Shops and Studios
Fashion
Express yourself to the fullest with our Fashion program. With a focus on hands-on learning, students bring their ideas to life using professional-grade industrial equipment, a wide variety of materials, and guidance from experienced faculty and technicians.
What To Expect
Students can look forward to a hands-on, creative learning environment that encourages experimentation, functional design, and sustainable practices. You can design, construct, and experiment with both functional and artistic fashion projects. The Fashion program emphasizes skill development, allowing students to gain confidence working with industrial equipment.
Students also have the opportunity to learn from visiting designers and artists-in-residence via the Sow to Sew Residency Program. These professionals often work alongside students in the same facilities, offering mentoring and practical guidance.
Sustainability is integrated into our facilities through coursework, training, and the use of donated or repurposed materials, encouraging students to make thoughtful and environmentally conscious design choices.
Facilities
Students have access to two main studio spaces, allowing for individual work, group projects, and a variety of layouts for sewing, cutting, and constructing garments.
The department emphasizes inclusive and diverse design, with a variety of gender-neutral dress forms/mannequins and multiple workstations that accommodate different heights and project needs.
Equipment
Key equipment in the department includes:
- 14 Industrial sewing machines – machines capable of high-speed, straight-stitch sewing.
- 3 Industrial sergers – machines for advanced garment construction.
- 4 Domestic sewing machines – machines for specialty stitches, buttons, and detailed work.
- Multiple dress forms/mannequins – a wide range of sizes, including gender-neutral and inclusive options.
- Industrial irons – for pressing and finishing garments.
- Additional tools and resources – scissors, rulers, threads, and donated fabric supplies for student use.
Our technicians
