Nordstrom Future of Tailoring Program
Developed through a partnership with Nordstrom, Inc., and Seattle Central College's Apparel Design & Development program, this intermediate-level course prepares experienced sewers to perform professional garment alterations in a retail workroom environment. Through demonstrations, hands-on practice, and applied exercises, students develop the technical skills, professional practices, and quality standards used to alter ready-to-wear garments while maintaining quality, fit, and appearance.
Students learn common alteration techniques for pants, jeans, shirts, skirts, dresses, jackets, and blazers while developing proficiency in garment evaluation, alteration planning, garment deconstruction and reconstruction, professional pressing, garment finishing, and workroom workflow. They will also have the opportunity to see the inner workings of an alterations workroom and meet industry professionals.
Participants are expected to have prior sewing experience, understand garment construction, and be able to independently operate an industrial sewing machine. The course focuses on alteration techniques and does not cover introductory sewing or garment construction.
Upon successful completion, students will have developed foundational skills in professional garment alteration techniques and retail workroom practices.
Info Sessions
Do you have any questions? Join us for an (optional) online Information Session where you can meet the instructor, as well as our partners from Nordstrom, and get answers to all of your questions. CHOOSE ONE; both sessions will cover the same content. Be sure to register in advance.
Info Session #1: Thursday, August 13, 6:30 PM, online - Register Now
Info Session #2: Monday, August 24, 6:30 PM, online - Register Now
Course Details
When: Saturdays; September 26 to November 21; 10 AM to 4 PM
Location: Seattle Central College's Apparel Design & Development program, Broadway Edison Building 1139A , 1701 Broadway, Seattle, WA 98122
Instructor: Heather Zager
Fee: $0*
Optional Pre-Class Workshop for Selected Participants
Students who are accepted into the course are welcome to join a pre-class session to refresh their skills on the industrial machine, meet the instructor, and see the workroom before the first class. Attendance is optional and this session covers no new material.
Pre-Class Kickoff
WHEN: Saturday, September 19; 10 AM to 2 PM
Location: School of Apparel Design & Development at Seattle Central College, Broadway Edison Building 1139A , 1701 Broadway, Seattle WA 98122
Fee: $0*
*Free Tuition Available
Scholarships are provided by Nordstrom Inc. and cover the costs of tuition and course materials for all selected participants. All individuals with prior experience in sewing and garment construction are eligible to apply. Familiarity with industrial machine sewing is essential for success in this certificate program.
Application Process
If you would like to apply for the Nordstrom Future of Tailoring Program, the first step is to take an online Sewing Experience Assessment to verify that your skills are a good match for this program.
Apply Now
About Nordstrom
At Nordstrom, Inc., we strive to help our customers feel good and look their best. Since starting as a shoe store in 1901, how to best serve customers has been at the center of every decision we make. This heritage of service is the foundation we’re building on as we provide convenience and true connection for our customers. Our interconnected model enables us to serve customers when, where and how they want to shop – whether that’s in-store at nearly 400 Nordstrom, Nordstrom Local and Nordstrom Rack locations or digitally through our Nordstrom and Rack apps and websites.
About Seattle Central College’s School of Apparel Design & Development.
The School of Apparel Design & Development has a seventy-year history of preparing designers, patternmakers, and technical experts for leading roles in the fashion industry, both locally and across the world. It operates out of a state-of-the-art, 10,000-square-foot studio on the Capitol Hill campus of Seattle Central, a sister community college of South Seattle College and North Seattle College, which collectively enroll some 35,000 students across 130 different programs.