Students from the Fashion Education Study Program (Program Studi Pendidikan Tata Busana) of the Faculty of Engineering at Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta (UNY) actively participated in the Pra-Konaspi XII event by providing on-site clothing alteration services for participants’ batik shirts, t-shirts, and pants.

The activity was attended by more than 50 delegates from 12 state teacher training institutions (LPTK) across Indonesia.

The students were directly involved in the alteration process, including measuring, adjusting patterns, and finishing the garments. Alterations were performed at the event location so participants could immediately try on the adjusted clothes before using them in subsequent activities.

One Fashion Education student, Endah Nurviana Sari, explained that participating in this activity was a different learning experience, as they worked directly with clients from diverse backgrounds. She said that normally they practice in a lab with standard sizes, but at the event they had to work quickly, neatly, and ensure comfort since the clothes would be worn by participants.

Another student, Nila Anggraini Mafiya, added that the biggest challenge was managing time and maintaining precision with a large number of participants. However, she said the experience helped improve teamwork and communication skills.

The lecturer supervising the activity, Awwali Ibnu Wardaya, M.Pd, said that faculty involvement was not only in guidance but also in working alongside students in the sewing process. According to him, this was important to give students a real-world work experience, from measuring to finishing.

He explained that the alteration service became an effective contextual learning medium, requiring students to apply technical skills as well as service ethics.

One Pra-Konaspi XII participant expressed surprise and appreciation for the on-site alteration service offered by the Fashion Education program, noting that it was the first time he had seen such a service that allowed participants to immediately wear the adjusted clothing. He praised the idea and said it could be adopted by other institutions.

Through their involvement in Pra-Konaspi XII, the Fashion Education students gained practical experience relevant to workforce needs. They expressed hope that similar activities could continue to be held in other campus events as applicable and ongoing learning opportunities.