Whether you are starting out or looking to sharpen your techniques, Fashion Design Workshops offers a dynamic, hands-on learning experience for aspiring designers, sewing enthusiasts, and creative makers.
Led by industry professionals, each workshop focuses on a key area of garment construction and accessory creation, giving you practical skills and creative confidence. Build your abilities one project at a time—and walk away with pieces you’ve crafted yourself.
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Students will expand their foundational sewing skills while gaining new competencies, including industrial sewing machine operation. The featured project for this course is a custom-tailored shirt or dress made from cotton or a cotton-blend fabric. Through this hands-on garment project, students will master advanced construction techniques that result in a polished, professional-quality finish. Topics include:
- Select appropriate fabrics, linings, interfacing, and notions based on design and function
- Interpret and follow commercial sewing patterns, including symbols and layout diagrams
- Set up and operate a sewing machine safely and effectively
- Perform key construction techniques: staystitching, darts, princess seams, seam finishes, zippers, and hemming
- Apply professional pressing and finishing techniques throughout construction
- Identify and correct fit issues using standard alteration methods
- Produce a professionally constructed, fully finished tailored dress or shirt
Textbooks, materials, ID card and exam fees are not included.
Prerequisites: CD-592 | Sewing Essentials
Total Program Hours: 30 Hours
Required Textbook or Course Materials: Please read PDF.
Instructor: Annamma George [email protected]
Classroom: West Hall, Room W-323
Accommodations: Call the Disability Services at 201-612-5269.
Intermediate Sewing
Course: Intermediate Sewing
| Start Date | End Date | Fee | |||||||||||||||||||
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| September 19th, 2026 | November 21st, 2026 | $495 | |||||||||||||||||||
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Students will explore a wide range of fibers and fabrics, including their properties and characteristics, wovens, non-wovens, stretch wovens, and knits, as well as basic fabric finishes and appropriate end uses. The course also teaches how to select the right fabric for a sewing project, covering proper handling, pinning, cutting, sewing, pressing techniques, and garment care to achieve optimal results. Topics include:
- Natural, synthetic/man-made fibers, and microfibers
- Fiber properties and their impact on design and end use
- Weaving and knitting processes in the textile industry
- Fabric dyeing, printing, and finishing processes
- Proper handling, cutting, pinning, sewing, and pressing techniques for various fabrics
Textbooks, materials, ID card and exam fees are not included.
Prerequisites: High School Diploma or equivalent. No Prior Experience Needed
Total Program Hours: 30 Hours
Required Textbook or Course Materials: Please read PDF.
Instructor: TBD
Classroom: TBD
Accommodations: Call the Disability Services at 201-612-5269.
This course will be available in the Spring 2026 semester. Please check our website after March 15, 2026.
Click here to request one.
This hands-on course guides students through the construction of a professionally tailored wool jacket using a commercial pattern. Students will build advanced sewing, finishing, and pressing skills while learning both traditional and modern tailoring techniques. Students will also gain experience selecting and working with professional tailoring materials, preparing them for high-quality garment construction. Topics include:
- Hair canvas and fusible interfacing
- Pad stitching and essential hand stitches
- Double-welt (besom) pockets and pocket applications
- Notched collars and set-in sleeves
- Shoulder pads, sleeve heads, taping, and full lining
Prerequisites: Textbooks, materials, ID card and exam fees are not included.
Prerequisites: CD-592 | Sewing Essentials, CD-198 | Intermediate Sewing
Total Program Hours: 60 Hours
Required Textbook or Course Materials: Please read the PDF.
Instructor: Hasaan Rozzelle
Classroom: West Hall, W-323
Accommodations: Call the Disability Services at 201-612-5269.
Advanced Sewing & Garment Construction
Course: Advanced Sewing & Garment Construction
| Start Date | End Date | Fee | |||||||||||||||||||
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| February 21st, 2026 | June 6th, 2026 | $950 | |||||||||||||||||||
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Students will gain essential skills in both hand sewing and sewing/overlock machine operation. Through a series of hands-on projects, they will learn the fundamentals of fabric grain, pattern layout, cutting, sewing, pressing, and hand finishing. The course also introduces students to working with commercial sewing patterns, equipping them with the core techniques needed to confidently create their own sewn pieces. Topics include:
- Identify and use lengthwise, crosswise, and bias grains
- Sew basic seams: plain, French, and flat-felled
- Create seam finishes: stitch & pink, tailored edge, overlock, and Hong Kong
- Hand-sew essential stitches: basting, running, back, slip, and catch
- Apply hemming techniques
- Use a commercial pattern to layout, pin, and cut pull-on pants
Textbooks, materials, ID card and exam fees are not included.
Prerequisites: High School Diploma or equivalent. No Prior Experience Needed
Total Program Hours: 30 Hours
Required Textbook or Course Materials: Please read PDF.
Instructor: Marilyn Erazo [email protected]
Classroom: West Hall, Room W-323
Accommodations: Call the Disability Services at 201-612-5269.
Sewing Essentials
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