Course Descriptions: Fashion Design and Merchandising

FASH 100 PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN
Units (Grade Option) 3; Class Hours: Minimum of 48 lecture hours/semester; Recommended: Eligibility for READ 836, and ENGL 836 or ESL 400; Prerequisite(s): None. Description: An overview of design principles and elements used in fashion to create effective and successful garment designs. Focus is on the recognition, analysis and evaluation of good design in both ready to wear and student’s original designs. Other topics include sketching and presentation techniques. Transfer: CSU.

FASH 110 BEGINNING CLOTHING CONSTRUCTION
Units (Grade Option) 3; Class Hours: Minimum of 48 lecture/16 by arrangement lab hours/semester; Recommended: Eligibility for READ 836, and ENGL 836 or ESL 400; Prerequisite(s): None. Description: Designed to provide an overview of basic sewing techniques, sewing machine skills, and an understanding of fabrics and patterns. The focus is on clothing construction techniques for students with little or no sewing experience. Transfer: CSU.

FASH 111 TECHNIQUES OF FIT
Units (Grade Option) 3; Class Hours: Minimum of 48 lecture/16 by arrangement lab hours/semester; Recommended: Eligibility for READ 836, and ENGL 836 or ESL 400; Prerequisite(s): None. Description: An overview of various pattern alteration techniques for skirts and bodices based on individual figure variations. Techniques examine sizing methods, ease assessment, fabric variability, and the identification of figure variations. Transfer: CSU.

FASH 113 TEXTILES
Units (Grade Option) 3; Class Hours: Minimum of 48 lecture hours/semester; Recommended: Eligibility for READ 836, and ENGL 836 or ESL 400; Prerequisite(s): None. Description: An introduction to the study of natural and chemical fibers, yarns, weaving, finishing, and dyeing. Students will also analyze methods used for purchasing and caring for clothing. Transfer: CSU, UC.

FASH 115 INTERMEDIATE CLOTHING CONSTRUCTION
Units (Grade Option) 3; Class Hours: Minimum of 48 lecture/16 by arrangement lab hours/semester; Recommended: Eligibility for READ 836, and ENGL 836 or ESL 400; Prerequisite(s): FASH 110 or 111, or equivalent. Description: Provides an overview of intermediate sewing techniques for constructing collars, buttonholes, sleeves, hems, zippers, pockets, and other garment details. Transfer: CSU.

FASH 116 TAILORING
Units (Grade Option) 3; Class Hours: Minimum of 48 lecture/16 by arrangement lab hours/semester; Recommended: Eligibility for READ 836, and ENGL 836 or ESL 400; Prerequisite(s): None. Description: An overview of techniques applied to the construction of suits and coats. Students analyze and adapt patterns for proper fit and evaluate and select fabrics for specific garments. Collars, sleeves, linings, welt pockets and bound buttonholes are covered. Transfer: CSU.

FASH 118 FLAT PATTERN
Units (Grade Option) 3; Class Hours: Minimum of 48 lecture/16 by arrangement lab hours/semester; Recommended: Eligibility for READ 836, and ENGL 836 or ESL 400; Prerequisite(s): None. Description: An introduction to basic pattern-making to create garment designs. Students learn to manipulate darts and draft a variety of necklines, collars, sleeves, skirts and dresses from a master pattern. Students work with half scale, quarter scale and full scale patterns. Transfer: CSU.

FASH 122 ADVANCED TAILORING
Units (Grade Option) 3; Class Hours: Minimum of 48 lecture/16 by arrangement lab hours/semester; Recommended: Eligibility for READ 836, and ENGL 836 or ESL 400; Prerequisite(s): FASH 116. Description: Advanced tailoring techniques for the construction of jackets and coats. Students demonstrate mastery of collars, lapels, pockets, bound buttonholes, welt pockets, sleeves, and linings for suits and coats. Garments are constructed from commercial patterns or the student’s original design with pattern adaptation for personal fit. Transfer: CSU.

FASH 123 INTRODUCTION TO THE FASHION INDUSTRY
Units (Grade Option) 3; Class Hours: Minimum of 48 lecture hours/semester; Recommended: Eligibility for READ 836, and ENGL 836 or ESL 400; Prerequisite(s): None. Description: This course is an introduction to the fashion industry. Students analyze trends and manufacturing techniques and their implications for fashion. Terminology, careers, and job responsibilities applicable to the fashion industry are covered. Transfer: CSU.

FASH 132 TROUSER CONSTRUCTION
Units (Grade Option) 1; Class Hours: Minimum of 16 lecture hours/semester; Recommended: Eligibility for READ 836, and ENGL 836 or ESL 400; Prerequisite(s): None. Description: Learn techniques used for pants construction. Topics include fly front zippers, various waistline treatments, various pocket techniques, linings, underlinings, hems and cuffs. Transfer: CSU.

FASH 133 COPYING READY-TO-WEAR
Units (Grade Option) 1; Class Hours: Minimum of 16 lecture hours/semester; Recommended: Eligibility for READ 836, and ENGL 836 or ESL 400; Prerequisite(s): None. Description: Learn how to make a pattern from an existing garment without taking the garment apart. Through demonstration and hands-on experience, use the materials needed to generate this pattern from the existing garment, and make a muslin garment to test this pattern and refine it to ensure an exact duplicate of the original. Also included are facings, hem allowances, and other pertinent pattern drafting knowledge. Basic sewing skills recommended. Transfer: CSU.

FASH 134 BEGINNING MILLINERY
Units (Grade Option) 1; Class Hours: Minimum of 16 lecture hours/semester; Recommended: Eligibility for READ 836, and ENGL 836 or ESL 400; Prerequisite(s): None. Description: Introduction to methods of designing and constructing millinery. Fundamental techniques of hat design and construction including blocking and shaping straw, buckram, and fabric using traditional wooden hat blocks. Transfer: CSU.

FASH 140 BASIC SERGING
Units (Grade Option) 1; Class Hours: Minimum of 16 lecture hours/semester; Recommended: Eligibility for READ 836, and ENGL 836 or ESL 400; Prerequisite(s): None. Description: The use of the serger sewing machine for creating a variety of seams and functional and decorative edge finishes used in the construction of garments. Students explore tension, stitch formation, threading and maintenance.

FASH 146 DESIGNER TECHNIQUES IN SEWING
Units (Grade Option) 3; Class Hours: Minimum of 48 lecture/16 by arrangement lab hours/semester; Recommended: Eligibility for READ 836, and ENGL 836 or ESL 400; Prerequisite(s): None. Description: An overview of designer details in ready-to-wear fashion and application of these techniques in clothing construction. Learn to design and sew garments with unique collars, sleeves, pockets, and hems. Changing components of a garment for different designs is a focus of the class. Transfer: CSU.

FASH 150 HISTORY OF FASHION
Units (Grade Option) 3; Class Hours: Minimum of 48 lecture hours/semester; Recommended: Eligibility for READ 836, and ENGL 836 or ESL 400; Prerequisite(s): None. Description: A survey course of fashions of Western civilization from ancient cultures to the present day. Students analyze fashion trends as influenced by cultural, industrial and political developments. Transfer: CSU.

FASH 151 FASHION MERCHANDISING
Units (Grade Option) 3; Class Hours: Minimum of 48 lecture hours/semester; Recommended: Eligibility for READ 836, and ENGL 836 or ESL 400; Prerequisite(s): None. Description: Examines the retail and wholesale aspects of the fashion industry by studying trends, consumer behavior, direct fashion marketing, as well as internet fashion marketing. Globalization of the apparel industry, production cost, display, fashion promotion and advertising as well as career choices such as retail buyers, store managers, fashion directors, visual merchandisers, and sales associates are covered. Transfer: CSU.

FASH 162 ADVANCED FLAT PATTERN
Units (Grade Option) 3; Class Hours: Minimum of 48 lecture/16 by arrangement lab hours/semester; Recommended: Eligibility for READ 836, and ENGL 836 or ESL 400; Prerequisite(s): FASH 118. Description: A comprehensive study of pattern making and the drafting techniques used for creating more advanced garment design. Students make patterns for and sew various full scale garments with many different necklines, collars, sleeves, skirts, and dresses. Transfer: CSU.

FASH 163 PATTERN GRADING
Units (Grade Option) 1; Class Hours: Minimum of 16 lecture hours/semester; Recommended: Eligibility for READ 836, and ENGL 836 or ESL 400; Prerequisite(s): None. Description: Techniques for taking a single sized pattern and grading it up and down into multiple sizes. An overview of different size ranges, methods of grading, and grading rules is included. Transfer: CSU.

FASH 164 FASHION ILLUSTRATION
Units (Grade Option) 3; Class Hours: Minimum of 48 lecture hours/semester; Recommended: Eligibility for READ 836, and ENGL 836 or ESL 400; Prerequisite(s): None. Description: An overview of sketching for clothing design with emphasis on perception development through specific drawing exercises to develop fashion figure proportions. A variety of media and drawing techniques are used to create fashion sketches. Transfer: CSU.

FASH 166 FASHION ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Units (Grade Option) 3; Class Hours: Minimum of 48 lecture hours/semester; Recommended: Eligibility for READ 836, and ENGL 836 or ESL 400; Prerequisite(s): None. Description: An overview of the fashion entrepreneurial opportunities in the apparel and sewn products industry. Establishing goals, record keeping, business promotion, and the advantages and disadvantages of self-employment are discussed. Individuals considering a small business relating to fashion, fabric, color, pattern work, and sewing profit from this course. Transfer: CSU.

FASH 167 THE CUSTOM DRESS FORM
Units (Grade Option) 1; Class Hours: Minimum of 16 lecture hours/semester; Recommended: Eligibility for READ 836, and ENGL 836 or ESL 400; Prerequisite(s): None. Description: Students learn how to create a customized dress form used for design development and sewing construction. Students are fitted in customized covers, and foam dress forms are shaped to fit these covers. Information on ordering/purchasing dress forms is provided in the first class meeting. Transfer: CSU.

FASH 168 FASHION DRAPING
Units (Grade Option) 3; Class Hours: Minimum of 48 lecture hours/semester; Recommended: Eligibility for READ 836, and ENGL 836 or ESL 400; Prerequisite(s): None. Description: This course is an overview of designing clothing on a dress form. students use this 3-dimensional design process to create patterns for original designs. The translation of fashion ideas from design principles while draping with muslin to finished garments are also examined. Transfer: CSU.

FASH 170 FRENCH PATTERN DRAFTING
Units (Grade Option) 2; Class Hours: Minimum of 32 lecture hours/semester; Recommended: Eligibility for READ 836, and ENGL 836 or ESL 400; Prerequisite(s): None. Description: Students learn the French Couture method for drafting a master pattern. The master pattern, known as the moulage, is a form-fitting pattern that duplicates the figure exactly with no ease added. It is used to create the sloper and basic sleeve. These are used to design many different garment styles. Basic sewing skills recommended. Transfer: CSU.

FASH 171 PANTS DRAFTING
Units (Grade Option) 2; Class Hours: Minimum of 32 lecture hours/semester; Recommended: Eligibility for READ 836, and ENGL 836 or ESL 400; Prerequisite(s): None. Description: Learn techniques for measuring and drafting a basic pant sloper. The students then make the pattern in muslin and refine fit to produce a pattern that fits their own figures. From this basic block, students draft jean and dress pant slopers. Drafting pant details such as pockets, pleats, waistbands and fly-front zippers are discussed. Basic sewing skills recommended. Transfer: CSU.

FASH 172 BUSTIER
Units (Grade Option) 1; Class Hours: Minimum of 16 lecture hours/semester; Recommended: Eligibility for READ 836, and ENGL 836 or ESL 400; Prerequisite(s): None. Description: Introduction to the proper pattern work and construction techniques to create a well-fitting, well-performing strapless bodice (bustier), which can be adapted to evening wear or bridal wear. As these garments must fit closely, a well- fitting sloper, or the moulage from the French pattern drafting course is required. Basic sewing skills recommended. Transfer: CSU.

FASH 173 LINGERIE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION
Units (Grade Option) 1; Class Hours: Minimum of 16 lecture hours/semester; Recommended: Eligibility for READ 836, and ENGL 836 or ESL 400; Prerequisite(s): FASH 110 or basic sewing skills. Description: Learn about the world of lingerie encompassing intimate apparel and loungewear and gain a knowledge base of appropriate fabrics and construction techniques specific to creating lingerie. Transfer: CSU.

FASH 174 HOW TO USE YOUR MASTER PATTERN
Units (Grade Option) 1; Class Hours: Minimum of 16 lecture hours/semester; Recommended: Eligibility for READ 836, and ENGL 836 or ESL 400; Prerequisite(s): None. Description: How to use a master pattern created from various methods of pattern drafting. Learn to fit and design by using a sloper (moulage, master pattern, or block) you have created to fit yourself or someone else. Transfer: CSU.

FASH 175 ADVANCED ILLUSTRATION
Units (Grade Option) 3; Class Hours: Minimum of 48 lecture hours/semester; Recommended: Eligibility for READ 836, and ENGL 836 or ESL 400; Prerequisite(s): FASH 164 or equivalent. Description: Develop advanced fashion rendering skills and figure styles using a variety of media and drawing techniques to create original fashion illustrations. Emphasis is on developing flair, movement, and attitude in the fashion figure. Drawing flats, specs, floats, and fabric renderings will also be covered. Transfer: CSU.

FASH 178 COMPUTERIZED PATTERN GRADING
Units (Grade Option) 1; Class Hours: Minimum of 16 lecture hours/semester; Recommended: Eligibility for READ 836, and ENGL 836 or ESL 400; Prerequisite(s): FASH 163. Description: Learn how to use PAD, a professional computerized pattern development system, to grade patterns into multiple sizes. Transfer: CSU.

FASH 180 COMPUTERIZED PATTERN DESIGN
Units (Grade Option) 3; Class Hours: Minimum of 48 lecture hours/semester; Recommended: Eligibility for READ 836, and ENGL 836 or ESL 400; Prerequisite(s): FASH 118 or equivalent. Description: This course is designed to teach PAD, a professional computerized pattern development software, to draft and develop patterns for original designs. Students have the opportunity to develop patterns as used in the apparel industry, as well as learn the process of digitizing and plotting patterns using PAD software and hardware. Transfer: CSU.

FASH 195 PORTFOLIO DEVELOPMENT
Units (Pass/No Pass) 0.5; Class Hours: Minimum of 8 lecture hours/semester; Recommended: Eligibility for READ 836, and ENGL 836 or ESL 400; Prerequisite(s): None. Description: An overview of portfolio assembly methods for Fashion Design, with emphasis on professional display techniques of student’s original designs. Course covers presentation techniques, materials, content considerations, organization, and layout choices. Transfer: CSU.

FASH 196 INTRODUCTION TO THE COSTUME INDUSTRY
Units (Letter grade) 1; Class Hours: Minimum of 16 lecture hours/semester; Recommended: Eligibility for READ 836, and ENGL 836 or ESL 400; Prerequisite(s): None. Description: Introduction to the theater costuming industry as a profession. Students have the opportunity to visit costume shops throughout the Bay Area, learn the various jobs which are needed within a costume shop, and understand the process of designing theatrical costumes from concept to completion. Field trips and guest speakers are included. Transfer: CSU.

FASH 197 PATTERN DESIGN FOR HISTORIC COSTUME
Units (Grade Option) 3; Class Hours: Minimum of 48 lecture hours/semester; Recommended: Eligibility for READ 836, and ENGL 836 or ESL 400; Prerequisite(s): FASH 118 or equivalent pattern experience. Description: Pattern development and construction of historical costumes, from the middle ages to the beginning of the twentieth century. Learn how to apply the principles of modern pattern making to various historical styles and use this knowledge to design and create historical costumes. The unique cut and construction of each historical period is covered, along with undergarments and accessories necessary for each period. Transfer: CSU.

FASH 199 COSTUMING FOR THEATRICAL PRODUCTION
Units (Letter grade) 3; Class Hours: Minimum of 48 lecture hours/semester; Recommended: Eligibility for READ 836, and ENGL 836 or ESL 400; Prerequisite(s): FASH 110 or equivalent sewing experience. Description: Learn to create costumes for an actual theatrical production. All aspects of theater costuming are utilized, including script analysis, design, pattern development, fitting, construction and alterations. Transfer: CSU.

FASH 225 APPAREL ANALYSIS
Units (Grade Option) 3; Class Hours: Minimum of 48 lecture hours/semester; Recommended: Eligibility for READ 836, and ENGL 836 or ESL 400; Prerequisite(s): None. Description: Provides students with an overview of the apparel production cycle: how apparel products are designed, created, and distributed. Students analyze garment design and construction features in order to understand their relationship to apparel cost and quality. Style terminology, sizing, price points, fabric choices, sustainability and other factors in apparel production are also discussed. Transfer: CSU.

FASH 226 VISUAL MERCHANDISING AND DISPLAY
Units (Grade Option) 3; Class Hours: Minimum of 48 lecture hours/semester; Recommended: Eligibility for READ 836, and ENGL 836 or ESL 400; Prerequisite(s): None. Description: Explores the visual merchandising and display methods used within the fashion and related industries and the role each method plays in these industries. Introduces the equipment, materials and techniques used to create dynamic visual displays. Students critique and create visual displays and visual merchandising materials. Transfer: CSU.

FASH 228 FASHION SHOW PRODUCTION
Units (Grade Option) 3; Class Hours: Minimum of 48 lecture hours/semester; Recommended: Eligibility for READ 836, and ENGL 836 or ESL 400; Prerequisite(s): None. Description: Plan, prepare and present fashion information through a variety of methods including informal and formal runway shows and written communication. Become aware of the decision making necessary to produce small and large scale fashion events. Allows students to discuss and experience all aspects of a professional fashion show: set design, lighting, music, advertising and public relations, ticket sales and seating, organization of garments and accessories, choreography, models, judging, and hospitality. Transfer: CSU.

Updated: 6/30/11