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Coats & Clark challenges design students to “Make It Work” in Project Runway type design experiment

In a flurry of fabrics, threads, zippers and yarns, 22 students from Kent State University’s Shannon Rodgers and Jerry Silverman School of Fashion Design and Merchandising spent 20 hours recently conceptualizing and creating garments using a collection of products provided by textile and thread manufacturer Coats & Clark, vying for a plethora of prizes including scholarship money.

Dubbed the Rockwell/Coats & Clark Experience, the competition was designed to provide students with an educational opportunity and exposure to different products from Coats & Clark and affiliate companies: Red Heart® yarns, Rowan yarns plus Westminster and FreeSpirit Fabrics. It also introduced them to career opportunities in the textile, needlecraft and sewing industries.

“The faculty was thrilled that this ‘experiment’ brought to these students the opportunity to be challenged and to be creative without the pressure of a grade,” said Nancy Jewell, manager of new business development, sewings, for the company and a Kent State alumna.

The 22 students worked vigorously for a first place prize of $1,500 from Coats & Clark. Runners-up received a Baby Lock Sophia sewing and embroidery machine, Singer® Confidence 7470 sewing machine, Singer® CG754 serger, Electric Quilt 6 design software, the opportunity to create a pattern for BurdaStyle.com, free membership to Rowan International and gifts from Amy Butler Designs, Heather Bailey, CK Media, Interweave Press, Bernina and C & T Publishing.

Coats & Clark provided students with threads, zippers, yarns and cotton fabrics to complete the challenge. The judges selected the top 11 designs based on craftsmanship, uniqueness and how well the students incorporated the two opposing prints given to them as well as yarn.  Judging were school faculty Betsy Carr, Jeanne James as well as Jewell and Jessica Paulson.

First place scholarship winner was Kristy Howard, a junior fashion design major, whose pin tuck pleated sun dress included fabric she made by pin weaving yarn, crocheted matching trim, quilting and chenille details.

“I was down to the last minute with my design. I wanted to do a more muted palette and use different textures,” said Howard whose inspiration was quilting.

Carolyn Peters, a senior, won the Baby Lock Sophia sewing and embroidery machine with a “girlie with an edge” Capri and halter top outfit featuring beautiful top stitching details and a crocheted wallet chain.

The third place winner was sophomore design student Theresa Rietschlin who will design a pattern for Burda Style, an open source sewing community Web site. She meticulously hand-stitched looped yarn all over the bodice of her dress, carrying the detail through to the hemline.

“It’s great that I get to work with actual people in the business and get my ideas out there,” said Rietschlin about this career-building opportunity.

Coats & Clark is part of the world’s largest textile/thread manufacturing company with products sold in more than 150 countries for industrial and home use.

In 1983, fashion luminaries Jerry Silverman and Shannon Rodgers gifted Kent State University their extensive collection of fashions from the Jerry Silverman Line of women’s clothing, and personal collection of historic and international costumes, decorative arts, paintings and furnishings. This gift launched the Kent State University Museum that opened in 1985.

Today, the Kent State University Museum holds one of the finest and largest collections of costume in the United States. The 1983 gift also created a prestigious School of Fashion Design and Merchandising at Kent State that bears their names.

Reprinted from SQE Professional, April 2009