'Project Runway' class teaches clothing basics - with a twist

The black pair of pants were in Tishay Steele's closet for some time.

“I've had them for a while,” Steele, 16, said.

The West High School junior didn't care for them, so she brought them to school. Some tracing and snips with scissors later, the pants were on their way to being reconstructed into a doll's dress.

Steele is one of about 50 students enrolled in Project Runway - West High Style. The new family and consumer science class teaches students how to make their own clothing.

“We weren't offering anything in clothing construction, but I knew if I called the class that, no one would sign up,” instructor Rhonda Halvorsen said.

So she designed to class to emulate the popular reality TV show, challenging the students to create original designs while learning basic sewing techniques.

The first assignment? Create a dress for an 18-inch doll.

Halvorsen provided the basic pattern, but students made their own decisions regarding length, layers and adornments.

There was a catch. The students had to provide their own fabric - and the fabric had to be free or nearly free.

“I'm encouraging using interesting fabric from clothing headed to Goodwill, fabric stored in closets or donated fabric in my classroom,” Halvorsen said. “Students have brought in fun material from their old shirts, dresses and even a curtain and tablecloth to cut up.”

Some of the students have sewn before, others haven't, but the difference in experience hasn't stalled the classes. Working alone or in teams, the student are learning by doing.

“I always had a curiosity about sewing,” Senior Erin Richmond, 17, said.

The curiosity hasn't transpired into natural ability, but Richmond said she's having fun.

“I'm still figuring things out,” she admitted with a grin.

Freshman Hannah Muellerleile, 15, enjoys the hands-on experience.

“It's kind of a break in the day, a time when I get to actively do something,” she said.

Tamara Williams, 15, said the class is just like “Project Runway” - on a smaller scale.

“We basically do the same thing,” the freshman said. “I like that I can show my creativity.”

Many fashion-conscious students signed up for the class, eager to learn skills that could possible help them expand their wardrobes.

“I would like to learn how to do the big stuff, like make my own clothes and things like that,” Junior Daquona McGee, 16, said.

Halvorsen has more challenges in mind for her students after winter break, although she hasn't decided which one she'll assign next. Some possibilities include embellishing a plain T-shirt or having students transform one piece of clothing they don't wear into something they will wear.

Again, the students will be expected to spend as little money as possible.

“It's more fun that way,” Halvorsen said.