Curated Fashion Intensives for Teens & Adults
We now offer a curated series of intensives designed for those who are ready to deepen their experience in fashion design, sewing, and sustainability. Each intensive focuses on a specific area of fashion. You’ll have the flexibility to choose the topics that most inspire you, building your skills step-by-step, project by project. Our instructors Christine Knobel & Julie Ann Brown are fashion industry professionals who have a wealth of experience as instructors and experts in their field.
Fall 2025
Sept. 3rd thru Dec. 18th
Courses run 3-5 weeks long + Early Bird Pricing through August 15th ($50-$100 off) + 10% Discount when purchasing multiple courses + option to split classes into two payments.
Fall Courses
Coloring your Fashion Sketches
(Ages 13 - Adult)
Wednesdays, Dec. 5th - 17th | 6 pm to 8 pm
Move beyond the pencil sketch and into the world of color to make your fashion sketches pop. This is the perfect class for those students who just finished Beginner Figure Drawing or those others who are trying to create a submission portfolio. Over the three week course, you will learn the following concepts:
rendering a variety of skin tones
adding light and shadow for dimension
using composition for stronger presentations
creating a sense of space with background elements
Traditional art materials (markers, watercolor) will be provided in class, but students can choose to work digitally with their own tablet and the ProCreate app. This class meets for two hours once a week for 3 weeks. Instructor Julie Ann Brown
Spring 2026
January 11 thru May 7
Courses run 5 weeks long + Early Bird Pricing through December 1st ($100 off each class) + 10% Discount when purchasing 2 or more courses + option to split classes into two payments.
Spring Courses
Develop Your Own Design - Part 1
Sketch to Garment | Part 1 (Ages 13 - Adult)
Wednesdays, Jan 14 - Feb 11 | 6 pm to 8 pm
Learn how to translate your design inspiration into real fashion ideas through sketching. Instruction includes an introduction to textiles so that you can choose the right fabric for your design. Using this fashion sketch, students will develop a technical flat sketch, including the front and back view that is used on all commercial patterns. This flat sketch will help you to formulate the construction details and proportions to be able to make a pattern and sew your first sample. This class meets once a week for 2 hours for 5 weeks. Instructor Julie Ann Brown
Learn to Sew The Closet Core Sepia Pants or Shorts
(Ages 13 - Adult) | Skill Level: Confident Beginner
Thursdays, Jan 15th - Feb. 12th | 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm
Discover your new favorite pant pattern! The Closet Core Sepia Pants + Shorts combine comfort, versatility, and thoughtful design details that make them a joy to sew — and wear. In this class, students will learn professional techniques for sewing elastic waist pants with elevated finishes, including:
Constructing functional front double pockets with a unique “floating” design
Adding clean, topstitched back pockets
Creating a fluted paperbag waistband with optional drawstring
Shaping legs with darts for a flattering, modern silhouette
Choose your preferred style:
View A: Barrel-leg pants ending at the ankle, View B: Wide-leg, full-length pants or View C: Mid-thigh shorts
This class meets once a week for two hours for 5 weeks. Instructor Christine Knobel Christine
Corset Construction
(Ages 13 - Adult)
Thursdays, Sept. 4th - Oct. 2nd | 6 pm to 8 pm
This course will teach the basics of corset making from choosing the right materials to how it all comes together. Students will practice making a mock-up to achieve the proper fit. From mock-up, students will construct the corset in coutil with boning, lacing, and busk. We will learn specialized techniques, including how to cut and insert boning, different methods of seam finishing, flossing, and inserting grommets or hand-sewn eyelets. Click on sign up to see more details for this class as you will need to purchase materials from a specific place, ahead of time. This class takes place one day a week for two hours over 5 weeks. Instructor Christine Knobel
Figure Drawing
(Ages 13 - Adult)
Wednesdays, Feb 25th - Mar 25th | 6 pm to 8 pm
Learning to sketch your ideas on a figure is the starting point for creating your own fashion ideas. This course will teach you how to draw your own walking figure using simple shapes and landmarks to get the proportions you want. Students are welcome to sketch any gender or body type they choose. The course finishes with tips and tricks for drawing clothes on their new figure. This class meets once a week for 2 hours for 3 weeks. Instructor Julie Ann Brown
Mastering Zippers
5 Techniques in 5 Weeks - Learn to sew zippers with ease and confidence (Ages 13 - Adult)
Thursdays, Feb 26th - Mar 26th | 3:30 pm - 5:30 pm
In this focused 5-week course, students will build both skill and confidence with one of sewing’s most essential closures—the zipper. Each week, you’ll learn and practice a different zipper installation method: kissing zipper, lapped zipper, exposed zipper, zipper fly opening, and invisible zipper. Along the way, you’ll discover the unique strengths and style of each technique, as well as their most practical applications—from everyday garments to specialty projects. By the end of the course, you’ll have a personal reference library of zipper samples and the know-how to choose and install the perfect zipper for any sewing project. Instructor Christine Knobel
Develop Your Own Design - Part 2
Sketch to Garment | Part 2 (Ages 13 - Adult)
Thursdays, Feb 26th - March 26 | 6 pm to 8 pm
This course will launch from the designer’s sketch and tech pack from part 1 in this series. In this hands-on course, designers will learn how to understand and adjust a pattern. Students will learn how to research commercial patterns to fit their designs. From there, the student will learn pattern drafting techniques to change the pattern into one that will complete their design. This course is ideal for those eager to transform their fashion ideas into well-crafted, wearable pieces. This class meets once a week for two hours for 5 weeks. Instructor Christine Knobel Christine
Denim Remix - Upcycle your Jeans!
(Ages 13 - Adult)
Wednesdays, Apr 1st - May 6 (no class on Apr 15th) | 6 pm to 8 pm
Learn how to deconstruct and customize your own jeans or skirts from old denim. Please bring 2-3 pairs of jeans and at least one concept to explore. Students are welcome to bring a simple or easy pattern and use denim as the material. Other ideas and options will be shared in class. This class meets once a week for 2 hours for 5 weeks. Instructor Julie Ann Brown
Sewing With Knits
(Ages 13 - Adult)
Thursdays, Apr 2nd - May 7 (no class on Apr 16th) | 3:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Skill Level: Confident Beginner–Intermediate
Stretch your skills with this essential class for modern sewing! In Sewing with Knits, students will learn how to confidently work with stretchy, flexible fabrics like jersey, interlock, and rib knit — the same materials used in T-shirts, leggings, and activewear. You’ll discover how to:
Choose the right knit fabric for your project
Adjust your sewing machine for stretch-friendly stitching
Use specialized needles and techniques to prevent puckering and stretching
Seam, hem, and finish edges for professional-looking results
Sew a simple garment (like a T-shirt or lounge top) using your new skills
This class is perfect for stitchers who have already completed Machine Basics or have equivalent experience and are ready to explore the comfort and versatility of knit fabrics. Instructor Christine Knobel
Develop Your Own Design - Part 3
Sketch to Garment | Part 3 (Ages 13 - Adult)
Thursdays, Apr 2nd - May 7 (no class on Apr 16th) | 3:30 pm - 5:30 pm
This course will launch from the designer’s sketch, tech pack, and pattern from parts 1 and 2 in this series. In this hands-on course, designers will learn essential sewing and garment construction skills. Students will construct their original design in fashion fabric utilizing professional sewing techniques. This course is ideal for those eager to transform their fashion ideas into well-crafted, wearable pieces. This class takes place one day a week for two hours for 5 weeks. Instructor Christine Knobel
This program is perfect for:
Aspiring Designers & Future Fashion Students
Whether you're applying to a high school or college fashion program, Fashion Studies will give you a strong foundation. You'll sharpen your sewing skills, strengthen your sketching and design abilities, and build confidence in pattern making—skills that will help your work stand out in any portfolio.
Fashion-Lovers Who Express Themselves Through Style
If you find yourself drawn to fashion as a form of self-expression, this program is for you. Whether you're still exploring your identity or already curating your personal aesthetic, Fashion Studies offers a space to deepen your creative voice, develop hands-on skills, and transform your ideas into wearable art.
Enthusiasts Exploring Sustainable Fashion
Maybe you've always loved clothes, but now you’re interested in where they come from, how they’re made, and how to make better choices for the planet. This program blends design and construction with an introduction to sustainability—teaching you how to make garments with intention, reduce waste, and create fashion that aligns with your values.
Creative Entrepreneurs & Independent Makers
Thinking about launching your own brand or clothing line? We’ll walk you through the essentials: pattern drafting, design development, and sewing techniques—equipping you with the practical skills you need to bring your vision to life, whether you're designing for yourself, your community, or the world.
Instructors
Jennifer Serr
Fashion Studies Program Director
If you get into the HEART of what I really do and why, you’ll find I teach my students how to be fashion designers. I teach them the skills they need to fulfill their dreams big or small. I guide them and help them build these skills which gives them CONFIDENCE. I also give my students the opportunity to learn skills they might not learn until they go to COLLEGE. This give them a “TASTE” of what THAT might be like.
Before opening The Sewing Room in 2012, I spent over 15 years working as a Technical Designer for brands Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy, Pottery Barn and Coyuchi. During the years that followed my technical design career, I owned and operated Jennifer Serr Couture Bridal and taught Pattern Making in the Fashion Department at California College of the Arts, in addition to building the business I have now.
It’s my true passion to share what I know with Young Designers. I understand the obsession with fashion, clothing and how it all gets made.
Julie Ann Brown
Fashion Illustration and Design
Since earning her BFA in Fashion Design at Otis, she has spent the last twenty five years creating swimwear collections in Southern California for labels such as Girlstar, bebe,Lucky Brand, Betsey Johnson, ále by Alessandra Ambrosio, Soluna and Isabella Rose. These designs have been featured in many publications including Vogue, GQ, Elle, Harpers Bazaar, and Sports Illustrated.
She has designed her life to be a constant output of creativity so that most of her time is spent making art, taking pictures, dancing, and sharing her knowledge with others. She loves to draw women and has been profoundly influenced by the works of René Gruau, Alphonse Mucha, Alberto Vargas, David Downton and Ruben Toledo.
After working with Julie Ann over the last several years, I’ve found her to be a skilled and passionate instructor. She teaches her students how to “SEE” and then layers on more with each lesson.
Christine Knobel
Fashion Sewing and Pattern Making
Christine works as a freelance designer, seamstress, and instructor in the Northern California Bay Area. She’s taught fashion and textile courses at the University of California, Davis in the Department of Design. Christine has also worked as an instructor at Arizona State University in the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts.
While at UC Davis for her M.F.A., her thesis focused on fashion sustainability. She studied dyeing methods, textile life cycle assessments, and ultimately dove into biotextile design. Her work there led her to Make: where she's been sharing her research on kombucha textiles and cosplay.
As a fashion designer, she's worked professionally in pattern drafting, loungewear design, textile print design, and with private clients for cosplay design and construction. Her cosplay work has been featured by Marvel Comics, and seen on such sites as Vanity Fair, LA Weekly, and the Daily Mail UK. Christine has a passion for fashion, from fiber, yarns, textiles, to the rich history of the garments we wear.