Girls, working alone or with their troop, can research fashions from three eras that are about 20 years apart. Check the fashion picture collection at a museum, online or in fashion magazines. Sketch your findings and display your drawings on a poster or in a booklet. Discuss what you like and dislike from the different time periods.
Fabric designs or patterns can be made by batik, tie-dying, silk-screening or embroidery. You can use one of these methods to create a pattern on a piece of fabric, a T-shirt or an apron. Tie-dying is a particularly popular way to make one-of-a-kind art to wear. Show off your patterned item in a troop fashion show or wear it for a special occasion.
Girls can make a friendship bracelet or an accessory for a friend, such as a vest, belt or scarf, using a technique that they have learned from the troop leader or another adult, such as sewing, knitting, crocheting or embroidering. A friendship bracelet is easy to make; the technique is simple and repetitive. The project only requires two skeins of embroidery floss and a decorative button.
With the troop leader's or another adult's help, girls can make an item of clothing or alter one they already own. The girls can invite their friends and family to a fashion show where troop members show off their creations. Consider giving the show a theme such as "Groovy '70s," "Girl Scouts Dress Globally" or "Back to School."
Girls can make a new wardrobe for their dolls. Design capes, dresses, pants or other fashion components for one or two dolls. Even inexperienced sewers can make doll dresses by transforming unmatched baby socks into knit frocks. Girls simply need to cut the sock at the toe, fit the heel over the doll's derriere, and then carefully cut out arm holes in the correct place. Sew sequins onto the frayed hem to decorate the dress.
A Junior Girl Scout troop can examine what careers or hobbies in fashion might interest the girls. Invite shop owners, designers or art students to a meeting to talk about their careers. The troop can also plan a field trip to a flea market or craft show to talk to people who display their art to wear.