Source: SOUTHERN UNIV submitted to NRP
ENHANCING THE HANDS-ON QUILTING EXPERIENCE USING THE EXISTING QUILT LABORATORY
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
ACTIVE
Funding Source
OTHER GRANTS
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
1030351
Grant No.
2023-38821-39971
Cumulative Award Amt.
$149,997.00
Proposal No.
2022-10108
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Apr 15, 2023
Project End Date
Apr 14, 2026
Grant Year
2023
Program Code
[EP]- Teaching Project
Recipient Organization
SOUTHERN UNIV
(N/A)
BATON ROUGE,LA 70813
Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
The main goal of this proposal is to utilize the currently existing cutting-edge technology in theQuilt Laboratory to its maximum potential so that the Apparel Merchandising and Textiles(AMTX) program at Southern University (SUBR) promotes the value of quilting. The specificobjectives are: (1) to teach SU students quilt design and sewing skills by using existing cuttingedgeLongarm Quilt Sewing Machine, fully equipped with a processor allowing for designingand automatic sewing, and its respective electronic counterparts; (2) to provide learningopportunities of quilting skills for Louisiana local communities including high school studentsand non-traditional students through camps; (3) to eventually establish several activities andextravaganzas that provides the opportunity to exhibit produced quilting, which will act as astepping stone to allow the AMTX program to be a hub for quilting in Louisiana. Even more, thehands-on practical skills gained from using Longarm Quilt Sewing Machine will encourageAMTX students to start small businesses in their Louisiana hometowns and elsewhere, diffusingthe value and knowledge of quilting.
Animal Health Component
20%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
25%
Applied
20%
Developmental
55%
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
80451993020100%
Knowledge Area
804 - Human Environmental Issues Concerning Apparel, Textiles, and Residential and Commercial Structures;

Subject Of Investigation
5199 - Clothing and textiles, general;

Field Of Science
3020 - Education;
Goals / Objectives
The overall objective is to create a high quality-learning environment for quilting. This is achieved by utilizing the already existing equipment in the Quilt Laboratory to its full potential. The specific objectives are:1.To teach SU students quilt design and sewing skills by using existing cutting-edge Longarm Quilt Sewing Machine, fully equipped with a processor allowing for designing and automatic sewing, and its respective electronic counterparts2.To provide learning opportunities of quilting skills for Louisiana local communities including high school students and non-traditional students through community service projects3.To eventually establish several activities, extravaganzas, businesses, partnerships and specialized quilting communities, that providethe opportunity to exhibit one's quilting knowledge, which will act as a stepping stone to allow the AMTX program to be a central hub for quilting in Louisiana
Project Methods
Objective 1: To establish high quality education for undergraduate students in Southern University. PD, Dr. Seo, will introduce and take responsibility of four apparel production courses that integrates several quilting knowledge. The first course will introduce foundational quilting knowledge; meanwhile, the second course integrate the foundational knowledge learned from the first course to create advanced quilting products. The last two quilting courses are independent learning courses where students have the opportunity to implement their quilting knowledge into the real world (related to objective 2). PD will advertise this course through the Family and Consumer Science Department Bulletin board, online platforms such as Moodle, websites of Agricultural Research and Extension Center and Southern University, social media platforms such as Instagram and Facebook, and word of mouth. Students will have to have to request to register this course since there is a prerequisite course required (which is to pass the Apparel Production and Analysis course). Students who fulfill these prerequisites will have the ability to sign up, and the PD will choose 15 students to attend each course. All courses will be a given a letter grade and goals as followed:Evaluation Scale: A = 90%-100%, B = 80%-89%, C = 70%-79%, D = 60%-69%, F = 50% and below.Objective 2: To providequality education for high school students mainly through free summer camps which will greatly enhance Southern University's institutional capacity. Quilt students of Southern University who want to achieve the certification stated in objective 1 will have to intern in these summer camps as a helper to the teachers. These interns will help create small activities with the teachers and will also be paid for their service through a stipend. By the end of the camp, these interns will integrate all their quilting knowledge and gain valuable teaching leadership skills while also being graded by the PD's rubric for credit. The intern to camper ratio would be 1 to 4 in order to ensure that the campers' questions, concerns, and safety are addressed. Additionally, the PD will also hire one qualified teacher for these summer camps, which they have complete an application and interview. This teacher will provide lesson plans for the camp and teach important quilting topics to the camping participants. The most important part of this camp is for young students, specifically high school students, to be exposed to the quilting field, which will greatly enhance Southern University's teaching capacity. As for making the summer camp possible, Co-PD will advertise these camps through social media platforms, such as Instagram and Facebook, as well as the Family and Agricultural Research Center's website.Objective 3:Toprovide several quilting opportunities such as extravaganza, exhibition, and quilting competitions for Southern University students. Southern University students will create intricate piece using the Quilt Laboratory.In order to make this possible, the PD and Co-PD will first establish an exhibition room. This could be renting the Raising Cane's River Center Exhibition Halls, borrowing Southern University's Student Union, or using the Southern University Agriculture Research Center's conference room. They will also send out flyers to gain audiences as well as make applications for student who want to participate in the exhibition.Southern University students will have the opportunity to showcase and sell their product through pop-stores through the Southern Niche as well as during exhibitions. This experience is important whenever students want to pursue a small business in quilting.Of course, by establishing Southern University and its Quilt Laboratory as the central hub for quilting, several businesses, farmer and research partnerships, and specialized quilting societies can take place, which will ultimately enhance Southern University's teaching capacity.

Progress 04/15/24 to 04/14/25

Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience for this project includes Southern University (SU) students, middle and high school students, and Baton Rouge residents. In Summer 2024, the project focused on students in grades 8 through 12, primarily from low-income families, through the "2024 Quilt Design Summer Camp." During the Fall 2024 semester, the primary target audience was SU students majoring in Apparel Merchandising and Textiles (AMTX). The secondary target audience included Baton Rouge residents interested in learning sewing and quilting. Additionally, the PD introduced the "Quilt Class" and "Sewing Course" to incoming Southern University and A&M College (SUBR) freshmen students and high school seniors during the 2024 Beginning Agricultural Youth Opportunities Unlimited (BAYOU) program in June 2024. As part of the program, BAYOU students engaged in hands-on experiences and created a small quilt project. This project has been offering a sewing course at the Quilt Lab on the SU campus continuously from Spring 2024 to the present. The course is open to all SU students, faculty, staff, homeschool students, and Baton Rouge residents of all ages, who form the primary audience for these classes. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?This project has provided middle school, high school, SUBR students, and Baton Rouge residents with the opportunity to learn how to create quilt projects, as well as to utilize sewing and embroidery machines. These students were able to create quilt projects using old clothing and scrap fabrics. Additionally, students learned how fabric materials can be transformed into valuable products and how they can contribute to saving the Earth by reusing wasted fabrics and old clothing. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The 'Quilt Design Summer Camp Award Ceremony' was held on the last day of the camp. All participants' family members, as well as SU faculty, staff and camp volunteers, were invited to the event. All quilt camp students presented their creations and shared what they had learned during the camp.Flyers for the camp were distributed through the AG Research Center's social media platforms, including Facebook and Instagram. Additionally, the details for 'Quilt Design Summer Camp Award Ceremony' were shared email with the college community and the families of the camp students. Each participant, staff member, and volunteer received the Quilt Camp Yearbook from the PD, Dr. Jung-Im Seo. The '2024 Quilt Extravaganza' was held in the lobby of P.E. Thrift Hall on the SUBR Campus from December 3 to December 10, 2024. The event was open to all SU faculty, staff, students, and Baton Rouge residents. Flyers for the '2024 Quilt Extravaganza' was distributed via the AG Research Center's social media platforms, including Facebook and Instagram, as well as through university email. Each AMTX student who enrolled in the Quilt Production class received a small booklet, including their projects, photos of their work, and their reflections on the class, which was distributed by the PD. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?The PD, Dr. Jung-Im Seo, and the Quilt Lab Manager, Brenda Harris, continuously offer the 'Sewing Course' to SU students, staff, and Baton Rouge residents twice a week at the Quilt Lab on the SUBR Campus. Students who wish to learn quilting and sewing can register for the 'Sewing Course' at any time. The PD and Ms. Harris are planning a two-week '2025 Quilt Design Summer Camp' for June 2025. Additionally, the PD will teach the Quilting Production class for AMTX students in Fall 2025 and plans to host a quilt extravaganza at the end of the semester. If possible, the PD will also offer a 'Quilt Seminar' for AMTX students to explore quilt history, techniques, and the artistry behind it.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? The PD and the Quilt Lab Manager, Brenda Harris, successfully organized the "2024 Quilt Design Summer Camp" for middle and high school students. During the camp, each student successfully created various sewing and quilting products, including needle case, pincushion, small pouch, house ornament, cushion cover, and hotpot holder. They also received instruction in the use of both sewing and embroidery machines. On the final day, the Propel Center, which is the first innovation hub built for the future of HBCUs, awarded sewing machines to the three quilt winners during the award ceremony. The PD and the Quilt Lab Manager have been offering 'Sewing Course' for Baton Rouge residents and SU students at the Quilt Lab in P. E. Thrift Hall from spring 2024 to the present. Participants in the 'Sewing Course' are working on quilt projects of various sizes. The course provides instruction and access to a range of sewing machines, including advanced of long-arm quilt sewing machine and embroidery machines. The PD taught the Quilt Production class during fall 2024. Throughout the semester, students created five quilt projects: an apron, table runner, cushion cover, two table mats, and a hotpot holder. The students also learned to use embroidery sewing machines. While working on their quilt projects, they were required to apply their knowledge of color theory, geometry, and mathematical skills.

Publications

  • Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: Jung-Im Seo (2024). Online Grocery Shopping Intention after the COVID-19 Pandemic International Journal of Business and Management. 19 (6), 1-12.


Progress 04/15/23 to 04/14/24

Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience for this project extends beyond Southern University (SU) students. In Summer 2023, the project targeted grades 8 through 12, primarily from low-income families, for the "Quilt Design Summer Camp." During the Fall 2023 semester, the main target audience of the project was SU students majoring in Apparel Merchandising and Textiles (AMTX). This project offers two sewing courses: one at the SU campus and another at the Jewel J. Newman Community Center in Baton Rouge, LA, during the Spring 2024 semester. The SU campus course is open to all SU students and Baton Rouge residents of all ages, while the course at the Jewel J. Newman Community Center specifically targets senior residents over the age of 60 in Baton Rouge, LA. Changes/Problems:Following Dr. Tiffany Franklin's transfer to another position, Dr. Gillian David Sims has joined this project as the role of Co-PD. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Middle and high school students learned how to use sewing machines and embroidery machines and created their own quilt projects during the "Quilt Design Summer Camp." These students have the opportunity to continue practicing their skills at home by making quilt productions. Additionally, Southern University (SU) students enrolled in the 'Quilt Production' class are equipped with the knowledge to create quilt productions. Some students have even explored the possibility of producing more quilt products for sale and business ventures. To further spread quilting and sewing skills, this project offers two sewing courses: one located on the SU campus and the other at the Jewel J. Newman Community Center. As a result, many residents of Baton Rouge, LA, have had the opportunity to learn these valuable skills. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The project director (PD), Dr. Jung-Im Seo, hosted the "Quilt Design Summer Camp Award Ceremony" on the final day of the camp. The PD extended invitations to all participants' family members, SU faculty, and staff. During the ceremony, the PD distributed yearbooks to all participants, volunteers, and supporters. Additionally, the project showcased the students' work and the quilting process to the audience through PowerPoint presentations. Furthermore, the PD organized the "Quilt Extravaganzas" at the lobby of P. E. Thrift Hall at SU from November 29, 2023, to December 6, 2023. Invitations were sent to all SU faculty, staff, and students via email and the Ag. Center's social media platforms, including Facebook. During the event, the PD distributed the 'Quilt Production' pamphlet to the attendees. Additionally, students enrolled in the quilt design class had the opportunity to showcase their projects. They explained the theme, main color, and purpose of their projects to the audience. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?The project director (PD) hired Brenda Harris as the quilt lab manager to oversee operations and coordinate sewing courses. Brenda Harris is currently working with SU students, Baton Rouge residents, and seniors to teach sewing and quilting skills at both the Jewel J. Newman Community Center in Baton Rouge, LA, and the SU campus. The PD and Ms. Harris are actively planning the "Quilt Design Summer Camp 2024" and intend to offer quilting classes during both the fall and summer semesters of 2024 for Baton Rouge community. Additionally, the PD plans to attend a design exhibition in Baton Rouge, LA, to showcase our quilt projects, if possible.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? In the summer of 2023, the project director (PD), Dr. Jung-Im Seo, organized the "Quilt Design Summer Camp" for middle and high school students. During this camp, students learned to create various quilting products such as cushion covers, table runners, and hotpot holders. They also received instructions on using embroidery sewing machines. The PD and Quilt Lab Manager, Brenda Harris, reached out to COX Communications Inc. for support with five Dell Chromebooks, while Dr. Harold I. Mellieon, Department Chair of Animal Science in the College of Agriculture Family and Consumer Sciences, provided three Lenovo Chromebooks for the "Quilt Design Summer Camp." During the fall of 2023, the PD focused on teaching quilt design, sewing skills, and embroidery technology to SU students interested in learning quilting skills. At the end of semester, the Quilt Production class hosted a "Quilt Extravaganzas" event to showcase the students' quilt projects, which included bathroom rug, table runner, baby blanket, cushion covers, and hotpot holders, to all SU students, faculties, and staff. Currently, the PD and the Quilt Lab Manager, Brenda Harris, are offering sewing courses for Baton Rouge residents and SU students at the P. E. Thrift Hall. As part of these courses, participants are instructed on threading the sewing machine, using the sewing machine, and creating quilt projects. We are also reaching out to the senior center to organize another 'sewing course' specifically designed for seniors over 60 years old.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: Jung-Im Seo (2024). An Empirical Investigation of Online Grocery Shopping Behaviors Based on Different Generations. International Journal of Business and Management, 19 (1), 185-196.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Jung-Im Seo (2023). Psychological Impacts on Clothing Satisfaction: A Study of Ready-to-Wear Fit Preferences. 2023 Joint Annual Conference of Southern University and LSU Ag Centers, the SU College of Agricultural, Human Environmental Sciences and the LSU College of Agriculture (Louisiana State University, LA: December 13-14, 2023).
  • Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2023 Citation: Jung-Im Seo (2023).Quilt Extravaganza from November 29  December 6, 2023, at the P.E. Thrift Hal Lobby at Southern University and A & M College.