Fashion is more than just clothes—it's a form of self-expression, a platform for creativity, and even a pathway to exciting career opportunities. For kids and teens, diving into the world of fashion design can be an incredibly enriching experience. From developing technical skills to boosting confidence, learning fashion design early offers benefits that extend far beyond the sewing machine.
Read moreStudent Highlight - Carissa H.
Photography - Katya Kuba
Carissa recently took a series of classes to prepare herself for a graduate program application. She completed her undergrad in another field and has been in the working world but wanted to shift gears into the realm of design. She had a tight deadline and a steep learning curve but really made huge progress over just a couple of months. We are so proud of her and all her hard work! Look what a beautiful dress she made as only her 2nd adult sewing project. Wow! Bravo Carissa - Bellisima!
Read moreStudent Highlight - Zahra
Meet - Zahra, one of our young and talented Fashion Studies students. Zahra started studying #allthethings (including Design, Illustration and Sewing) with us over the Summer and has continued to take classes throughout the Fall to work on her arts-based high school applications. She’s been busy sewing up garments as well as honing her drawing skills so that she can present her work and be ready for what High School has to offer.
Read moreFashion Studies can be just for FUN - Student Highlight on Kasia K.
Kasia is such a fun sewing student, always eager to learn new things. She has an amazing sense of color and style. I think she is super cool! Here is a little more about Kasia in her own words:
What kind of work do you do, when you are not sewing?
I work at Levi Strauss as a paralegal managing the trademark portfolio and assisting with brand enforcement. I have been there almost a year but it’s been fun having work somewhat coincide with my sewing adventures.
When did you start sewing/how long have you been sewing?
I have dabbled in sewing since high school. The first item of clothing I made was a pair of lounge pants without a pattern. I just cut the fabric in the shape of pants and sewed. They were pretty sad.
In my twenties I took a sewing class at Stone Mountain Daughter. It was great but it didn’t help push me over the sewing edge. I’ve always owned a sewing machine but was so intimidated by it.
I’ve been immersed in sewing since August 2022 when I started taking classes at the sewing room.
What are your interests outside of sewing?
Outside of sewing I’ve been an obsessive knitter since 2003. I love all things knitting. I’ve also picked up Bargello, a type of needlepoint from the 70’s. I will also partake in anything crafty especially since I have an art obsessed 7 year old daughter. But really knitting is my #1 love. Sewing is getting very close to first place.
Why did you want to learn how to sew?
I have always loved the idea of making things instead of buying them. But to be able to make one’s clothes has always been a desire. I have no desire to be a designer. I only want it have it as a skill. Like with knitting, I can see something in a store or on someone that I like and then go home and knit it. I want to do the same thing with sewing.
What is your favorite part about sewing/the clothing making process (design, pattern, sewing, fabric etc.)?
I don’t think I have a favorite part. Each step offers me something different. Looking for patterns and fabric is obviously a huge joy for me. However the planning of it, getting the fabric, washing, ironing, cutting, piecing it together has forced me to S L O W down. That whole process used to intimidate me. But once I did it a few times, I realized how good it was for me. I go, go, go all the time. I can knit anywhere anytime even if a few rows. But sewing, sewing forces me to set aside a big chunk of time, to slow down, be methodical, and focused on one project.
What are your #sewinggoals and/or ambitions?
My sewing goals are to have a handmade wardrobe. I definitely have more hand knit sweaters than store bought. I would like to have the same for other clothing items. I also would like to make myself one fancy dress.
The projects I’m currently working on are a second pair of Landers pants this time in blue corduroy, and another Noodlehead tote bag with some beautiful Japanese print fabric.
I hope you enjoyed meeting Kasia. Her passion for making her own wardrobe is very inspiring. Our Fashion Studies program has helped Kasia realize some of her dreams. I invite you to check out our Spring 2024 class schedule on our Fashion Studies page and APPLY if you are interested in learning more about how to create your own wardrobe.
Student Highlight - Jake D.
Meet Jake D. , one of our Fashion Design Students. His designs are pretty awesome, so we thought we would share some with you. It's fantastic that he is also exploring the art of draping fabric on the dress form, which was really a wonderful surprise to see when he sent over the photos. That skill and practice will come in handy when and if he studies pattern making (finger's crossed). I think it will be really fun for him. But first Sewing!
Read moreVintage Style and Beyond - Student Spotlight - Amy B.
Amy has been a student at The Sewing Room for about a year and a half now. She loves to sew vintage clothing and pays careful attention to all the details. Amy has also been part of our Fashion Studies program for the last year and I've been super thrilled to see her blossom in ways she couldn't imagine. Self proclaiming that she couldn't draw, we can see she proved herself incorrect in that assumption. Just look a the fabulous illustrations she created above! That little collage also shows you her mood mood board as well as a rendering of her fabric design. I can't wait to see what she dreams up next!
Read morePursuing a Career in Fashion Design for Beginners
Fashion is an ever-evolving industry that encompasses clothing, accessories, jewelry, and more. It is an art form where creativity meets practicality and incorporates the latest trends in design to create new looks.
Read more6 Things You Need to Know When You Are Starting Out as a Designer
Recently I interviewed my friend and colleague, Susan Aplanalp-Weeks. She has had a varied career in the fashion industry and has worn many hats, some of which are Pattern Maker, Designer, Technical Designer, Production Manager and finally Professional Fashion Instructor. Susan Currently teaches Fashion Classes in the Design Department at UC Davis and she's also taught for the California College of the Arts and Otis Design School in Los Angeles. During the interview we discuss what new designers need to know when starting out.
Read moreMy Wool Shirt - Learning to copy my favorite shirt, through PRACTICE & mistakes
My mom once told me sewing was a good way to have more clothes.
Her advice likely came from an economic standpoint, but I think she had more in mind. Last summer I decided to explore what she said and set out to recreate my favorite wool shirt. Merino wool is renowned for its softness and ability to deflect odors and maintain a comfortable temperature whether hot or cold. Its price, however, reflects those super-powers.
Read moreLearning to Sew - A Student's Experience
Sewist, Sewer, Someone Cool Enough To Sew Own Clothes (SECSOC) – whatever it’s called, my question was, “How do I become one?” Sure, I took Home Ec (now Life Skills) and learned to make a draft dodging sock stuffed with rice. I distinctly remember when it developed a hole (along my stitching line), and the rice went everywhere.
Read moreJobs in Fashion - Techical Designer
A Technical Designer's job is to sit between the Fashion Designer, Merchandiser and Production Manager to make a garment fit the customer that the merchandiser is targeting, adhering to the designer's original vision, while also producing it at the right price. This is usually done remotely by sending communications overseas to agents and factories.
Read moreI Can't Wait to Keep Learning - Student Highlight on Ava S.
This month's student spotlight is on Ava S., who is currently in our ONLINE Fashion Studies Program. Her instructors speak very highly of her and she is producing very lovely work. Ava is 16 years old and a Sophomore at Skyline High School in Oakland, California.
Read moreIt's Never Too Late to Start Something new - Student Highlight - Rylee B.
This month's student spotlight is on Rylee B., who is currently in our ONLINE Fashion Studies Program. She's an amazing artist an what she has written is very inspiring. Below is a little bit more about Rylee in her own words -
Read moreI live in Alameda, California, with my husband, our roommate, and — most belovedly — our cat. We’ve been in California for roughly 3 years after moving here from Florida. I’m currently a nurse and I work night-shift, so hobbies are what keep me going since most of my awake time is while the world is sleeping.
Student Highlight - Lacie Schwend
We are excited to Introduce you to our Student of The month Lacie Schwend. She's been taking our Online Fashion Sewing and Beginning Pattern Making with Christine in our Online Fashion Studies program. Lacie lives in Wyoming and has a really interesting background. We love her Cruella Costume that she made, using techniques she learned in class with Christine.
Read moreThe Top Four Crucial Skills to Have When Designing a Fashion Collection
Designing your own fashion collection can be very exciting. Putting your big ideas out into the world is amazing. But what happens when it doesn’t go exactly as planned? Your pattern maker didn’t understand your sketch and your samples turned out wonky or the factory made decisions counter to your ideas. Being a designer is hard sometimes! But it doesn’t have to be hard, if you know a thing or two about how the manufacturing process works & how to communicate properly with your team even if it’s just your mom sewing up or helping to sew up your designs.
Read moreFun, Useful Skills to Learn During Self-Isolation
Image via Pexels
Are you spending more time at home than ever before? Sure, being cooped up comes with some downsides, but you don’t have to allow yourself to become stir-crazy. You can make the most of your self-isolation by picking up a few new skills.
Whether you’re aiming to turn your newly acquired skills into a career or simply want to fill your time with productive activities, learning something new can add joy and excitement to your routine. Here are some fun skills worth learning while self-isolating in 2021.
Read moreFashion Illustration - Student Highlight - Alisa Clements
This month I wanted to highlight one of our former adult illustration students who is putting out some amazing work. Here is a little bit more about Alisa in her own words:
Read moreIn 2019, I started an online search for sewing, fashion, art.
I found The Sewing Room! I would look through the classes and feel super excited thinking when I was going to take a class! Then one day while perusing Jennifer's website, I saw Fashion Illustrating with instructor Julie Ann. "WOW," I thought to myself, "gosh, that's so cool- fashion illustrating!" I cannot express how thrilled I was about this class offering. I felt so lucky to have found this opportunity at The Sewing Room.
Student of the Month - April
This month we highlight Kelly H. who is one of our Fashion Studies Students. Only 12 years old with a fairly developed sense of style, she is learning the craft of clothes making and cultivating her design skills. She's even doing it with a cast on her RIGHT hand. Yikes! She will be an ambidextrous designer by the end of the school year! That shows a lot of commitment and determination, if you ask me!
Read moreEXPLORING (Responsible) FASHION - Local Fabric Mill in California
Photo: Huston Textiles
Responsible Fashion is a term presented to me by fellow colleague, Janice Paredes from FIDM (my alma mater). It's a new way to look at Clothing and the Fashion Industry. It's about choosing a responsible way to wear your clothes and a responsible way to spend your money. It involves deeper thinking beyond just looking at the style and price. Responsible Fashion is looking at the WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN AND HOW your clothes get made.
Student Of The Month - February
Uma started taking classes in Fall and has been sewing up a storm ever since. I love her style and creative enthusiasm. for instance, she wanted to make the Bonjour Teaspoon Lilli Sailor cap but thought it was too pointy, and then thought that the points looked like cat ears. So she was determined to add cat ears and she did it! I also love this amazing camp she designed made while visiting her dad's work, where they have a sample making room. So cool.
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