Peabody teens partake in fashion frenzy

PEABODY – While many young adults spend their summers playing in their neighborhood or catching up on daytime television, several Peabody teens are taking a spin at fashion.Through an alternative program offered at the Peabody Institute Library, a group of about a dozen children from grades 6-12 are designing, pinning, snipping, and stitching their very own outfits. Local costumer and hat maker Karen King is there to offer ideas and lend a helping hand.”This is our second year,” said the Gloucester native. “It’s geared towards all kids, some of whom have sewing experience and some of whom have none.”During the class, students use old clothing and fabric, such as t-shirts, jeans and curtains, and turn them into something wearable and entirely different either by hand or with a sewing machine.”It’s the great combination of interest, focus and enjoying themselves,” said King.Eleven-year-old Hannah Gilbert transformed her jeans into a short skirt and added fabric to an old top to create a layered look.”I wear stuff like that, so that’s why I thought of it,” said the soon-to-be Higgins Middle School sixth-grader. She explained that she simply cut off the bottom of her jeans, sewed the sides together, and added an elastic waistband and some pockets. “It’s not that hard.”Madeleine Caputo, 13, who participated in the program last year, recently discovered what it’s like when things don’t go as planned.”I was working on a dress,” she began. “But, I have a 9-year-old brother.”Caputo said her younger brother got a bit jealous of her progress and cut up her white, lace-covered dress with a pair of fabric scissors to the point of no repair. And, she added, “He didn’t get in trouble.”But the slight mishap didn’t stop her creative juices from flowing. She quickly came up with the idea of using an orange, stretchy fabric to create a form-fitting strapless dress.This was the first try at sewing for 14-year-old Anna Campbell. She decided to take a different route and turned her old t-shirts into a trendy shoulder bag with a matching coin purse.”I really admire the kids for getting in here once a week,” said King, who is thrilled with their progress. “They’re all pretty darn focused, plus they’re having fun.”At the end of the course, the fashionistas will display their creations in a Project Runway-style fashion show. The designers will model their own pieces, complete with professional hair and make-up, while a panel of judges vote on the winning design.”I really, really loved it last year,” said Caputo, who’s looking forward to this year’s show and hopes to be a model someday.The fashion show will be a first for Gilbert, and although she’s excited, she’d rather be behind the curtain.”I want to be a world famous fashion designer,” she said.The course continues through the end of August and drop-ins are more than welcome to join. For more information, contact the library at 978-531-0100.