One size does not fit all

Needle and thread have come a long way on college campuses. The Wearable Art course, housed in the recently renovated studio space of Frey Hall, is valuable to any student interested in the sustainability, design and construction of clothing.

In a fast fashion world, the benefits are designing one-of-a-kind clothing and knowing what you’re paying for,” said Christine Forsythe, chair of the Department of Visual Arts.

Abigail Leach ’16, who majored in family and consumer science education with a minor in studio art, says she enjoyed the creative-based course.

“Wearable arts is more individually focused on developing the designer in yourself,” said Leach.  “I absolutely adored that class.”

For her field experience, Leach had a chance to combine skills from her major and her minor: teaching clothing construction to students at Cumberland Valley High School.

“The first seams anyone sews will be crooked,” said Leach, “however, there is a learning curve. I remember by the third project, my students’ faces lit up when they sewed a messenger bag with straight seams.”

For students interested in next-level sewing, she demonstrated a technique called draping, which involves creating a clothing design from cotton muslin as a draft.

“I was working with one student on her dress,” explained Leach. “To go from working with cotton to leather was quite the learning experience for her.”

Teaching sewing techniques to high school students allowed her to use real-world creativity in the workforce.

It’s a valuable skill,” said Leach of sewing.  “A lot of clothes are made for a specific form, but everyone is a different body type. It’s rewarding to craft something on your own and wear a unique piece.

—Myriam Pedercini ’17