As any experienced designer knows, patternmaking is the crucial link between the art of fashion designing and the actual sewing in fashion design. Without patternmaking, students would be unable to bring to life their one-of-a-kind creations.

Normally patternmaking and its’ related concepts are quite difficult to grasp at a college/university level, and this is one of the main reasons why otherwise gifted artists and would-be designers end up dropping out of the Fashion Design programmes in many post secondary institutions. Our Patternmaking programme, however, has been designed to ensure a thorough understanding and learning through fun, creativity and experienced teaching. Because of our small class size, no students “fall between the cracks”, and often, a teaching, assistant is present during class time to ensure that all students are learning at an optimum level and keeping up with the work.

Our patternmaking courses are divided into three levels; Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3. Each level deals with different aspects of design and may last for one, two, or three terms each.  In class, students are taught classic pattern making skills directly from the same text books used by the college and universities today, but with unique differences; small class size; teaching assistance to offer guidance; and the class progresses at a slower pace enabling students the opportunity to digest, comprehend, and utilize the skills learned. In addition to the in-class work, each student will be creating a final design project of his or her own to be drafted with the pattern making skills he/she has learned, to be handed in at the end of the term for marking.

By the end of each level, students will have completed an enormous variety of drafted patternmaking samples, and will have one creative and original drafted pattern to add to their portfolio of learning.

It is important to understand that all of our patternmaking courses work together as a whole.  In order to develop as a patternmaker, students must take a minimun of 2-4  years of patternmaking courses before they can become independent and proficient patternmakers.  The patternmaking courses that are offered are listed below.

Upon the successful completion of each Pattern Making course, students will receive a Certificate of Completion.

This course is available to students aged 12 to adult.

Pre-requisite classes required: any beginning sewing course. Pattern Making has a duration of 12-14 classes per term. It is offered from September to June and, occasionally, in the summer months. Each class is 3 hours in length.

Supply Cost: Students to provide their own supplies, bristol board, tools and equipment, etc.