Fashion and Textile Design

Learn to design in the creative and cultural heart of the city.

North Metropolitan TAFE’s well established fashion department offers a stimulating design space that combines creativity with the underpinning practical skills necessary for success in an exciting and challenging industry.

The Advanced Diploma builds on the skills you've gained from the Diploma of Applied Fashion Design and Merchandising.  You will learn in simulated workplace design studios where original design interpretations, lateral thinking and extensive research are encouraged.

During this course you'll be given the opportunity to get involved in our creative community by participating in collaborations across various learning areas such as product design, jewellery design, graphic design and visual art; and gain real industry experience through our work placement programs.

On completion you’ll have an impressive skill set preparing you for further study or work in the real world. 

Please note: the Diploma of Applied Fashion Design and Merchandising(opens in a new tab) contains pre-requisite units for this Advanced Diploma course, it is therefore strongly recommended that you have completed the Diploma of Applied Fashion and Merchandising (or equivalent) before applying for this course.

This course is only offered in semester one of each year.

Start on the runway to a successful career in the fashion industry

Learn to design in the creative and cultural heart of the city. North Metro TAFE’s well established fashion department offers a stimulating design space that combines creativity with the underpinning practical skills necessary for success in an exciting and challenging industry.

The Diploma of Applied Fashion Design and Merchandising begins with the necessary skills for a career in fashion design, such as sewing, pattern cutting, screen printing, digital design skills and fashion drawing. You will learn in simulated workplace design studios where original design interpretations, lateral thinking and extensive research are encouraged.

During this course you'll be given the opportunity to get involved in our creative community by participating in collaborations across various learning areas such as product design, jewellery design, graphic design and visual art; and gain real industry experience through our work placement programs.

On completion you’ll have an impressive skill set preparing you for further study or work in the real world. 

This course is only offered in semester one of each year.

Your introduction to the world of fashion

This Certificate III in Design Fundamentals (Fashion and Textile Design) course is your introduction to the world of Fashion and Textile Design. North Metropolitan TAFE's program is delivered in our state of the art Fashion and Textile facilities in the heart of Northbridge and the Cultural Centre of Perth offering great exposure to industry.

We are the only training provider in WA offering a vocational course in textile design as well as exposing students to the full range of fashion design skills  and a studio facility.

Successful completion of this course can lead directly into the MST50119 Diploma of Applied Fashion Design and Merchandising.

Give yourself the best chance at being a success story

If you are involved in the Creative Industries including photography, fashion, music jewellery and visual arts, are self-employed or involved in a small business, you need to create a business plan to give yourself the best chance at being a success story.

This skill set covers the essentials required to create a successful, profitable business and is designed for creative thinking people. From big picture thinking through to your daily tasks, your resulting business plan will be relevant, effective and practical - designed by you to meet your specific needs.

Learn how to create your own fashion designs

In this 12 month course you will learn sewing skills, how to read and alter patterns, and how to create your own clothes. You will also learn the language of sewing and design.

When you finish the Certificate II in EAL (Employment) you will be ready for gaining employment using English, or for further study in the fashion field.

Get ahead in your fashion career with this extension skill set

If you are a graduate of North Metropolitan TAFE's Fashion and Textile Design course and  would like to establish yourself in the fashion industry, this fashion masterclass will help you on your way.
It is designed to extend and enhance current skills and knowledge; particularly in the areas of ready to wear garment and textile design, as well as broaden effective collaboration and communication skills. You'll gain skills to evaluate your own professional development in a specialised context.

You'll have access to current industry standard equipment for your work and will have opportunities for collaboration with others in order to achieve your goals.
Come along to be supported by lecturer knowledge as well as gain an industry appropriate skill mix to help secure employment.

Bridge the gap between education and the fashion industry

This course is designed to bridge the gap between education and industry, providing support and mentoring to Fashion graduates.

You will have the opportunity to undertake a specialised, self directed creative project with the guidance of an experienced fashion and textile design lecturer.

You'll have access to the world class facilities, including screen printing, access to digital fabric printing, brand new machine knitting equipment and industrial machinery for garment construction.

Discover the features and versatility of a knitting machine

You'll gain the skills needed to respond to the demand for diverse and bespoke textile applications in the local fashion industry and community of makers.
Machine knitting is a skill that is widely used in the international fashion industry. You'll be introduced to the functionality and features of knitting machines, learning how to set them up, and how to cast on and off. By the time you finish this course you'll have completed a range of knitted samples using techniques such as Fairisle, tuck and slip stitch, lace holes, ladders, colour changing and fringing.

This course is open to current Fashion and Textile Design students, fashion school graduates, textile designers and local community members.

Do you want to learn the basics of sewing?

This beginner course is open to anyone who wants to learn how to sew. You will learn some basic sewing machine techniques, how to thread a sewing machine and wind thread to a bobbin, as well as how to lay and cut your fabric. You will also learn how to sew a basic garment such as elastic waisted pants or shorts.

There are no prerequisites and the course runs for 6 sessions.

Dress requirements
You must wear enclosed shoes e.g. sneakers or leather type shoes.

What to Bring
Please do not purchase any items until your course has been confirmed. In the first session, the lecturer will advise you of the quantity and type of fabrics that you will need to purchase for week 2 (tote bag) and week 3 (your sewing project). From week two you will also need to bring along:

• Tape measure (the soft flexible type)
• Fabric marker
• Quick unpick
• Pins and pin cushion
• Fabric scissors
• General paper scissors
• Pen, pencil, ruler, eraser and display book for notes
• A box or container or bag to keep items in

Do you want to learn new sewing techniques?

If you have completed Sewing 1 or already have basic sewing and cutting skills then you can enrol in Beginner Sewing 2 where you will learn new skills and build confidence with different construction techniques.

During this course you will:

• Construct a unisex pyjama shirt continuing on from the project covered in Sewing 1
• Incorporate new techniques such as button holes, button stand, interfacing, patch pockets, sleeve and collar construction

Dress requirements
You must wear enclosed shoes e.g. sneakers or leather type shoes.

What to Bring
For your first lesson you will need:

• 100% cotton fabric with no stretch - either 2.2 metres for short sleeve pyjama option or 2.6 metres for long sleeve option

From week two you will also need to bring along:

• Tape measure (the soft flexible type)
• Fabric marker
• Quick unpick
• Pins and pin cushion
• Fabric scissors
• General paper scissors
• Pen, pencil, ruler, eraser and display book for notes
• A box or container or bag to keep items in

Do you want to learn how to sew a bomber jacket?

If you have completed Sewing 2 or have equivalent sewing knowledge, then you can enrol in Sewing 3! Learn how to make a lined bomber jacket and develop new sewing skills with more advanced construction techniques.

During this course you will:

• Construct a lined bomber jacket with a zip and a welt pocket.
• Incorporate new techniques such as lining and facing, open end zipper application, welt pockets and ribbing cuff and collar construction.

Dress requirements

You must wear enclosed shoes e.g. sneakers or leather type shoes.

What to Bring

For your first lesson you will need:

• 3 metres of medium weight 100% cotton fabric with no stretch for the outer shell of jacket

From week two you will also need to bring along:

• 2 metres of lining fabric
• 1 open ended jacket zip (length TBC)
• Tape measure (the soft flexible type)
• Fabric marker
• Quick unpick
• Pins and pin cushion
• Fabric scissors
• General paper scissors
• Pen, pencil, ruler, eraser and display book for notes
• A box or container or bag to keep items in