BROWNWOOD – A weekend Re-Fashion Retreat will be held Jan. 16-18 at the Texas 4-H Conference Center, 5600 Farm-to-Market Road 3021 near Brownwood, according to program coordinators.
The Re-Fashion Retreat will feature educational sessions conducted by members of the Texas 4-H clothing and textiles youth advisory board, fashion industry experts and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service personnel, said Mark Carroll, 4-H and youth development specialist and center program director.
The 4-H Re-Fashion Retreat will be held Jan. 16-18 at the 4-H Conference Center near Brownwood. (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo)
“Re-Fashion Retreat is designed to provide 4-H members and adult volunteers an opportunity to receive the most current information on new categories within the fashion review of the 4-H clothing project,” Carroll said. “Participants will engage in hands-on skills assessment, followed by workshops aimed at increasing knowledge and developing skills for re-fashioning garments and for shopping on a limited budget.”
He said the retreat is for 4-H members age 8 and older, plus adult chaperones. Participants will arrive at the center between 6:30-7:30 p.m. Jan. 16 and the program will conclude the afternoon of Jan. 18.
“This is a state-level development program with a new format that will focus on increasing knowledge and skills as part of a full weekend of fun and interesting activities,” Carroll said. “Each county is responsible for providing its own adult chaperones.”
He said this year’s retreat will include the newest 4-H clothing and textiles contest, “Duds to Dazzle.”
“This hands-on contest gives 4-H’ers the chance to shine as each team works to create a new product from an existing item using only their sewing supply kit, sewing closet and their previous sewing and design skills,” Carroll said. “In the Duds to Dazzle contest, participating youth will get a chance to use their design and sewing construction skills along with their knowledge of textiles and entrepreneurship skills to design and market their newly created items.”
Teams compete in one of the three categories — wearable, non-wearable or jewelry/accessory categories – then team members promote their item to a panel of judges.
“Youth will also travel to Brownwood to learn about Good Samaritan Ministries and the volume of clothing donated to their thrift store,” said Angela McCorkle, AgriLife Extension program specialist in family development and resource management, College Station.
“In the field trip exercise, 4-H’ers will visit the thrift store and make purchases toward an outfit. Participants buy clothing from head to toe for $25. Then youth members of the clothing advisory board will provide leadership for hands-on, experiential workshops in which they will teach sewing techniques.”
Participants will share their craftsmanship during the style show on Jan. 18.
“In addition, on Saturday we will have representatives from the clothing and textile industry speak to the 4-H’ers about fashion-related careers, and the education and skill requirements needed to succeed in those careers,” McCorkle said.
The cost for the retreat is $115 for youth and $80 for adults, which includes two nights lodging, four meals, two evening snacks and all program fees.
To register, go to the center’s website at http://texas4hcenter.tamu.edu/ and click on the “Register Now” link.
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