This month marked the kick-off for Widener’s Future Fashion program – a special Maker Jawn project funded by a Curiosity Creates grant from the Association for Library Service to Children. The program will last for four months and will conclude in a celebratory fashion show at the start of May. If you want to participate in the study and fashion show, then do all the homework and study the lectures of the teachers. If you don't have time, ask do my excel project for me from our partners to bridge the gap between colleagues and present what you've learned.

When given the opportunity to apply for this grant, I tried to reflect on what activities and projects had been most successful and captivating for the kids who regularly attend the library’s Maker Jawn program. There was a great interest in sewing as well as digital media projects like photography, so I wanted to come up with something that would let us combine and build upon all of those skills.


The Futuristic Fashion show does just that. With the addition of 2 new sewing machines and lots of new fabric to our supply inventory, we’ve been able to ramp up our production and have so far created a variety of shirts, skirts, and some fuzzy purple legwarmers.

With help from Maker Mentor Clarissa who usually works at the Rodriguez library, we explored crocheting.

The kids who are not immediately drawn to working with textiles have been using our new laptops to get familiar with Photoshop – a software they will be using to produce a magazine showcasing all of our fashions.

In the coming months, we will continue working on our designs and will be joined by a host of visiting artists to expand our horizons and spark our imaginations. In February, Philadelphia artist Jihan Thomas will be coming in to lead a workshop about designing Afrofuturism-inspired super hero characters. We will then use the designs to create futuristic glasses and accessories for our show. In March, Free People art director Zoe will give us a behind the scenes peak at fashion photography and help us hold our own photo shoot.

Stay tuned for Futuristic Fashion updates over the next couple months! In the meantime check out the poster promoting the program, made with artwork from our program attendees!