Fashion Design & Sewing

Description

Course Syllabus

This is a one-semester (half-credit) course for students in grades 9-12 (8th grade with permission). It is available in either the first or the second semester.

Fashion Design & Sewing is a creative, hands-on course where students bring their ideas to life through sketching, design, and sewing. Students learn the basics of fashion illustration, clothing design, color, texture, fabric selection, and sewing construction.

Throughout the semester, students progress from simple sewing projects to more advanced design work, creating items such as a pin cushion, a pencil case, a tote bag, a pillow, and a skirt. The course blends creativity with practical skills, helping students understand how fashion designs develop from concept sketches into finished products.

Students will also explore fashion trends, develop their own personal style, and build a mini fashion collection. This course is ideal for students who enjoy art, design, creativity, and hands-on making.

Students Will Learn To

• Develop fashion illustration skills, including figure drawing, body proportions, and posing
• Design clothing using color theory, shading, and rendering techniques
• Understand fabric types and apply texture in design work
• Safely use sewing tools and equipment
• Learn and apply basic to intermediate sewing techniques
• Construct beginner sewing projects and functional accessories
• Develop garment construction skills for wearable pieces
• Explore fashion trends and translate ideas into original designs
• Create mood boards, themes, and cohesive design concepts
• Strengthen creative problem-solving and design thinking skills
• Build confidence in presenting and communicating design ideas
• Design and produce a cohesive mini fashion collection
• Develop a beginner fashion design portfolio

Major Projects

• Pin cushion
• Pencil case
• Tote bag
• Pillow
• Skirt
• Mini fashion collection

Course Structure

Join us each week for a dynamic 1-hour live class that is engaging, interactive, and full of valuable learning. Active participation is strongly encouraged to help everyone grow and succeed together. Course resources and assignments will be posted in Canvas, so be sure to check in regularly to stay on track with your progress and personal goals. Each week’s homework will be clearly outlined in the course modules. During our live sessions, we will review key concepts, discuss project progress, hold Zoom Q&A sessions, and go over assignments to support your learning at every step.

Materials

• Sketchbook or drawing paper
• Pencils, erasers, fine-tip markers
• Colored pencils or markers
• Fabric (variety will be recommended)
• Sewing kit (needle, thread, scissors, pins)
• MUST PURCHASE: Sewing machine

This course is designed for students in grades 9–12 (8th grade with permission) who are interested in fashion, art, creativity, or hands-on making. It is a great fit for students who enjoy drawing, designing clothing, or working on creative projects using fabric and sewing tools.

No prior experience in fashion design or sewing is required. The course is beginner-friendly while still offering opportunities for more experienced students to refine their skills, explore their creativity, and take on more advanced design challenges.

Students considering future pathways in fashion design, costume design, illustration, or other creative fields will find this course especially valuable.

Technology Requirements

• High-speed, broadband Internet
• Headset, microphone, and webcam (for live sessions)
• Streaming video capabilities to watch recorded lectures
• Sewing machine (this is mandatory)

Evaluation and Feedback

Communication