DRESSMAKING AND DESIGN
Career Outlook
Your New Career
You can work for a tailor, dress shop, fashion designer, or make money in your own business, designing, repairing, and altering clothing in your own home. The opportunities are plentiful; whichever you choose, you'll have the skills for the job.
- Earn your Career Diploma at home in as little as seven months by studying just an hour a day for your new career.
- Start your own business. Work part-time from home, or open a full-time Dressmaking shop of your own.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, applicants with postsecondary vocational training may have a better chance of getting a job and advancing to a supervisory position. Apply the skills you learn in your training program diligently for a successful and secure future.
Your New Skills
You'll learn every important part of being a Dressmaker.
- The basics. The sewing machine, basic dressmaking processes, fibers and fabrics.
- Design techniques. Line and design in fashion, embroidery, and garment decoration.
- Designing by draping. Using and customizing a dress form, creating original clothing designs.
- Alterations and fitting. Altering and fitting necklines, armholes, sleeves, waistlines, and more.
- Decorative features. Applying ruffles, tassels, beading, and custom fasteners.
Program Overview
Learn the skills you need to succeed in Dressmaking and Design — at home, at your own pace with the Continuing Education Center.
Develop your natural talent for Dressmaking and Design with the Continuing Education Center Dressmaking and Design distance learning program. Your customers, neighbors, and friends will respect your skills and admire the clothes you create.
Learn how to:
- Identify fibers and fabrics and care for them
- Select the right material for a project
- Mark, cut, and tack fabric for a proper fit
- Finish garments and alter patterns
And you’ll learn it all at home – no classroom needed! You’ll get valuable information about alterations and fitting, drafting patterns, and designing by draping.
Start a rewarding career in the field of Dressmaking and Design.
Why take a Dressmaking and Design training program? With the right credentials, you can:
- Work for a design agency, a tailor, or start your
own business.
- Create your own designs as a hobby or for extra income.
There will always be a demand for professional Dressmakers. Create new, unique styles for yourself or your friends and customers at half the cost, alter favorite garments, or add your special touches to costumes for special occasions.
Contact the Continuing Education Center Today.
Find out more about the Continuing Education center's Dressmaking and Design training that includes:
- All the books, lessons, and learning aids you need
- A sewing machine
- Toll-free instructional support
- Access to student services by website, phone, and mail
Program Outline
Instruction Sets
Your program consists of seven Instruction Sets designed to take you step-by-step through the techniques and skills you'll use in your new career.
Here's how it works
Your first Instruction Set will be sent immediately after your enrollment has been accepted. Other Instruction Sets will follow as you complete your exams, so that you will always have training materials to work with.
You will need access to a Microsoft® Windows®-based computer (running Windows Vista or later) and the Internet in order to complete your program with the Continuing Education Center.
Here is an overview of what you'll learn and the order in which you'll receive your lessons:
Instruction Set 1
Learning Strategies The advantages of learning at home; types of study materials; types of examinations; accessing and using the features of our website; determining what kind of learner you are; establishing a study schedule; using study tips; preparing for and taking examinations.
Introduction to Sewing The art of sewing; introduction to tools and equipment; temporary and permanent stitches; creating the most common seams; taking measurements; purchasing and preparing patterns; making simple pattern alterations.
Learning Aid: Binder
Instruction Set 2
The Sewing Machine Types of sewing machines and machine attachments; threading machines; making stitches; setting machine timing and tension; sewing machine care; cleaning and lubrication; removing burrs; troubleshooting.
Practical Exercise 1
Instruction Set 3
Fibers and Fabrics Identifying fibers and fabrics; choosing the right fabric; working and handling fabrics; properly caring for fabrics and treating stains.
Basic Dressmaking Processes Selecting materials for a garment; marking and cutting fabric; tacking for proper fit; shaping, interfacing, binding, seams, and hems.
Practical Exercise 2
Instruction Set 4
Decorative Features Introduction to common decorative features; preparing neckline, skirt and sleeve openings; installing zippers; constructing and attaching cuffs and collars; attaching fasteners.
Advanced Dressmaking Techniques Finishing corners, points, and curved edges; forming pleats; making coats, jackets, trousers; working with linings, shoulder pads, and boning.
Practical Exercise 3
Learning Aid: Pattern
Instruction Set 5
Line and Design in Fashion Line, color, texture, and detail; types of line; principles of design: balance, proportion and scale, rhythm, emphasis, and unit; creating optical illusions.
Miscellaneous Garments Construction of non-standard garments: maternity wear, infants and children, nightwear, underwear; working with lace trim.
Practical Exercise 4
Supplement: Always in Style
Instruction Set 6
Embroidery Embroidery tools and materials; handworking embroidery stitches; machine embroidery; smocking and quilting.
Garment Decoration Applying garment-decorating techniques: ruffles, fringe, tassels, beading, sequins; belts and belt loops; custom fasteners.
Pattern Alteration Making major pattern alterations for shoulders, armholes, bust size, sleeves, skirts, and pants.
Practical Exercise 5
Equipment: Patterns
Special Shipment: Brother® Sewing Machine (90% of total program price must be paid prior to shipment of Brother® Sewing Machine.)
Instruction Set 7
Alterations and Fitting Altering and fitting necklines, including altering necklines, armholes, and sleeves; raising or lowering a waistline; eliminating wrinkles and bulges.
Drafting Patterns from Basic Patterns Constructing the basic pattern; designing the bodice, neckline, collar, sleeve, and skirt.
Designing by Draping Principles of draping; using and customizing a dress form; creating original clothing designs.
Practical Exercise 6
Final Project
Supplements: • Dressmaking Glossary • Sewing as a Home Business • Quick to Make • Sew Basics
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Online Library and Librarian
Students in the Continuing Education Center have access to an online library for use during their studies. Students can use this library to do the required research in the courses they complete or can use it for general reference and links to valuable resources. The library contains helpful research assistance, articles, databases, books, and Web links. A librarian is available to answer questions on general research-related topics via email and to assist students in research activities during their studies with the Continuing Education Center.
We reserve the right to change program content and materials when it becomes necessary.
Brother is a trademark of Brother Industries, Ltd. registered in the United States of American and/or other jurisdictions.