COURSE GUIDE & CHECKLIST

Semester I

Clothing Construction I

Fashion Sketching I

History of Costume

Pattern Making I

Textile Workshop

Semester II

Clothing Construction II

Fashion Sketching II

History of Costume II (History of Couture) 

Pattern Making II

Color & 2-D Design

Semester III

Clothing Construction III

Fashion Sketching III

French Draping I

Pattern Making III

Couture Detail

Semester IV

(Eligible for Certificate in Fashion Design after 20 courses/60 credits)

 Clothing Construction IV

Pattern Making IV

Fashion Sketching IV

French Draping II

3-D Design

Semester V

CAD Apparel I - Pattern Making & Grading

CAD Art I

Style and Line

Elective

Internship

Semester VI

(Eligible for Diploma in Fashion Design after 30 courses/ 90 credits)

CAD Apparel II - Pattern Making & Grading

CAD Art II

Designers Line: Includes Thesis, Portfolio, Collection and Presentation (9 credits)

Course Descriptions

Accessory Design

Bridalwear

Childrenswear
 

Clothing Construction I & II : Practical projects in fabrication garments designed in the pattern making courses; stylized and fitted muslins, selection and preparation of fabric, cutting, matching, hand sewing and industrial machine stitching, lining, pressing, detailing and finishing.
     Level I: Dressmaking
     Level II: Advanced Dressmaking
 

Clothing Construction III: Active, beachwear, women's separates and coordinates.
 
Clothing Construction IV: Soft tailored coat ensembles including collars, pockets, under linings and coordinating undergarments. Classic hard tailored suit ensembles including notched lapels and collars and two-piece sleeves.  Emphasis on jackets, vests, bodices, skirts, dresses and trousers. Coordinated with Pattern Making IV course.

Cocktail & Eveningwear

Color and 2-D Design:

Principles of color: color theory, value, and harmony; color in line, form, space and texture; color in balance, proportion, harmony, and emphasis, and; color in textile art and design. A study the interaction of man and his total environment, and exploration of this topic through various two-dimensional media (e.g. drawing, print techniques, collages, etc.). Development of a portfolio of experimental designs and imaginative ideas.

 
Couture Detail: Principles and techniques in fine hand/machine decoration, trim, and self-trim.  Learn finishes that give design the fine look of haute couture; i.e. faggoting, piping, scalloping, beading, embroidery, appliqué, cut-out, hemstitching, buttons, frogs, fringe, lace, hand-rolled edge finishes, etc.  The design and construction of a basic kimono with focal detail.
  
Designers' Line: Advanced course in the complete treatment of an individual theme; i.e., thesis, portfolio, collection and presentation.
  
Fashion Sketching I & II: Principles of design (line, form, space, texture, balance, proportion, harmony, emphasis).  Principles of color (value, harmony).  Application of the principles of good design to fashion.  Principles and techniques of presenting designs on paper; i.e., croquis, costume anatomy (style lines), media (pencil, marker and water color), fabric renderings, the fashion figure (designer workroom plates).
     Level I: Croquis and Plates
     Level II: Design Categories
 

Fashion Sketching III: Collection Design.

Fashion Sketching IV: Advanced Collection Design

  
French Draping I: Introduction to forming muslin patterns created directly on the mannequin in the French manner.  Projects include black and whites, changes of fabric, and geometrics.
  
French Draping II: Advanced muslin patterns.  Projects include convertibles, designs from fabric, and period pieces.

 
Handbag Design: History and development of the handbag. Familiarization with the various types of handbags, as well as the parts of the handbag, and the functions of those parts. Working with leather, and learning about the various tools used in constructing a handbag. Construction of several structured and soft structured handbags.
  
History of Costume I: A panoramic survey of costume (psychology, fabrics, colors, and styles) from prehistory to 1900 focusing on sources of inspiration for contemporary fashion design as well as for theatrical costuming.
  

History of Costume II - Couture: A survey of the history of fashion from 1858 to present day focusing on designers, psychology, fabrics, colors, and styles.

Internship: On-the-job observation and practical experience in a fashion atmosphere (ninety hours minimum).

Lingerie/Loungewear

Menswear I & II
 

Millinery: Inspiration, design, construction and detail of headwear; patterned , blocked or framed.
  
Pattern Making I & II: Principles, techniques and practice in making patterns for women's garments, via both the flat (drafted) paper method and the form (draped) muslin method. Basic slopers and stylized patterns.

     Level I: Skirts and Blouses

     Level II: Dresses and Trousers

Pattern Making III:

Pattern Making IV: Flat paper patterns for stylized dressmaker coat ensembles. Flat paper patterns for classic and stylized tailored suit ensembles. Coordinated with Clothing Construction IV course.

Professional Development in Fashion Design

Developing the skills and strategies for creating a cohesive concept, building from that blueprint and positioning a product. The course includes introductions to the many areas a designer needs to be familiar with to deliver the most comprehensive interpretation of their vision.

        Research and Development – Utilizing resources and developing strategies for ideas.
        Branding – Identifying, creating and sustaining your business identity.
        Communications – Infusing your work with a unique and powerful message.
        Styling – Polishing your image through every point of contact with details.
        Marketing – Targeting the audience for your product.
        Visual Display & Merchandising – Stimulating the consumer with imagery.
        Fashion Writing - Describing fashion with words in editorial, press releases and commentary

        for print, the internet, and television.
        Fashion Show Production – Creating environments through event planning, development and execution.
        Press – Nurturing relationships with the press.
        Public Relations – Building public perceptions and communities.
        Promotions – Designing memorable moments and take-a-ways.
        Publicity – Triggering a ‘buzz’ while establishing celebrity/expert status.
 

Specialty Design: Junior, plus-size, and maternity.

Style and Line: Advanced course in the development of signature designs, designers’ personalized styles and collections. Practice in fabricating a mini-line, coordinated with Portfolio.

Textile Workshop: Identification, analysis and testing of fibers and fabrics and their uses, suitability and care in apparel (naturals, synthetics and blends; weaves and knits; dying and printing; finishes; hand-painting).

Practical textile experience in designing a fashion item.

3-D Design: Exploration and experimentation of body coverings and adornments via non-traditional, 3-dimensional media.  Body sculpture and wearable art. Designing with found objects. Projects include reflectives, modulars, and fantasy pieces.

Notes

SFD reserves the right to cancel courses (major and/or related) for which there is insufficient enrollment. In such cases, SFD will offer substitute courses of at least equal applicability. Credit for comparable courses taken at other institutions may be transferred in accordance with SFD policies. Courses leading to SFD Certificates or Diploma may be taken on a full or part-time basis. However, the sequence in which a student takes courses is determined by prerequisites, scheduling and approval by SFD. The maximum time for completion of Certificates is three years from the date a student begins study (two years for Diplomas).

-All courses are for three credits, involving forty-five class hours per term (three hours per fifteen weeks or four and one-half hours per ten weeks.

-All courses involve lectures, demonstrations, laboratory, studio work and crits in class. For every hour of in-class study, there are two hours minimum of homework and outside preparation.

-No credits are given for grades of “Failure” or “Incomplete” and the courses must be made up at the student’s own expense.

-No credits are given for grades of "D" in excess of six credit hours and the courses must be made up at the student’s own expense..

-No credits are given for grades below a “C” in major core courses (fashion sketching, pattern making, clothing construction) and the courses must be made up at the student’s own expense.

-Transfer credits are considered applicable to the SFD Certificate/Diploma at the discretion of the Directors. SFD requires an official transcript, three-credit courses, grades of “B-“ or above, catalog with detailed course description and, in some cases, a portfolio of course work. In multi-level courses, the terminal level of the course cannot be transferred from another college program.

-A semester consists of fifteen weeks, September to December or January to May, or ten weeks, June to August. Scheduled holidays and vacations are not included in this computation.

-An academic year consists of two consecutive semesters (September to May, January to August or June to December).

-A calendar year consists of three consecutive semesters (September to August, January to December or June to May).