Our Continuing Studies Courses are open to community members for general interest and those who might be looking to build their skills, and those looking to gain new skills. If you are considering pursuing post-secondary design programs these courses will help you develop your skills and build your portfolio while also getting to know our labs, and programs that we offer a bit better. Are you a teacher working on your UBC Diploma in Education in Home Economics Education? These continuing professional studies courses may be used toward your credential, see above UBC link for more details!
We are pleased to offer a full range of courses for Summer 2024. Registration is now available.
How to Naturally Dye Fabric
July 29 – Aug 2, In-Person
Richmond Campus, Wilson Building
FSDP 9017 - Cost: $315.70 + GST
9am to 5:20pm (includes one hour lunch)
Learn the art of working with plants and food to naturally dye fabric. This course will provide participants with a unique and enjoyable exploration of various textile treatments and techniques especially focusing on the use of natural dyes. These techniques will be taught with instructions that make the processes a learning experience not only for the craft itself but also for the history and cultural understanding of these processes and their relevance to the textile work and innovations of today.
Why should you register?
Have a garden of plants that you would like to try and dye some fabric with, or have you seen some posts on social media of others who have explored natural fabric dying, but you aren’t sure where to start? Do you know that when fabric dying with avocado you end up with a pretty peach colour? Come join us and learn how to naturally dye fabric with a range of plant and food items.
Using Industrial Sewing Machines
Aug 6 – 9, In-Person
Richmond Campus, Wilson Building
FSDP 9040 - Cost: $267 + GST
9am to 2:50pm (includes one hour lunch)
Through this course learn how to use a range of industrial sewing machines including straight stitch, sergers, and other specialty machines we have on campus. While learning how to use the machines effectively, an understanding of the basics of threading, thickness of textiles, tension, and troubleshooting will be developed. Activities to support learning about machine capabilities will include sewing samples and small projects that will be discussed in class. This workshop is designed for those interested in working on industrial machines who have little to no experience.
Why should you register?
Curious about industral machinery used in the fashion industry? Are you starting, or are you planning on applying to one of the Wilson School of Design programs and are itching to get in the labs and explore the machinery we have on site and their capabilities? Do you just want to better understand machinery and their capabilities to inform your designs? This is the course for you!
Summer Design Foundation Academy
Aug 6 – 9, In-Person
Richmond Campus, Wilson Building
FSDP 9001 - Cost: $267 + GST
9am to 2:50pm (includes one hour lunch)
Interested in learning more about what designers do? Learn from a range of design educators from the Wilson School of Design and create inspiration materials and illustrations, transform shapes into soft objects, and practice photo manipulation through computer programs like Adobe Photoshop. Each day includes a different design area and projects done at home while working with your instructor. Each student will build a personalized design portfolio and projects that will be valuable for a future in design. No previous experience needed ages 12+.
Why should you register?
Are you between the ages of 12-17, interested in design and itching to learn more? Join us in this course and we will share a range of skills so that you might develop your own design practice. If you are thinking of pursuing post-secondary design education this course will be a great one to help you start to develop a portfolio.
Working with Knits
Aug 12 – Aug 16, In-Person
Richmond Campus, Wilson Building
FSDP 9004 – Cost: $315.70 + GST
9am to 5:20pm (includes one hour lunch)
Participants will learn pattern drafting and construction techniques for knits. They will construct and prototype knit tops and bottoms from commercial patterns, learning creative finishes for seams, hems, and necklines, while sampling a variety of industrial sewing machines on campus. During group conversations we will explore amounts of stretch, negative ease, and other considerations when working with knit fabrics.
Why should you register?
Do you have a favorite t-shirt in your closet that has perhaps seen better days? Maybe it's a hoodie? Join us in this course and you will learn tips and tricks for sewing with knit fabrics, and have a chance to work with the specialty knitwear machines we have on campus such as the coverstitch machine (if you are wearing a t-shirt right now look at the hem, if there are two lines of stitching on the front this has probably been done with a coverstitch machine), flatlock machines (think leggings and flat seams), industrial sergers and more!
Sewing Dresses
Aug 12 – Aug 16, In-Person
Richmond Campus, Wilson Building
FSDP 9041 – Cost: $315.70 + GST
9am to 5:20pm (includes one hour lunch)
Learn how to sew details and techniques commonly seen in dresses. An overview of basic sewing knowledge relating to grainlines, finishing, and working with woven fabrics will be covered in this course. Depending on student’s sewing experience and areas of interest the following will be explored: facings, necklines, hemming, zippers, and seam types. All in-class sewing will be done on industrial machines, no previous sewing experience is needed.
Why should you register?
Are you dreaming of a summery dress, or perhaps have some upcoming events to attend that you would like to make a special occasion item for and need some support? Join us and learn about some dress related details and tips for sewing, and even engage in some light pattern drafting or alterations to address fit and add details like pockets.
Adventure Pack Bag Making
Aug 19 – Aug 23, In-Person
Richmond Campus, Wilson Building
FSDP 9038 – Cost: $315.70 + GST
9am to 5:20pm (includes one hour lunch)
Learn the fundamentals of pattern drafting and sewing by working your way through making a tote bag and zippered pouch. Together we will draft patterns for these two bags, discussing pattern drafting basics, and pattern design, and pattern alterations. Once we have patterns to work with, we will move on to sewing both bags covering skills such as selecting and cutting out fabric, working with zippers, linings, seam types and finishes, and much more. Course content will also touch on troubleshooting techniques for pattern drafting and sewing, and tips for building on skills and knowledge covered in the course.
Why should you register?
Curious about how bags are made? Register in this course if you are looking to learn more about bag making, gain foundational skills in pattern drafting, and learn more about prototype processes.
Making Commercial Patterns Fit
Aug 26 – Aug 30, In-Person
Richmond Campus, Wilson Building
FSDP 9039 – Cost: $315.70 + GST
9am to 5:20pm (includes one hour lunch)
Students will learn pattern and design techniques as they manipulate commercial and pre-existing patterns. In this course we will explore pattern drafting basics, sew prototypes, and experiment with fit for different body types. Suitability of fabrics for design decisions will also be discussed.
Why should you register?
Have you worked with commercial and ready-made patterns but have struggled to get the fit right? Or perhaps you have a design in mind but can’t find the right pattern to act as a starting point. This course is for you if you are looking to gain skills in pattern alteration for both design and fit, and are excited to work with a commercial pattern as a starting point.
Developing Your Fashion Portfolio
Aug 26 – Aug 30, In-Person
Richmond Campus, Wilson Building
FSDP 9007 – Cost: $315.70 + GST
9am to 5:20pm (includes one hour lunch)
Hands-on exploration of the fashion design process is at the core of this course. You'll develop themes and storyboards, learn to sketch fashion figures, experiment with fabric draping for garment ideas, and hone your digital drawing skills using industry-standard software like Adobe Illustrator. Content will be explored from a perspective of how knowledge and skills covered in the course may also apply and relate to careers in the fashion industry. No prior drawing experience is necessary, making this course accessible to all.
Why should you register?
Are you considering applying to an art or design program but need guidance on creating a portfolio? Curious about how the skills you gain might relate to careers in the fashion industry, and the type of careers that are available? Whether you're starting from scratch or looking to enhance your existing skills, this course offers a focused approach to developing a fashion-oriented portfolio, along with knowledge of how these skills may be applied in an industry setting. While the emphasis is on fashion, the skills and knowledge covered are applicable across various art and design disciplines.
Explore Fashion Careers
This course has been deferred. Please see our Developing Your Fashion Portfolio course above for a suggested alternative
Richmond Campus, Wilson Building
FSDP 9003 - Cost: $315.70 + GST
9am to 5:20pm (includes one hour lunch)
There are a wide variety of careers available in the fashion industry. Throughout this course we will explore a variety of skills and knowledge relevant to working in the current industry, and the array of roles. Together we will look at big businesses in a more corporate setting, what working with a smaller company might look like, things to consider when working on a contract, or becoming an entrepreneur. You will hear from guest speakers sharing their lived experiences with many resources and Canadian companies being explored.
Why should you register?
Are you interested in a career in the fashion industry but don’t know where to start? Or have you been told that there are no careers in the fashion industry in Vancouver and are curious to learn about might be an option? Join us in this course and learn about the global apparel brands that have head offices based here in Vancouver, BC (lululemon, Arc’teryx, Herschel Supply Co, Aritzia etc), the type of jobs available, career paths of some in the fashion industry, and potentially even hear from some guests and engage in a field trip.
Are you considering applying to art or design programs but need guidance on creating a portfolio? Curious about how the skills you gain might relate to careers in the fashion industry, and the type of careers that are available? Whether you're starting from scratch or looking to enhance your existing skills, this course offers a focused approach to developing a fashion-oriented portfolio, along with knowledge of how these skills may be applied in an industry setting. While the emphasis is on fashion, the skills and knowledge covered are applicable across various art and design disciplines.
Thank you for your interest! In the meantime, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at cpsdesign@kpu.ca