By Paul Schattenberg

Registration is open for the weekend 4-H ReFashion Retreat to be held Jan. 25-27 at the Texas 4-H Conference Center, 5600 Farm-to-Market Road 3021 near Brownwood, said program coordinator.

The retreat is open to all 4-H members and their adult chaperones.

Activities include hands-on instruction and educational sessions conducted by members of the Texas 4-H Clothing and Textiles advisory board as well as AgriLife Extension agents and specialists, said Cari Snider, 4-H youth development program coordinator, Brownwood.

“Participants engage in hands-on skills assessment, followed by workshops aimed at increasing knowledge and developing skills for refashioning garments and for shopping for clothing on a very limited budget,” Snider said.

The program will include clothing and textiles sewing basics, along with rotational sessions on hand stitching, sewing a line, ironing and pressing, and advanced sewing techniques.

Attendees will be taken to Good Samaritan Ministries in Brownwood where they will shop for “refashioning” project items, then return to the center to work on their project.

“Youth will purchase what they need for their refashioning project at the thrift store and refurbish and integrate those items into their own unique fashion design,” Snider said.

Additional program activities will include knowledge and skills application, Pick-a-Project sessions on bulletin board art, string art and making a lamp, and sessions on modeling.

There will be a refashion fashion show and wrap-up starting at 9 a.m. Feb 11, with the program to conclude at 11 a.m.

“Participant groups will discuss their craftsmanship techniques during the style show,” Snider said.

Each youth member must be accompanied by an adult. All adults must enroll as a 4-H volunteer, have a verified background check and complete child protection training in 4-H Connect before attending the retreat.

The cost for the retreat is $140 for youth and $90 for adults registering up to Jan. 13. An additional 10 percent will be added for late registration. Cost 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.

The retreat is a state-level development program focused on increasing knowledge and skills as part of a full weekend of fun and interesting activities,” Snider said.

“Teams work to create a new product using only their design and sewing construction skills along with their knowledge of textiles and entrepreneurship skills to design and market their newly created items,” she said.