Bennett gained much of the fabric sheused for her final fashion show

Tag : double-faced fabric
In Jessica Bennett’s closet, woolen smock dresses and skirtsets of her childhood share the limited space with a dramatic plumand pumpkin silk dress .

The closet shows an evolution of Bennett’s sewing skills,from her first pattern-based projects that won the 4-H ribbonshanging over the closet shelf to the more modern, sophisticatedoutfits that won her first place and the title of “MostPromising Designer” at the University of Delaware in May.

It may have been her grandmothers who taught her how to sew, butBennett said it was the 4-H that encouraged her to turn her talentinto a future career.

“By senior year of high school, I knew I had to do something[for a career] that I had spent my life doing,” said the21-year-old from New Windsor.

Through 4-H, Bennett also received the Nathan A. Blizzard Memorial4-H/FFA Scholarship and the Eddie Harrison Jr. Memorial Scholarshipto help lessen the financial burden of college.

“I’m really thankful for the support 4-H gave me for myeducation,” Bennett said.

She chose the University of Delaware, where she graduated in May,because it has an up-and-coming fashion and apparel studiesprogram, Bennett said.

While many of the classes began with sewing starter lessons,Bennett said she surprised her professors with her sewing knowledgecoming into a class. Bennett said her sewing background gave her aleg up in class, allowing her to practice some advanced techniquesand use materials that intimidated other students, such asdouble-faced wool.

In addition to her classes through school, Bennett also had fashioninternships in New York, with Proenza Schouler and the BahariGroup. Through an internship, Bennett gained much of the fabric sheused for her final project and the fashion show at the Universityof Delaware, where she placed first.