Apparel Designer Certificate

Fashion Education for the Nation

Portland Fashion Institute was founded in 2002 as Portland Sewing with a beginning sewing class for just four students. Now, PFI offers beginner, intermediate and advanced sewing classes as well as three certificate programs in apparel business.

PFI graduates have gone on to do beautiful things. They hold executive positions at apparel manufacturers, compete (and win) at the highest level, and run their own thriving businesses. They fuel the fashion industry in Portland and around the world.

PFI courses can help you become industry proficient in clothing design, patternmaking, construction, manufacturing and production. All of our teachers work in apparel and are well-versed in current techniques. We are apparel people teaching apparel people. We welcome you to join us!

PFI Mission Statement

Portland Fashion Institute is a nonprofit fashion design school with a mission to introduce creative people to the apparel skills they need to get a job or better job in the industry — or to simply enjoy a more productive life.  We believe in a debt free education while promoting a diverse, progressive, sustainable and ethical industry.  Our goals:

— Changing people’s lives. Making fashion dreams come true.

— Real skills, real jobs, real world knowledge