Apparel Design & Development - Course Planning
Seattle Central’s Apparel Design & Development program weaves together threads from core subject areas to create a rich and relevant curriculum – one that will help you get the most out of your time here.
In addition to theory and design work, the program incorporates credits in related areas (like fashion industry practices and portfolio development) to help you start a rewarding career quickly after graduation.
Course Threads
CO Construction
PT Pattern Making
DS Design
TC Technology
PD Professional Development
HS History and Social Influence
CS Capstone
SD Skill Development
| Program Prerequisites |
|---|
| Prefix |
Course |
Credits |
| SD APPRL 096 |
AD&D Skill Development 1 |
2 |
| For students preparing to enroll in the School of Apparel Design & Development who have little or no sewing or patternmaking experience. Introduction to sewing terms, commercial and production pattern development, layout and cutting, industrial sewing machine operation, and professional construction techniques for basic garments and samples. Prereq: Eligibility ENGL& 101. |
| SD APPRL 098 |
AD&D Skill Development 2 |
2 |
| For students preparing to enroll in the Apparel Design and Development program. Intermediate beginners update their sewing machine handling and patternmaking skills. More complex sewing techniques and sample garments are constructed using industrial sewing and pressing equipment. Includes pattern drafting and labeling for production. Prereq: APPRL 096 or permission through successful completion of a skills test and eligibility for ENGL& 101. |
| SD APPRL 100 |
AD&D Skill Development 3 |
2 |
| Required for enrollment in Apparel Design and Development. For students with previous sewing and patternmaking experience. Enhance industrial equipment handling skills for sewing and pressing to complete more difficult sewing techniques and sample garments. Covers pattern development of a bodice sloper and proofing methods. This course is a required prerequisite for enrollment into AD&D. Prereq: APPRL 098 or permission through successful completion of a skill test and ENGL& 101 eligibility. |
| SDBTM 111 |
Business Applications I |
5 |
| Introduction to word processing, spreadsheets, and personal information management, database, and presentation software. Includes creating letters, business correspondence, spreadsheets, tables and queries, and presentations commonly used in business settings. Recommended prerequisite BTM 098 w/ 2.0 or higher. |
| First Quarter |
|---|
| Prefix |
Course |
Credits |
| CO APPRL 101 |
Construction 1: Professional Techniques |
4 |
| Covers professional techniques and methods to construct samples and garments to professional industry standards. Emphasis on accuracy, use of industrial sewing and pressing equipment and developing technical specification packages. Prereq: APPRL 100 and program entrance requirements. |
| PT APPRL 111 |
Patternmaking 1: Flat Pattern and Drafting |
4 |
| Development of basic production patterns using flat pattern and drafting methods. Focus on fundamental patternmaking practices including cutting, labeling and approaches for pattern manipulations. Prereq: APPRL 100 and program entrance requirements. |
| PD APPRL 130 |
Apparel Manufacturing |
2 |
| Survey of the apparel manufacturing business cycle. Includes materials acquisition, production, scheduling, product costing, machine processes and industry standards. Prereqs: APPRL 100 and program entrance requirements. |
| DS APPRL 141 |
Design 1: Principles of Design |
2 |
| Covers the basic design principles of repetition, rhythm, emphasis, harmony, balance, scale and proportion as they relate to garment design. Prereqs: APPRL 100 and program entrance requirements. |
| TC APPRL 151 |
Computer Applications for Apparel Design 1 |
3 |
| Develop Excel, Illustrator and Photoshop skills for use in the apparel design field. Includes specification development, technical drawing and image editing. Prereqs: APPRL 100 and program entrance requirements. |
| Second Quarter |
|---|
| Prefix |
Course |
Credits |
| CO APPRL 102 |
Construction 2: Professional Techniques |
4 |
| Build on skills from APPRL 101 by producing samples and garments using intermediate construction techniques and meeting industry quality standards. Emphasis on industrial equipment use and proficiency and enhanced specification package development. Prereq: APPRL 101. |
| PT APPRL 112 |
Patternmaking 2: Draping |
4 |
| Pattern development using draping techniques to generate basic slopers. Combines draping with basic flat pattern manipulations to create patterns for garment designs. Prereq: APPRL 111. |
| PD APPRL 131 |
Business Practices in Fashion |
3 |
| Examines aspects of conducting business in the fashion profession including industry practices, job categories, professional development and business communications. Prereqs: APPRL 101, 111, 130 and 151. |
| DS APPRL 142 |
Design 2: Fabric Science and Textiles |
2 |
| Analyze how fibers, yarns, fabric structure and finish affect fabric characteristics. Studies include textile history, independent research and visual presentation. Prereqs: APPRL 130 and APPRL 151. |
| TC APPRL 152 |
Computer Applications for Apparel Design 2 |
3 |
| Continues building computer skills, terminology and procedure. Gain proficiency in graphics programs commonly used in industry to produce technical drawings and visual presentations. Prereq: APPRL 151. |
| Third Quarter |
|---|
| Prefix |
Course |
Credits |
| CO APPRL 103 |
Construction 3: Professional Techniques |
4 |
| Presents techniques and methods using factory processes to construct garments for manufacturing. Blends skills in pattern design for target markets and construction for mass production. Continuation of technical specification development and industrial equipment use. Prereq: APPRL 102. |
| PT APPRL 114 |
Pattern Alteration for Fit |
2 |
| Focuses on evaluating and achieving good fit through fit analysis and pattern adjustment and alteration techniques for common body variations. Prereqs: APPRL 101 and 102. |
| PT APPRL 113 |
Patternmaking 3: Design by Flat Patternmaking |
4 |
| Continues development of flat pattern and draping techniques from APPRL 111 and 112. Combines fitting methods and use of production pattern blocks and pattern modifications to create more complicated garment designs. Prereq: APPRL 112. |
| DS APPRL 143 |
Design 3: Color and Palettes |
2 |
| Investigates color design trends and application in the apparel market. Explores hues, values and saturation and basic color theory. Prereqs: APPRL 142 and APPRL 152. |
| Fourth Quarter |
|---|
| Prefix |
Course |
Credits |
| CO APPRL 201 |
Ready–to–Wear Construction |
4 |
| Construction methods with focus on Ready–to–Wear and tailored garments. Coordinates with APPRL 211 to execute pattern designs for specific target markets. Prereq: APPRL 103. Coreq: APPRL 211. |
| PT APPRL 211 |
Pattern Design for Ready–to–Wear |
4 |
| Presents advanced pattern design for Ready–to–Wear and tailored garments. Employs a variety of methods to produce patterns from blocks, measurements, fashion source material and line drawings. Coordinates with APPRL 201 to construct pattern designs. Prereqs: APPRL 103 and 113. |
| PT APPRL 221 |
Pattern Grading |
4 |
| Covers basic principles of grading garment designs for manufacturing. Produces scaled–up and scaled–down versions of patterns using the shift and grid methods of grading. Prereqs: APPRL 103 and 113. |
| DS APPRL 241 |
Design 4: Print and Pattern |
4 |
| Development of surface designs for fabrics and garment silhouettes. Focus on design methodology, textile dye and print technology, Photoshop techniques and apparel industry practices. Prereqs: APPRL 143 and APPRL 152. |
| HS APPRL 260 |
Fashion History |
3 |
| Survey of key clothing items from major historical periods. Gain tools for communicating clothing concepts and understand current fashion trends. Explore social influences and cultural ideals that impact fashion. Prereqs: APPRL 143, 151 and 152. |
| Fifth Quarter |
|---|
| Prefix |
Course |
Credits |
| CO APPRL 202 |
Active Sportswear Construction |
4 |
| An advanced course focused on industry methods and standards for constructing active, technical sportswear, outerwear and accessories. Projects are constructed from patterns designed in APPRL 212. Prereqs: APPRL 201 and 211. Coreq: APPRL 212. |
| PT APPRL 212 |
Pattern Design for Active Sportswear |
4 |
| Patternmaking for active sportswear and outerwear. Develop patterns from samples and sketches to industry standards and for functionality. Pattern designs are constructed in APPRL 202. Prereq: APPRL 211. |
| PT APPRL 222 |
Computerized Pattern Grading |
4 |
| Explore apparel industry standards and guidelines for pattern sizing for more complex patterns. Intro to using computer–aided technology to size patterns. Prereq: APPRL 221. |
| DS APPRL 242 |
Design 5: Line Design |
4 |
| Explore elements of designing a line of clothing to industry standards. Focus on development of boards for line presentations and design of a clothing line for production in APPRL 270. Prereqs: APPRL 143, 151 and 152. |
| Sixth Quarter |
|---|
| Prefix |
Course |
Credits |
| PD APPRL 230 |
Portfolio and Resume Development |
4 |
| Survey course of job search and interviewing strategies including production of a professional portfolio and resume targeted for the apparel design and development industry. Prereqs: APPRL 197, 202, 212, 222 and 242. |
| CS APPRL 270 |
Final Line Design and Development |
8 |
| Capstone course to produce the line of clothing designed in APPRL 242. Includes pattern development, materials sourcing, garment construction and production of technical specifications. Collaboratively produce the annual fashion portfolio showcase where final collections and portfolios are on display to industry professionals and the public. Prereqs: APPRL 197, 202, 212, 222 and 242. |
Work Experience Requirement
| Course Abbreviation |
Course Title |
Credits |
|---|
| PD APPRL 197 |
Work Experience in Apparel Design |
5 |
| Earn relevant work experience and practical hands–on skills through the completion of an internship in the apparel design and development field. Enrollment is open ended and these requirements may be completed any time during the first through fifth quarters of the program. |
Associate of Applied Science Degree
Total Program Credits = 95
Related instruction courses are those offered in areas related to the student's major area of study. In the Apparel Design & Development program, these have been incorporated into the existing curriculum.
Completing this program does require a serious time commitment and dedication. You can expect to spend and equal number of hours working on homework as you spend in class. Project deadlines are very strict and attending class is mandatory. Our values reflect the dedication required to succeed in this competitive industry and make our graduates highly successful in the workplace. We strongly recommend that you work no more than 10 hours a week while in the program and have your personal affairs in order.
Class Schedule
