Design and Merchandising Programming

Fiber/Textile Science: Participants will use optical microscopes to examine fibers like cotton and nylon and will explore synthetic fiber formation through spinning techniques. Students will dye and compare the qualities of dyes on different fabrics.

​​Digital Textile Printing: Participants will create digital textile designs using pattern repeat techniques. They will print their textile designs using digital printing technology and will use these textiles to create a sewn garment or item.

​​Apparel Technology and Engineering: Participants will employ 3D body scanning technology to measure human body dimensions, which will be used to calculate critical measurements for garment construction.

Apparel Costing and Pricing: Students will calculate the cost of garment production based on their choice of materials and location of production to inform the final retail price for their own product.

Historic Textiles: Young people will learn about the history of fashion and textiles using examples from the Avenir Museum of Design and Merchandising. They will be introduced to museum best practices and the science and technology used in conservation to ensure the long-term preservation of historic material.

Science of Felt: Expanding on the students’ fiber and textile science knowledge, students create felt artwork to better understand how the scales on felt fibers can interlock.

Apparel Construction: Students learn the basics of industrial sewing machines, then learn to take their own body measurements to create patterns customized for them and how flat 2D pieces combine to fit a 3D body.

Body Image/Media Literacy: Participants will build an understanding of the concept of body image, how cultural beauty ideals can influence body image for diverse groups, what it means to have a positive body image, and how we can build positive body image by becoming critical consumers of the media. Participants also will create their own tee-shirts with a body-positive message on them.

Nutrition: Participants will gain an understanding of what constitutes a healthy and balanced lifestyle by planning, preparing, eating, and analyzing the nutritional content of a meal.

CSU Rec Center: Students will partake in physical activities at the CSU Recreation Center or outdoors that promote self-confidence and team building.

Creative Movement: Students will participate in creative movement activities that engage them in self-expression and build self-confidence.