Better By Design

Looking for hands-on fashion and design skills? Look to Madison Area Technical College’s non-credit sewing, alterations, and pattern-making courses.

Bring up the topic of fashion design, and most people immediately think of such icons as Donna Karan, Donatella Versace, and Giorgio Armani—or of glamorous runway events in Paris and New York City. While those names and cities dominate the headlines, the reality is that most fashion designers work at small businesses or for themselves. And no matter where you’ve set your sights in the fashion world, Madison Area Technical College can help you find the mark. 

The college has long offered a two-year, Associate in Applied Science degree in Fashion Marketing that focuses on the marketing and business side of the industry. Now it’s expanded on that program with a series of hands-on, non-credit courses in sewing, alterations, and pattern-making.

According to Betty Hurd, director of the college’s Fashion Marketing program, the new courses address several needs. “On one hand, they also allow Madison College to provide people with skills that they can put to use immediately, which is important in today’s uncertain economy,” she says. “We also have a growing number of students who are interested in going to design school. These classes allow us to provide them with the some foundational elements that will help them transfer to a four-year design degree program.”

Hurd adds that the area’s fashion and sewing industries have been growing of late. As most area residents know, Wisconsin Fashion Week (www.wisconsinfashionweek.com) has become a hugely popular event in the last few years. What’s more, current industry estimates note that there are more than 330 sewing-related businesses in 162 cities across the state.

Covering the fundamentals

The non-credit courses themselves cover a wide range of topics. For example, the sewing classes introduce students to everything from sewing machine and serger operation to garment structure basics and more. The alteration courses address altering existing garments and mockups and customizing patterns, along with measurements and fitting. The pattern-making classes delve into the basics of the topic and also address computer-aided design (CAD). Hurd notes that the instructors are all fashion and design experts, and many have extensive industry experience with such firms as Fair Indigo, Wintersilks, Land’s End, and American Girl.

According to Hurd, the college has larger plans on the drawing board for a technical design training center. While those options are still in the planning stages, they illustrate the college’s commitment to serving students in the fashion field. “There’s a lot of interest out there for hands-on fashion and design skills—along with a significant need for these courses,” she notes. “We’re excited to be able to offer them to everyone with an interest in fashion.”

Sewing 1 for Fashion Marketing

Enrollment priority is for degree program students and graduates of the fashion marketing program. Sewing 1 for Fashion Marketing will introduce students to the operation of the sewing machine, serger, and iron, fundamentals of garment structure as dictated by the properties of fabric and body form, pattern reading, and the construction of simple garments. Students are responsible for providing their own supplies. Fee approx $50.
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Sewing 2 for Fashion Marketing

Enrollment priority is for degree program students and graduates of the fashion marketing program. In Sewing 2 for Fashion Marketing, students will expand upon the skills obtained in the Sewing 1 course and construct a collared shirt with cuffs and a button closure. Students are responsible for providing their own supplies. Fee approx $50.
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Fittings and Alterations 1 for Fashion Marketing

Enrollment priority is for degree program students and graduates of the fashion marketing program. Alterations 2 for Fashion Marketing will cover alteration of waist-up garments, including measurements, establishing center lines and correcting sideseams, fabric and pattern grainlines, torso alterations, fitting necklines and collars, shoulder and waist adjustments, and fitting bust and sleeves. Students are responsible for providing their own supplies. Fee approx $50.
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Fittings and Alterations 2 for Fashion Marketing

Enrollment priority is for degree program students and graduates of the fashion marketing program. Alterations 1 for Fashion Marketing will teach students to understand garment structure through deconstruction. The course will cover alteration of existing garments and mockups and customizing patterns before cutting fashion fabric. Alterations 1 will cover measurements and fitting for waist-down garments, including center lines, side seams, length and fullness, waist and hip alteration. Students are responsible for providing their own supplies. Fee approx $50.
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Patternmaking for Fashion Marketing

Enrollment priority is for degree program students and graduates of the fashion marketing program. Topics in this course include:

• Understanding the translation of 2 dimensional shapes and drawings to 3 dimensional form by drafting patterns.
• Understanding the translation of 3 dimensional garments to 2 dimensional shapes through deconstruction of existing garments.
• Manipulating basic patterns to create numerous variations including fullness, flair, length, shaping (darts, pleats, gathers), waist treatments (banding, facings), rise/waist placement, cuffing, pocket treatment and placement.
• Demonstration on the power of CAD (computer aided design) in developing various garment shapes.

Fee approx $50.
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For more information, contact Betty Hurd at 608-246-6486, BHurd[at] matcmadison [dot] edu.
For hundreds of other noncredit courses, view the full Continuing Education schedule.

To register, obtain the 5-digit class number from the links above and phone (608) 246-6210. First time students must create an account prior to registration.