Fall 2025

THIS CLASS REQUIRES A MINIMUM OF 10 HOURS OF WORK OUTSIDE OF CLASS PER WEEK. 
This course introduces students to the fundamentals of practical garment design and construction. Students will learn to draft and create simple garments tailored to their own bodies or those of someone they choose to work with.

The primary goal of this course is to provide a holistic, beginner-friendly foundation in garment making, rather than preparing students for a career in the fashion industry. By adopting a “bird’s-eye view” of the craft, students will gain the confidence and tools necessary to embark on a lifelong journey of sewing and garment design as a fulfilling and rewarding pursuit.  By the end of the class, participants will feel comfortable navigating both professional and hobbyist resources, understanding essential terminology, and utilizing the tools and materials of the trade. This course aims to demystify garment construction, fostering a deep and enduring appreciation for the art of making clothing.

Because of the breadth of information and skills covered in this class, the history of fashion and contemporary developments will not be addressed. Instead, our focus will be on mastering the foundational principles of patterning and garment construction. The course emphasizes understanding core techniques and applying them to create practical, functional, and straightforward clothing. While innovation and design exploration are valuable, this class prioritizes building a strong technical base that students can expand upon in their future endeavors.

Section C of 99-361 IDeAte Portal: Garments
Course Location: Hunt Library, A4 Near
Course Time: Tuesday and Thursday, 7-8:50pm
Instructor: Natalya Pinchuk, npinchuk@andrew.cmu.edu
TA:  Ylia Thumann, ythumann@andrew.cmu.edu

Instructor Office Hours: Tuesday and Thursday, 1-1:50pm, 4-4:50pm or by appointment (in Studio A, Sewing Lab, A4 or Dye Lab, A31)
TA Office Hours: Mondays 5-6pm, Fridays 1-3pm (in Sewing Lab, A4)
Sewing Lab (A4) Assistant Hours: TBD (in Sewing Lab, A4)

Course Calendar PDF:  

Course Syllabus PDF: