How TAFE SA’s introductory fashion courses are helping students craft the beginning of an industry-ready career and lifelong hobby.
TAFE SA has been pivotal in teaching SA’s aspiring fashion designers the skills they need every day, and for some, their journey starts with the introductory courses available at the city campus.
Pattern Making for Beginners and Sew your own Fashion are two short courses created to give students the ability to craft their own careers in fashion or strengthen a new hobby.
“Being at TAFE SA, students have the benefit of using the workshop and machines, and of course, it’s a big bonus that the lecturers work in the industry,” explains course lecturer, Meredith Goodman.
For more than two decades, Meredith has paved an impressive career in fashion, working for industry heavyweights like Harry Who and George Gross and becoming a vendor manager at R.M.Williams after her 15-year role as a product developer for the iconic brand.
“I’ve been fortunate to visit factories all over the world and see the best practices firsthand,” she continues. “This plays a big part in what I bring to the classroom. We have a different way of looking at things – usually, there is an easier way to sew a garment than what a store-bought pattern advises, it’s all about options.”
Both courses are structured to impart the building blocks of fashion design and build students’ confidence to make their own solo projects post-program.
Pattern Making for Beginners starts its five-week course with the construction of a skirt block – the base shape to create patterns from – before teaching you how to fit and adjust the item to shape different silhouettes. Likewise, the eight-week Sew your own Fashion course is designed for beginners (or those wanting to reconnect with a forgotten skill), outlining how to read patterns, select fabrics, cut and sew varying seams, pockets and zips.
“It’s about learning the process and then you can apply it to other things,” Meredith explains. Previous students have spent their time crafting garments for people physical disabilities or ensuring their designs are sustainable and follow the slow fashion practice. “Things like that are really inspiring.”
However, Meredith also understands firsthand how beneficial TAFE SA courses are for equipping students with the skills that will see them succeed in the real world.
“Working in the industry with people who have studied all over the globe, TAFE SA are still one of the leaders. You can usually tell where someone studied based on their knowledge – it’s this holistic approach that’s of benefit. The well roundedness of the courses offered here is invaluable.”
COURSE DETAILS
Ready to learn the building blocks of fashion design? Pattern Making for Beginners and Sew your own Fashion are designed to equip you with the basics for crafting your own garments and are available at the Adelaide City Campus.
The minimum age for the two courses is 15 and both commence in May 2024. Find out more at tafesa.edu.au
Sew your own Fashion
Length: 8 weeks
Delivery: Adelaide City Campus
Pattern Making For Beginners
Length: 5 weeks
Delivery: Adelaide City Campus
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