Ever wondered what it's like to design your own apparel, create with professional textile equipment, or turn a creative idea into a business? Come be a maker for a day at San Diego College of Continuing Education (SDCCE). On Wednesday, July 29, SDCCE will open its doors for a free Clothing and Textile Arts Open House, inviting local residents ages 18 and older to step into a real classroom, make their own creations, and discover how sustainability and innovation are shaping the future of textile manufacturing.
The open house will be held at SDCCE's West City Campus (3249 Fordham St. 92110), with drop-in sessions from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 4 to 6:30 p.m. Guests can tour the Fiber
Technology Lab, try industry-standard equipment, connect with instructors, students, alumni, and industry professionals, and get a firsthand look at learning in SDCCE's Clothing and Textile Arts program. Advance registration is not required, but attendees are encouraged to RSVP through Eventbrite.
Whether you're a recent high school graduate, returning to school, changing careers, starting a business, pursuing a creative hobby, or simply curious about clothing and textile arts, the open house is a fun, welcoming way to explore SDCCE's tuition-free certificate programs before the Fall 2026 semester begins on August 24. No prior sewing or digital design experience is required.
Visitors can experience live classroom demonstrations and hands-on activities, including:
- Print on a Textile: Bring a physical or digital photo, artwork, or design and watch it transformed into a custom textile print.
- Industrial Embroidery Experience: Design and stitch a personalized patch using professional embroidery equipment.
- Digital Pattern Making: Take home a digitally constructed sewing pattern created with industry software.
- Connect with instructors, current students, alumni, and industry professionals.
- Explore student projects and learn how graduates have launched successful clothing brands, businesses, and careers in the apparel industry during the student showcase.
At SDCCE, students learn by doing, gaining hands-on experience with professional equipment while exploring sustainable, zero-waste design practices. The Clothing and Textile Arts program offers tuition-free certificates in:
- Sewn Product Construction Essentials
- Advanced Sewing Construction
- Industrial Sewing and Manufacturing
- Pattern Fitting Technician
- Pattern Making for Product Development
- Digital Printing
- Embroidery and Digitizing
- Essential Digital Tools for Manufacturing
Many students begin with little or no sewing experience and graduate with the technical, creative, and entrepreneurial skills to launch clothing brands, start businesses, or pursue careers in apparel production, product development, and California's growing textile workforce. Whether students are building a business, preparing for a new career, or exploring a lifelong passion, SDCCE's Clothing and Textile Arts program provides the skills, technology, and support to help them create what's next.
