| Clothing acts as an extension of the body. Poor fit in ready-to-wear has been correlated with lowered body esteem in women. The objective of the study was to determine if active participation in apparel design improved fit satisfaction, body cathexis, and creativity in a convenience sample of 16 adult women. Quantitative analysis used pretest posttest design and dependent t-tests to measure three dependent variables: fit satisfaction, body cathexis, and creativity. The independent variable was time the sample participated in apparel design curriculum. Qualitative analysis used open-ended questionnaire to evaluate the curriculum and instructional process. Quantitative results demonstrated: (a) a significant increase in total and individual mean fit satisfaction, (b) a significant increase in abdomen and buttocks body cathexis, and (c) no significant increase in total mean creativity. Qualitative evaluation offered encouragement for apparel design education to improve fit satisfaction, body cathexis, and provide creative self-expression through the medium of apparel design. |
