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Special thanks to Dr. Fanslow who gave so much of her time during my questionnaire development and impressive editing of my dissertation. Dean Beverly Crabtree also deserves special mention as someone whose opinion and knowledge I have utmost respect and adnndration for and whose mentoring has helped immensely during my graduate education. The International Textile and Apparel Association with support from VF Corporation and Sunbury Textile Mills deserves special thanks for the funding of this and other related projects about the Master's degree in textiles and apparel. A big thank you also goes to the College of Family and Consumer Sciences and the International Textile and Apparel Association for the scholarships and fellowships I received while at Iowa State. I am also deeply indebted to the Department of Textiles and Clothing which provided financial support through a graduate assistantship during my three-year program. My successful graduate career was made possible through the love and support of a number of people. Many fiiends gave me unlimited support during my years in graduate school for which I am truly grateful. My deepest love and thanks to my parents who have always encouraged me to be the best I could be, and gave me the strength of character to accomplish lofty goals. Their constant love, support, and encouragement will always be remembered and cherished. My brothers and sisters have always been there for me when I needed them most. Their love and support made the roughest of times more bearable and the happiest of rimes more enjoyable. I thank them from the bottom of my heart. Special love and gratitude to my children, Nicole and Colton, who gave up tremendous amounts of time with me, with very little complaining, so that I could accomplish this goal. They made the struggle worthwhile. Finally, my deepest love, appreciation, and thanks to my husband. Bill, who encouraged me to seek my dreams and then helped me accomplish them by giving me his endless love, support, and encouragement. Without him this would not have been possible.