Studying fashion and textile design at North Metropolitan TAFE offers students a unique experience; they are the only courses in Western Australia that integrate both textile and garment design.
Studios are exciting and creative spaces where skills are developed and practiced. Original design interpretations, lateral thinking and extensive research are encouraged. You will learn an impressive skill set that will prepare you for work in the real world.
Our fashion program is built around the recognition of current and future trends in fashion, with an emphasis on good quality design and higher level skills.
During your studies, you will gain extensive knowledge in researching ideas, marketing, figure and design drawing, design pattern making, designing and printing textiles, and garment design and construction.
A career in fashion is rewarding and challenging and offers diverse employment opportunities, further study pathways and opportunities to start your own fashion labels.
Applied Fashion Design and Merchandising student video.
Course list
Advanced Diploma of Applied Fashion Design and Merchandising
Collaborate and create
Get involved in the design, development and production of textiles and go on to develop a fashion range.
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.
Diploma of Applied Fashion Design and Merchandising
Design your own career in fashion.
Gain the necessary skills for a career in fashion design.
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.
Business Planning for Creative Industry Skill Set
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.
"Failing to plan is planning to fail"
If you are involved in the Creative Industries, 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 to meet your specific needs.
Certificate III in Design Fundamentals (Fashion and Textile Design)
Your introduction to the world of fashion
Delivered in our state of the art Fashion and Textile facilities in the heart of Northbridge, 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.
Your introduction to the world of fashion
This Certificate III 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.
Sewing Beginner 1
Learn the basics of sewing
This is a beginner course where 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.
Do you want to learn the basics of sewing?
This is a beginner course 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 or pencil case) 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
Sewing Beginner 2
Add to your existing sewing techniques
Learn new skills and build confidence with techniques such as flat felled seams, French seams, darts and zip closures.
Do you want to learn new sewing techniques?
If you have completed the Beginner Sewing 1 short course 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 Beginner 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