The neighbors had to be wondering what had happened to the tomato plants in my parent’s backyard garden. It was me & my fancy college education. I commandeered it to stake fabric samples. Tomato plants turned to white brocade. I don’t care for tomatoes so I saw this as a huge improvement. My dad was not onboard. However, with me nearing the completion of my college degree & the end of those college payments, he saw the wisdom in the switch.
Textiles II at Baylor required each student to select a fabrication testing the tenacity, burn sensitivity, fading, weathering, sun rotting and much, much more. Most tests could be completed in the school provided lab. Others required an outdoor space I didn’t have at my college apartment. So the garden it was!
Those different sized samples were staked out all semester long being sun-baked, rained on, scorched, frozen & watered. And I learned that cotton brocade is a very resilient fabrication….expensive, but resilient. I also learned a great deal more that might seem boring to most but was fascinating to me & my classmates.
Some questioned why I would attend Baylor University in Waco of all places for my Fashion Merchandising degree. Why I wouldn’t choose North Texas with their extensive fashion inventory & leader amongst state schools for fashion or even FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology) the real powerhouse of the fashion education world. I had several reasons that were not fashion focused but knew that when it came to curriculum, Baylor would challenge me not only in fashion, but business, math, languages, sciences, strengthen my Christian faith & have great football games – and that was before the new stadium!
Baylor’s Fashion program continually receives award, accolades & acknowledgement for their rigorous program. The most recent accolade names Baylor as Top Private School for Fashion Merchandising & #3 in the Region.
I always knew my Baylor education would be extensive giving me knowledge I need to help clients select & care for their wardrobe fashions. It’s certainly nice to know others agree. Sic’EM!
