Best of Show in her division on Oct. 13.” “Insert text here