Feed sack fashions in South Louisiana, 1949-1968: the use of commodity bags in garment construction

In the first part of this study, 37 commodity bag garments made and worn by one woman in rural South Louisiana between the years 1949-1968 were analyzed. The garments are currently in the collection of the Louisiana State University Textile and Costume Museum. A material culture study model, originally developed by Fleming and adapted from Severa and Horswill, was used to identify, evaluate, culturally analyze and interpret the design, construction, and fabric characteristics of garments. Access to this collection provided a rare opportunity to examine the attributes of a related group of commodity bag garments. In the second part of this study, characteristics of women\u27s daywear commodity bag garments were compared with characteristics of prevalent ready-to-wear women\u27s daywear fashions depicted in a national magazine targeted to women of middle socio-economic status. Fashion sections in 120 issues of Good Housekeeping magazine were analyzed using historical analysis methodology. The commodity bag garments were made to be worn for work on the farm where the seamstress lived and for informal social occasions. The designs were fashionable and creative and the construction was efficient and durable. Fabric, colors, and prints were consistent with those available nationally. The cotton commodity bag fabric used was also comfortable and long wearing, ideal for the temperature and humidity of the South Louisiana climate. The commodity bag garments were similar in design, construction, and fabric characteristics to fashions that appeared in Good Housekeeping magazine between the years 1949 and 1968. This finding indicated that although the commodity bag garments were primarily made for work in a rural setting, they had many of the same fashion features as mass produced garments that could be purchased in department stores nationwide

Outcomes of Implementing Zero-Waste Pattern Cutting in Fashion Design Courses

Along with increasing students’ awareness of environmental problems and social issues in the fashion industry, introducing sustainable practices into selected fashion merchandising and design courses has been explored by a number of studies. However, there are few studies which have explored ways in which sustainability practices have been implemented in product development and pattern making courses. Literature about how zero-waste pattern cutting (ZWPC) has been implemented in these types of courses is exceptionally rare. Therefore, the purpose of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of incorporating the ZWPC concept in two levels of existing design courses in an effort to increase students’ awareness of sustainable fashion design practices. To realize this purpose, the project based learning (PjBL) approach was employed as a framework, as previous studies suggested that PjBL is an effective tool for teaching sustainability concept to existing courses. Though this project is related to a design specific pattern cutting project, students’ awareness of sustainable fashion and lifestyle overall increased after completing the project(s). While students’ level of skills demonstrated little significant change, students’ exposure to the topic influenced their sustainability practices (or interest) which supports why projects like this should be developed and evaluated

Object-Based Learning in a World Dress Course

Object-based learning (OBL) is an active-learning teaching approach that uses artifacts as teaching tools in the classroom. The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of an OBL assignment in teaching students about unfamiliar items of dress. Students were enrolled in a world dress general education course at a university in the Midwest United States. Researchers analyzed student responses from one OBL assignment to examine its effectiveness in teaching students about a item of dress from Uzbekistan. Students in general appreciated the use of OBL as they gained additional knowledge about the object, from gaining new insights into fabrics to interest in seeing the object\u27s details, different perspective views, and construction methods. Findings concluded that OBL was an effective tool for this course. Based on this analysis, the OBL assignment will continue to be used as a teaching tool in the course

Artifacts Improve Learning in a Fashion History Course

The purpose of this study was to identify how students perceived their interaction with historic items of dress influenced their learning in a 20th century fashion history course. Students in this study were enrolled in a 20th century fashion history course at a university in the Midwest United States. At the end of the semester, students wrote a reflection focused on how their interaction with artifacts throughout the semester influenced their learning. Researchers received informed consent from 30 of 36 students enrolled to qualitatively analyze their reflection responses for the present study. Three themes emerged from student responses about their experience with artifacts: 1) positive influence on learning, 2) deeper understanding of course content, and 3) appreciation for artifact details. Student reflections supported the assertion that artifacts improve learning. Based on student feedback, the OBL assignment will continue to be a required assignment in the course

Challenges and Benefits of Made in the USA Manufacturing: A Study of Small Business Owners

Investigating current companies and entrepreneurs who practice United States-based manufacturing and/or production is an area of study that can provide direction for future market growth. The purpose of this study is to investigate the manufacturers who produce their products through US production. This study targeted the owners of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) and employed Brush\u27s (1992) integrative model to explore the SME owners. Challenges and benefits experienced by a small sample of producers within the Made in the USA apparel sector were identified. Through domestic production, study respondents could have close oversight and strong relationships with supply chain participants, which may result in a more responsibly produced product. Production based in the US can also support smaller production runs, a more sustainable option for newer apparel brands and those that target a smaller market

Who Read Socially Responsible Apparel Labels

Socially responsible (SR) labeling has been developed to encourage consumers to make SR purchases based on ecological attributes of products and additional SR information listed on labels (D’Souza, 2004). Previous research studied the efficacy of SR labels and revealed that SR labels influenced consumers’ purchasing decisions (Dickson, 2001; D’Souza et al., 2007). Despite the fact that SR issues in the apparel industry are significant considerations, practicing conscientious apparel consumption can be challenging for fashion consumers when surrounded by fast fashion and the desire for the latest fashion styles

Acceptance of a Socially Responsible Label Model for Apparel Products: Application of the Technology Acceptance Model

With a growing group of environmentally and socially conscious consumers, the range of socially responsible (SR) products available in the market has likewise expanded (Marquardt, 2010); currently over 300 different SR labels are being used (Case, 2009). Because such diverse labels exist, consumers have been struggling with identifying information on the label to make an informed, SR purchase decision (D’Souza, 2004; Horne, 2009). In particular, due to the complicated nature of SR practices in apparel products, consumers feel difficulties in identifying SR apparel products and practices in the marketplace (Chen & Burns, 2006; Goswami, 2008)

The Implementation of Lean Production and Environmental Sustainability Practices in the Indian Apparel Manufacturing Industry

In response to global environmental issues and stiffer business competition, the last few decades have witnessed a tremendous increase in the awareness of environmental impact and the usage of production management systems such as lean production. A focus on reducing adverse impact on the environment has promoted the use of sustainable business practices. Sustainability, which promotes harmonious coexistence of the human race and nature, allows for development without unintended negative consequences on the environment and natural resources (EPA, 2012)