On Thursday, Nov. 8, the Apparel Merchandising and Design Association opened the seams of the Spidle Hall sewing lab for everyone in need of affordable alterations.
Many students, some staff and others from the community gathered a half hour before the doors opened to take advantage of low priced alterations that usually cost a fortune.
"I think this is a good opportunity for students to make sure their clothes are fitting well at a more reduced cost than most of the alterations around town," said Joe Harmon, senior in civil engineering.
Harmon brought in a navy blazer and was escorted by AMDA Vice President Eryn Patton to the full-length mirror at the back of the room where he slid into the jacket and tugged at the bottom hem with his fingertips. Patton then assisted Harmon by folding the hem and inserting pins to hold it in place while other AMDA members continued other alterations at sewing machines in the background.
According to Patton, blazers and fully-lined suits proved to be the most difficult items to alter.
"The ones that had lining and that had the most layers were the most challenging because all of the students that were helping with the alterations were at different skill levels," Patton said. "But they were learning from watching others, so I think students learned a lot from the difficult pieces that were brought in."
Patton said that the variety of pieces brought in made the event interesting because each customer had a different alteration need. She said several students came in preparation for an upcoming formal and others brought old, retired articles of clothing for an interesting update to fit today's trends.
AMDA President Kelsey Reynolds said she also felt that diversity made the event interesting.
"It was fun to meet a lot of people from other majors around campus," Reynolds said.
Reynolds said she was able to see how the organization's event flyers and class visits successfully inspired students from all majors to visit a place that typically attracts students interested in apparel.
However, Reynolds and Patton agreed the organization hopes for more student involvement at the next Alterations Day event, which will be held next semester before the annual spring fashion show.
"We would love to have more student involvement from customers from all parts of campus, as well as student involvement within the College of Human Sciences," Reynolds said. "We want to get bigger and bigger every year. Since we are a new organization, we're trying to build on that."
The proceeds for Alterations Day will trickle through the annual spring fashion show in order to build funding for the organization and ultimately provide a Peer Giving Scholarship for a student within the Department of Consumer and Design Sciences.
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