Extension Activity

School of Design

Department of Fashion & Textiles

Report on Extension Activity’ 2025

The Department of Fashion and Textiles organized an extension activity at Ashray Care Home, Jaipur, to provide students of varied age groups with hands-on learning in surface embellishment techniques on bags and fabrics. The activity aimed to impart practical skills in crafting potli bags and embellishing them with embroidery techniques. It also sought to foster creativity, teamwork, and a deeper understanding of textile arts among the participants.

Aashray Care Home is a non-profit organization located in Jaipur, Rajasthan, dedicated to providing care and support for children affected by HIV/AIDS. Founded in 2006 by the Positive Women Network of Rajasthan, it serves as a sanctuary for approximately 137 children aged 3 to 18 years.

Objectives

The primary objectives of the extension activity were as follows:

1. To equip participants with practical skills in cutting, stitching, and surface embellishment with basic embroidery stitches.
2. To encourage participants to express their creativity through design choices in creating potli bags, thereby fostering innovative thinking.

3. To promote teamwork by having students work in groups, facilitating peer learning and collaboration on projects.

4. To provide participants with an understanding of traditional and contemporary craft techniques in textile arts, enhancing their appreciation for the field.

Activity Details

The event began with an introductory session where the volunteers explained the concept of surface embellishment. This session included a discussion about its significance in fashion design and its applications in enhancing the aesthetic appeal of fabrics and accessories.
Volunteers demonstrated the process of cutting and stitching potli bags. They provided step-by-step instructions to ensure that participants understood the basics of bag construction. Following this, they introduced various embroidery techniques for embellishing the bags, including: Basic stitches (e.g., running stitch, chain stitch)

Decorative stitches (e.g., satin stitch, French knots)

To ensure effective learning and collaboration, participants were divided into smaller groups based on their age and skill levels. Each group was assigned a specific product to work on under the guidance of volunteers. 

Younger children (ages 5–10) focused on simpler tasks like embellishing the bags by stone, sequins and mirror.

Older participants (ages 11–18) worked on more complex tasks such as cutting fabric patterns, stitching potli bags from scratch, and applying intricate embroidery designs.

Participants actively engaged in creating potli bags from start to finish. Volunteers worked closely with each group to demonstrate techniques and provide personalized guidance throughout the process. The collaborative environment encouraged peer learning and boosted confidence among the participants.

At the end of the activity, each group presented their finished products. The showcase highlighted the creativity and effort put in by the participants, with unique designs and embellishments reflecting their individual styles.

Learning Outcomes

The extension activity yielded several significant learning outcomes for the participants:

1.Participants acquired essential skills in cutting, stitching, and surface embellishment techniques. These skills are foundational for anyone interested textile arts as a hobby or career.

2. The activity encouraged students to experiment with colors, patterns, and textures while designing their potli bags. This enhanced their ability to think creatively and translate ideas into tangible products.

3. By working in groups, participants learned how to collaborate effectively, share responsibilities, and support one another in achieving common goals.

4. Participants gained insight into basic embroidery stitches.

The activity proved to be both educational and enjoyable for the students as the younger participants developed fine motor skills through basic stitching tasks while the

older participants gained advanced knowledge of textile design techniques that could serve as a stepping stone for future endeavors in fashion or design-related fields.

Conclusion

This extension activity was a resounding success in achieving its objectives of skill development, creativity enhancement, teamwork promotion, and fostering an appreciation for textile arts among students aged 5 to 18 years. The collaboration between volunteers and participants created an enriching learning environment that benefitted all involved.

Such initiatives not only contribute to personal growth but also help bridge gaps between academic knowledge and practical application in creative fields like fashion design.

Dr. Sulekha Ojha Dr. Sunetra Datt
Head, Department of Fashion & Textiles Ms. Harshita Bhown

Faculty Coordinator

School of Design

Department of Fashion & Textiles

Extension Activity’ 2025

List of Volunteers