Course Descriptions

SXP 100 Quality Fashion: How to Make It, How to Deliver It
(Formerly called SXP 105 Quality Fashion: How to Make It, How to Deliver It)
Overcome retailer  return to vendors and/or and customer dissatisfaction by instituting a profit building quality assurance program. Don't just concentrate on inspecting goods only after they're finished—learn how to construct quality programs by building on a foundation of proper specifications correctly communicated when and where they are needed. Techniques stressed are applicable to manufacturing anywhere. Auditing methods, total quality management, AQL, and ISO 9000 certification are covered, and discussion includes independent auditing for continuous improvement.
Recommended as the first course for beginning the Product Development Manager or Certified Technical Designer certificate programs.

Instructor: Bernard Kahn, adjunct assistant professor, Production Management: Fashion and Related Industries; manufacturing consultant.

SXP 110 Global Security and Social Compliance
Learn to navigate national and international security requirements that challenge the manufacturing of private label and branded goods. Successful strategies to gain approval from even the most stringent social compliance programs are emphasized. Special attention is paid to dealing with the compliance requirements of multiple retailers. Current Homeland Security regulations, C-TPAT, WRAP, and other initiatives are included. Highly recommended for supply chain managers and sourcing professionals.

Instructor: Bernard Kahn, adjunct assistant professor, Production Management: Fashion and Related Industries; manufacturing consultant.

SXP 120 Build a Better Garment: Stitches, Seams, and Finishing
Whether you are a sourcing or production manager, technical designer, or product development professional, master the best practices in garment construction and detail writing. Learn about universal stitch and seam terminology so that your specs can be understood in any language. The secrets of proper finishing are included.

Instructor: Bernard Kahn, adjunct assistant professor, Production Management: Fashion and Related Industries; manufacturing consultant.

SXP 175 The Basics of Patternmaking
(Formerly called SXP 262 The Basics of Patternmaking)
This introductory course concentrates on two skill sets critical to producing quality patterns. First, drafting is covered, meaning creating measurements from size systems and or accurate body or form measurements. Then flat patternmaking is explained, meaning the use of slopers–basic pattern pieces. Exercises are used to enforce proper understanding of patternmaking as a bridge between design and production. Recommended for designers and product developers who need basic patternmaking knowledge to judge quality of garment execution and to improve fit.

Have for first session: No. 2 pencils, sharpener, and eraser, red, blue, and black pencils, a 2-inch clear graph ruler; a clear French curve ruler; paper scissors, and measuring tape.
Online/Remote sections: Plain soft white pattern paper, 1 large piece of posterboard measuring 22"x28" in any color except white or black
On-Campus sections include a $20 fee for supplied materials, no additional fee for Online/Remote sections.

Instructor: Bernadette Grinley, adjunct assistant professor, Fashion Design; luxury outerwear and leatherapparel design specialist.

SXP 320 How to Reduce the Lead Time in Garment Pre-Production
Learn to reduce multiple sample requests and late deliveries by developing accurate diagrams that clarify and illustrate fit and finish problems. Learn effective sketching and illustrating techniques that communicate your corrections in any language. Program includes sharing methodologies to reduce development time and minimize costly resampling, saving time and money.

Instructor: Irene Mak, vice president, technical design, New York & Company; formerly with Anthropologie, Victoria's Secret PINK, American Eagle Outfitters.

SXP 350 Expert Fit: Patterns, Grading, and Specifications
(Formerly called SXP 351 Expert Fit Patterns: Grading and Specifications)
Prerequisite: Basic Patternmaking Experience
Instruction starts with how superior shape and form are created when flat patterns are done correctly. We will go through the measuring process to properly measure on a model, then make a custom-sized block/sloper from measurements and proceed to fitting and analyzing the correct fit. Program includes proper grading methods to adjust armholes, sleeves, lengths, seats, torso, and waist fit. Increase your ability to communicate clearly with better measurements and written specifications to get the garment you need from contractors and factories. Learn to control final product outcome and avoid costly mistakes. 

Bring to first session: 60-inch tape measure, 2-foot plastic ruler, three lead pencils, three colored pencils, one paper-cutting scissors, a one-and-a-half-inch scale L-square, and one yard muslin.

Instructor: Jene Stefaniak, owner, StitchLuxe, product development and production specialist. 

SXP 400 The Product Developer's Guide to Effective Managing: Communication, Organization, Integration
This unique program combines the best of business management theory with the specifics of working with fashion-related product manufacturing and sourcing and teaches you to use techniques vital to managing the product development process. Improve your career advancement opportunities by learning to develop clear and concise communications, simplified organization, and use of cross-functional team integration for effectiveness and efficiency. How to apply a holistic approach to managing your product lifecycle is stressed, along with developing a stronger image for yourself through lecture and role play. Students should bring a laptop to each session to complete in-class assignments. 

Instructor: Barbara Zeins, president, Gerson and Gerson; sourcing and supply chain executive and industry consultant.