Fashion Studies
Fashion Studies is a multi-faceted program for aspiring Fashion Students, from Middle School through Adult, taught at The Sewing Room in downtown Alameda. In each semester-long session, students learn the fundamentals of Fashion Design while being taught & mentored by industry professionals. Through this program, students build a strong foundation of fashion-centered skills while building their portfolio(s). We offer this program in Spring, Summer, and Fall. Sign up for our emails to get the latest information the courses we are offering.
Summer 2025
May 28th - August 30th | Wednesdays and Thursdays from 4 pm - 8 pm
This summer we are offering four separate 4-hour multi-week LAB classes that will inject a little fun and/or creativity into your sewing or fashion design practice as well as help you build a rockin’ portfolio.
Fashion Portfolio Development
Wednesdays, May 28th - July 2 | 4 pm - 8 pm
$900-$1000
A portfolio is a visual way to introduce yourself to a design school by showing 10-20 images of your best artwork. This course will introduce you to drawing fashion figures in a variety of art mediums, including pastel, watercolor, marker, and ProCreate. Students will learn a variety of techniques to render fabrics like satin, fur, and velvet while also developing their own personal style. The course includes the 6 rules of composition that will help your work stand out among the crowd.
Fabric Manipulation
Thursdays, May 29th - June 19th | 4 pm - 8 pm
$600-$700
This course will focus on the craft of fabric manipulation. We will be exploring gathers, tucks, and hand stitches to create beautiful three-dimensional texture in cloth. Some of these techniques include controlled crushing, shirring, smocking, and tucking. In this four-week course, we will produce a personal library with these various techniques. No background in garment construction is necessary, but basic machine knowledge is a must (check out our machine basics class).
Fabric and Fashion Dying
Thursdays, July 10th - August 7th | 4 pm - 8 pm
$800-$900 (includes materials)
OMG We’re dyeing! Welcome to fabric and fashion dyeing! In this course, we will be exploring various dyeing techniques including: ice dye, vat dyeing, indigo dyeing, Shibori, and other resist methods. This course will be messy, so please make sure to bring at least an apron or wear clothing you don’t mind getting dyed!
Urban Streetwear Design
Wednesdays, July 16th - August 20th | 4 pm - 8 pm
$900-$1000
This course will focus on designing and sketching only five components: jeans, T-shirts, hoodies, baseball caps, and sneakers for any gender. Students will gather cultural references, imagery, and inspiration to translate into their own designs in their sketchbooks. Students will be challenged (i.e,. ‘design a pair of jeans without a side seam) while also being asked to maintain a set of design considerations: fabric, comfort, shape, proportion, and functionality. Every student will have the opportunity to develop sketches in color for a final presentation.
For more information, visit our Fashion-Studies Page
See what parents say about our program:
“As a middle schooler, I tried my daughter, Nyah in activity after activity… softball, volleyball, dance, gymnastics none of these activities were appealing to her. I had almost given up with getting this shy 12-year old into anything and had resorted to her staying home while her peers enjoyed after school activities. It wasn’t until I tried one last attempt to get her connected, that I stumbled upon Jennifer Serr’s, sewing classes. This was the turning point for Nyah, not only did she enjoy the classes but eventually continued to pursue her love of sewing at OSA in the Fashion Design department. Now a graduate of OSA and freshman at UCLA, she continues this love of sewing and fashion as a student in UCLA’s costume design department. Thank you Jennifer for supporting Nyah with discovering her passion.”
—Nedra Ginwright
See what students are saying about our program:
“The Sewing Room inspired my love of sewing and taught me how to help others improve their skills as well. They gave me the tools that I needed to be able to envision and create my designs and make them look tailored and professional. Both my sewing skills and my pattern-making skills were greatly improved during my time at The Sewing Room and I attribute that to Jennifer and her own passion for design.”
—Lily