Learn How to Become a Fashion Designer
Welcome to FFW, where students 6-18 learn how to design and sew their own clothes.
Our teens and kids fashion design classes online and in-person take place right after school and on the weekends at various locations.
Fashion First Workshops, headquartered in Plainfield NJ, offers these classes throughout the year in 6-8 week sessions, 1 1/2 to 2 hour classes: Fall l, Fall ll, Winter l, Winter ll and Spring.
We also offer workshops seasonally throughout the year on school holidays. Now anyone can learn how to become a fashion designer.
And don't forget to enroll in Fashion Summer Camp when school's out!
Recap of our sewing classes
- ages 6-18 all welcome
- no sewing experience necessary
- all supplies included as well as use of our sewing machines
- students take home the project they created
- all students help plan and set up for their very own fashion runway show, where
- the students model their design! All are welcome.
- beginners welcome, classes indicate the skill level needed to register for the class.
- read all class policies prior to registration
- have fun learning how to become a fashion designer!
Upcoming Kids Fashion Design Classes
Upcoming Events
-
Madison 1.5 Hour Private Lessons
December 23, 2023 - December 31, 2024
9:00 am - 6:00 pm
Description:
Interested in private lessons for kids, teens, or adults? Our students start with basic sewing lessons and learn to make a unique item. We find a time that works best with your busy schedule.
- Beginner Sewing Instruction- like Sewing Machine Operation And A Basic Project Like A Tote Bag
Or Throw Pillow! - Intermediate Sewing Skills- for Example, Sewing Clothing Such As Skirts, Dresses And Basic
Pants! - Advanced Sewing Techniques- such As Inserting A Zipper, Sewing An Inset Sleeve, Or Creating A
Blind Hem. - How To Use Your Sewing Machine- bring In Your Machine For A Lesson On Threading, Machine
Functions, And That Temperamental Bobbin! We Will Cover All Of The Basics Of Set Up And Machine Use With You. - Simple Pattern Making And Draping- Our Knowledgeable Instructors Can Show You How Your Body
Measurements Can Be Made Into A Basic Pattern Or Sloper. We Can Also Teach The Basics Of Draping On A Dress
Form. - Fashion Sketching And Illustration-from The Basic Croquis (Fashion Figure) To Fabric Rendering Our
Teachers Can Take Your Sketching Skills To The Next Level! - Hand Sewing Instruction-learn To Sew With A Needle And Thread And Attach Buttons, Hem Pants, Or
Learn A Basic Running Stitch.
Information:
- EMAIL US WITH THE DATE AND TIME YOU ARE LOOKING FOR SO WE CAN CONFIRM IT BEFORE YOU REGISTER
- Private 1.5-hour Lesson
- $80.00 per class
-
Drawstring Top – Fashion First Workshop – Spring 2024 - Ages 10+
March 6, 2024 - April 17, 2024
5:30 pm - 6:45 pm
Join us and create a Spring Drawstring Top
Our student designers will explore and Recreate a classic silhouette!
Information
- March 6, 13 & 27th // April 3, 10 & 17th
- Ages 10+ // 5:30 pm – 6:45 pm
- No sewing experience needed
- Unisex classes
You’ll start with:
- Choosing your fabric, designing and sketching your design (render your fabric)
- Measuring
- Cutting out your paper pattern on your fabric
- Pinning and sewing your design together
- A final fitting & the fashion show (where the student shows off his/her project they made themselves to family and
Friends)
Fee
- $160.00
- Includes fabric and use of machine
Need to make payments? Contact Us about our Payment Plan.
-
Spring Fashion Sewing Classes - Early Class
March 25, 2024 - May 6, 2024
3:30 pm - 4:45 pm
Description
Our beginners who are looking to grow their sewing skills will be able to enhance their sewing skills as we guide alongside them.
For our Advanced Beginners we are going to be making the Trendy Cutout Dress. A little more advanced in technique, our students are able to design and challenge their skills to create the perfect spring dress.
Measuring, pinning, cutting out, and of course sewing. Our students will do it all! At the end of our class our students are able to show off their skills in our fashion show for their family and friends!
Information
- 3:30 pm – 4:45 pm // Ages 7 – 9
- Mondays
- March 25 // April 8, 15, 22 & 29 May 6
Fee
- $160.00 which includes the use of sewing machines and all the supplies, fabrics, and trims.
Need to make payments? Contact Us about our Payment Plan.
-
Drawstring Top – Madison Community House – Spring 2024 - Ages 7 – 10
April 2, 2024 - May 23, 2024
4:30 pm - 5:45 pm -
Drawstring Top – Madison Community House – Spring 2024 - All Ages
April 2, 2024 - May 23, 2024
5:45 pm - 7:00 pm
This spring our designers will be designing and making a drawstring top.
Our students [Fashion Designers] start with the sketch (croquis), technical details, choosing and rendering the fabric, learning the proper way to make a pattern, including measuring each other, understanding the importance of this process and the fit of the garment. They learn how to pin and sew using a sewing machine. Then, they sew the entire garment including the final fitting. Finally, on the last day of our camp, we hold our Fashion Show. During our fashion summer camp weeks, we add fashion challenges (i.e. Newspaper challenges, trash bag challenges), for our designers to explore their innermost fashion taste and skills. Our designers team up with other designers for this quite unique and fun experience. No sewing experience necessary. All fabric, supplies, and use of the sewing machines are included.
This top will be the hit of the summer no matter where you wear it!
You’ll start with:
- Choosing your fabric, designing and sketching your design (render your fabric)
- Measuring
- Cutting out your paper pattern on your fabric
- Pinning and sewing your design together
- A final fitting & the fashion show (where the student shows off his/her project they made themselves to family and
Friends)
Dates:
- APRIL 2, 9, 23, & 30th // MAY 7, 14 & 23rd
- 7 WEEKS
- NO CLASS APRIL 16
Ages // Times:
- Ages 7 – 10 // 4:30 pm – 5:45 pm // New Sewers: Beginners and students that have taken 1 class
- All Ages // 5:45 pm – 7:00 pm // Advanced Sewers: Students that have taken 2 or more classes
- Boys and Girls Welcome!
Fee:
- $235.00 (includes all fabric, trims & use of sewing machines)
Our student designers will explore and recreate a classic silhouette!
Questions email renee@fashionfirstworkshops.com
-
2-hour PRIVATE Lesson
April 3, 2024 - September 28, 2024
8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Description:
Interested in private lessons for kids, teens, or adults? Our students start with basic sewing lessons and learn to make a unique item. We find a time that works best with your busy schedule.
- Beginner Sewing Instruction- like Sewing Machine Operation And A Basic Project Like A Tote Bag
Or Throw Pillow! - Intermediate Sewing Skills- for Example, Sewing Clothing Such As Skirts, Dresses And Basic
Pants! - Advanced Sewing Techniques- such As Inserting A Zipper, Sewing An Inset Sleeve, Or Creating A
Blind Hem. - How To Use Your Sewing Machine- bring In Your Machine For A Lesson On Threading, Machine
Functions, And That Temperamental Bobbin! We Will Cover All Of The Basics Of Set Up And Machine Use With You. - Simple Pattern Making And Draping- Our Knowledgeable Instructors Can Show You How Your Body
Measurements Can Be Made Into A Basic Pattern Or Sloper. We Can Also Teach The Basics Of Draping On A Dress
Form. - Fashion Sketching And Illustration-from The Basic Croquis (Fashion Figure) To Fabric Rendering Our
Teachers Can Take Your Sketching Skills To The Next Level! - Hand Sewing Instruction-learn To Sew With A Needle And Thread And Attach Buttons, Hem Pants, Or
Learn A Basic Running Stitch.
Information:
- Ages 12+
- Send us a Date and Time That Works For You.
- Private 2-hour Lesson
- $70.00 per class
-
Homeschoolers - Design & Create A Drawstring Top
April 4, 2024 - May 9, 2024
1:00 pm - 2:15 pm
Information:
- Thursdays
April 4, 11, 18 & 25th// May 2 & 9 - Homeschoolers
- 1:00 pm – 2:15 pm
- Includes All Supplies And Equipment
- Boys and Girls Welcome
Our student designers will explore and recreate classic silhouettes!
You’ll start with:
- Choosing your fabric, designing and sketching your design (render your fabric)
- Measuring
- Cutting out your paper pattern on your fabric
- Pinning and sewing your design together
- A final fitting & the fashion show ( where the student shows off his/her project they made themselves to family and friends)
Fee:
- $150 First Child
- $120 2nd Sibling
Need to make payments? Contact Us about our Payment Plan.
-
Shorts - SC Regional Park Center – Spring 2024 - Early
April 9, 2024 - April 30, 2024
3:30 pm - 4:45 pm
This spring our designers will be designing and making shorts!
Our students [Fashion Designers] start the sketch (croquis) of the garment, lead sheet. Next, they’ll choose their fabric, render the fabric on the sketch. Learning the proper way to make a pattern, including measuring each other, understanding the importance of this process and the fit of the garment. They learn how to pin then sew using a sewing machine. Then, they’ll sew the entire garment including the final fitting. OUR FASHION CLASSES ENDS WITH YOUR VERY OWN FASHION SHOW, TO SHOW OFF YOUR OUTFIT YOU DESIGNED AND MADE YOURSELF TO FAMILY & FRIENDS!
You’ll start with:
- Choosing your fabric, designing and sketching your design (render your fabric)
- Measuring
- Cutting out your paper pattern on your fabric
- Pinning and sewing your design together
- A final fitting & the fashion show (where the student shows off his/her project they made themselves to family and
Friends)
Dates:
- April 9, 16, 23 & 30th
- Tuesdays for 4 weeks
Ages // Times:
- Ages 7 – 10 // 3:30 pm – 4:45 pm
- Boys and Girls Welcome!
Fee:
- $120.00 (includes all fabric, supplies & use of sewing machines)
Questions email renee@fashionfirstworkshops.com
-
Shorts - SC Regional Park Center – Spring 2024 - Late
April 9, 2024 - April 30, 2024
4:45 pm - 6:00 pm
This spring our designers will be designing and making shorts!
Our students [Fashion Designers] start the sketch (croquis) of the garment, lead sheet. Next, they’ll choose their fabric, render the fabric on the sketch. Learning the proper way to make a pattern, including measuring each other, understanding the importance of this process and the fit of the garment. They learn how to pin then sew using a sewing machine. Then, they’ll sew the entire garment including the final fitting. OUR FASHION CLASSES ENDS WITH YOUR VERY OWN FASHION SHOW, TO SHOW OFF YOUR OUTFIT YOU DESIGNED AND MADE YOURSELF TO FAMILY & FRIENDS!
You’ll start with:
- Choosing your fabric, designing and sketching your design (render your fabric)
- Measuring
- Cutting out your paper pattern on your fabric
- Pinning and sewing your design together
- A final fitting & the fashion show (where the student shows off his/her project they made themselves to family and
Friends)
Dates:
- April 9, 16, 23 & 30th
- Tuesdays for 4 weeks
Ages // Times:
- Ages 10 – 17 // 4:45 pm – 6:00 pm
- Boys and Girls Welcome!
Fee:
- $120.00 (includes all fabric, supplies & use of sewing machines)
Questions email renee@fashionfirstworkshops.com
-
Westfield - Spring 2024 - Drawstring Top - Ages 7-10
April 18, 2024 - May 30, 2024
4:00 pm - 5:15 pm -
Westfield - Spring 2024 - Drawstring Top - Ages 10 - 18
April 18, 2024 - May 30, 2024
5:15 pm - 6:30 pm
Join us and create a Spring Drawstring Top
Our student designers will explore and Recreate a classic silhouette!
Information
- April 18 & 25th, May 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30th
- Ages 7-10 – 4:00-5:15
- Ages 10-18 5:15-6:30
- No sewing experience needed
- Unisex classes
Fee
- $235.00 Westfield residents
- Additional $15 for non-Westfield residents.
- Fabric and use of machine included in fee
You’ll start with:
- Choosing your fabric, designing and sketching your design (render your fabric)
- Measuring
- Cutting out your paper pattern on your fabric
- Pinning and sewing your design together
- A final fitting & the fashion show (where the student shows off his/her project they made themselves to family and
Friends)