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Portland Fashion Institute -- Oregon's only private nonprofit fashion design college

Portland Fashion Institute is a nationally accredited private nonprofit career institute of higher learning and Portland’s only accredited fashion design college.

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Start Here

Welcome, we’re so glad you’re here.

At PFI you can take classes for fun or complete a degree to help you with your goals.

I’m here for
fun


I want to start or
change my career


I’m a parent
or guardian



Here for fun
I want to start or change my career
I’m a parent or guardian.
Here for fun

Here for fun


DOWNLOAD PFI FLYER

You’re welcome to take any one (or more!) of our 50+ classes, all taught by industry professionals, just for fun. You don’t have to sign up for a Diploma Program to learn here. We teach many skill levels, so we do recommend you start with the level you’re at and then progress from there.

At PFI, all of our instructors are in the apparel industry which makes them a great resource to learn from (and fun to know!). Below are the popular areas of study for people taking classes for fun.

  • Sewing Classes – Get the basics of sewing and get started on the projects of your dreams. Our teachers are pros who know the latest industry tips and tricks from beginning sewing to leatherworking.
  • Fashion Design Classes – Learn to draw fearlessly by hand. Then go digital. Share your vision with the world.
  • Patternmaking Classes – You can’t make a garment without a pattern. It’s your guide to go from idea to reality. Start with paper and fabric. Move up to 2D and 3D.
  • Apparel Business Classes – Be the boss and earn a living from your creativity. Learn the jargon, the people, the process and the path to success.

For this term’s classes & schedules, download our flyer. You can find more detailed info about our policies, including class size, on our FAQ page.

We also offer Open Sewing, where you buy 1–3 hours of instruction in an intimate setting of 4 to 6 students, or Private Lessons if you need individual time with an instructor to focus on a specific project or skill.


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Portland Fashion SupplyPortland Fashion Supply has everything you need, including class-specific kits, to learn here and is open to the public (not just students). They offer a wide array of supplies, fabrics and apparel-specific tools you can’t find elsewhere. Conveniently located right on campus, be sure to visit and see how they can help.

I want to start or change my career

Here to change or start my career.


DOWNLOAD PFI CATALOG

At PFI you will find:

  • Apparel professionals teaching apparel classes.
  • Empowerment for a new fashion life and shows you the right way to get ready.
  • Professional skills and networking that can lead to a better job in fashion design.
  • A belief that school shouldn’t put you in debt #schoolwithoutdebt.
  • Getting an education can be fun!
  • Contact us today.

OUR DIPLOMA PROGRAMS

All three of our Programs were designed by an advisory board FROM four major Portland apparel companies. THEY offer the best launch into the apparel industry at a price you can afford. With concentrated effort, it’s possible to complete a program within two years’ study. The full curriculum begins each Fall but you can start any time. For more about classes, costs, and schedules, download the current course catalog. You can find more detailed info about our policies, including class size and attendance, on the Career Program Q&A page.

LEARN TO BECOME AN

Apparel
Designer

Follow your dreams and create a line of clothing or get a job as a designer at an apparel company. What will you need? A visually arresting portfolio with inspiring designs that reflect a customer’s desires and sell product.

Learn More

LEARN TO BECOME AN

Apparel Technical Developer

Become the heart and soul of clothing. Choose the right fabrics, or make your own. Create patterns for any garment in all sizes. Discover treasures in the details. Control sustainability and quality while directing the manufacture of apparel.

Learn More

LEARN TO BECOME AN

Apparel Entrepreneur

Everybody knows that creating the product is only 10% of the work. Selling it is 90% of the work. You are the one that makes it happen. You know how to get it made. You know how to get it in from of those who want to buy it — whether online or in a store. You are the one to get the money to grow the business and make it a success.

Learn More

CONTINUING EDUCATION

Want to try before you buy and still get credit?  Just want to boost your job skills? Then continuing education is for you. Get credit for the classes you take, even if you don’t need a degree. Useful whether you are paying for the class or your employer is paying.
LEARN MORE ABOUT CONTINUING EDUCATION CLASSES

Portland Fashion SupplyPortland Fashion Supply has everything you need, including class-specific kits, to learn here and is open to the public (not just students). They offer a wide array of supplies, fabrics and apparel-specific tools you can’t find elsewhere. Conveniently located right on campus, be sure to visit and see how they can help.

More from PFI

We offer more than just our on-campus classes! Our Sewing Wisdom Blog has lots of great advice, features, and articles. Also, be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel @portlandfashioninstitute, to take a virtual tour of our campus and view interviews with our seniors and graduates.


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I’m a parent or guardian.

Welcome to Portland Fashion Institute


DOWNLOAD PFI CATALOG

Do you have a student who is interested in fashion but you don’t want to waste money. You want to make sure you are getting a practical education at an affordable price. You want to make sure your student is enjoying the creative life with a plan to have good career after graduation.

From the start, PFI has believed in supporting a debt-free education. We keep classes affordable and break costs into smaller monthly payments.

PFI’s curriculum was designed by directors at adidas, Columbia Sportswear and Nike. The school requires instructors to be currently involved in the apparel industry. That ensures that your student gets the latest information — and networks with leaders in major apparel companies in Portland and across the nation.

Have questions?  Want a tour?  Contact us at 503-927-5457, info@pfi.edu or visit our YouTube channel.

WHAT WE VALUE

  • Supporting a debt-free education.
  • Promoting a progressive, sustainable & ethical industry.
  • Changing people’s lives. Making fashion dreams come true.
  • Passing along a professional fashion tradition. Creating a sewing community. Supporting diversity, inclusion & accessibility.
  • Being innovative, nimble & dynamic.
  • Having fun.
  • Real skills, real jobs, real world knowledge.


PFI programs

 


Tuition, fees, Q&A

 


Financial help



PFI’s alumni

 


Apply here

 


Contact Us

Portland Fashion SupplyPortland Fashion Supply has everything you need, including class-specific kits, to learn here and is open to the public (not just students). They offer a wide array of supplies, fabrics and apparel-specific tools you can’t find elsewhere. Conveniently located right on campus, be sure to visit and see how they can help.

More from PFI

We offer more than just our on-campus classes! Our Sewing Wisdom Blog has lots of great advice, features, and articles. Also, be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel, PFI-tv, to take a virtual tour of our campus and see video interviews with our seniors and graduates.


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Instagram


Linkedin

What classes do you offer?

For class offerings for fun, download our Class Flyer

DOWNLOAD CLASS FLYER

Or if you are interested in a Career Path, you can download our class catelog:

DOWNLOAD PFI CATALOG

For class offerings for fun, download our Class Flyer

DOWNLOAD CLASS FLYER

No. We were founded to offer both “Classes for Fun. Classes for Careers.” Whether you take one class or several or pursue a diploma, our mission is to give you real skills and real world knowledge.

Yes, we have a page dedicated to Continuing Education.

Yes, contact info@pfi.edu to set up an appointment.

No student housing. But there are several apartments close by and more are being built every day. For your search, focus on rentals available in zip codes 97212-97215 and 97232. Portland is a very walkable town. Many ride bikes or use BikeTown rentals. PFI is also located near mass transit, 7 blocks north of the Hollywood Max station or 1 block north of the #12 bus stop at 43rd & Sandy. There are many restaurants, bistros and grocery stores in our neighborhood.

No. With a “class for fun”, unless you have applied for a career program or filled out the continuing education form and paid fees, you are registering for a non-credit class(es) at Portland Fashion Institute for the beginning dates, ending dates, clock hours and costs as listed on the webpage. Your attendance will be monitored, but your projects will not be evaluated and you will not get a grade. You also agree that you have read and understand PFI’s Cancellation, Refund & Student Conduct Policy.

We are apparel people teaching apparel people. You learn from professionals. All of our instructors have apparel industry experience and are employed in the industry. We teach techniques used in the apparel industry. You can take classes whether you are pursuing a career, continuing your education or just want to take one class.

Yes- in the summer July/August. Please subscribe to our newsletter (the form is at the bottom of the homepage) so you will get notified when registration opens for future classes. Summer kids classes are very popular and fill up fast – so act fast.

For those enrolled in one of PFI’s diploma programs, please refer to your enrollment agreement. For others, refunds are available until 48 hours before class start; 24 hours before open sewing or a private lesson starts.  Contact info@pfi.edu  Cancellation policy for Optitex class:  No refunds after one week before class starts. No refunds or transfers after class, open sewing or private lesson starts. Please don’t forfeit your fees! Please let us know if you can’t come so someone else can use that class or lesson time.

For hands-on classes: We prefer you do your work in class. That can save a lot of seam ripping. If you do work between classes, be sure you have clear instruction from your teacher. For lecture classes: You may be asked to do research online to present in your next class. You may even be asked to go shopping!

When students miss a class, they are welcome to register for a Private Lesson or Open Sewing to catch up on their work. You can find both of these options under the Classes For Fun tab on the PFI website.

hen seeking a refund, please send your original transaction id or receipt for the given class. People use different names, e-mails and credit cards. Having the transaction id or receipt gets us to the right registration. Without the transaction id or receipt we may refund someone with a similar name. Purchaser gets an automatic notice as soon as they register for a class and as soon as they get a refund. Our standards are the same as those used by most any retailer. Per the credit card company, no refunds after 180 days from date of purchase. We would keep your purchase on file for use on another day up to one year from date of purchase.

We offer career services for those who enroll in a full programs. More than 80 percent have gone into internships and jobs in the apparel industry and are working for companies from independent designers to major corporations. Of the remainder, some have started their own retail stores or started their own clothing lines. A very few have gone into film and theater. To see some of our graduates, visit the PFI Alumni page.

Portland hosts 41 apparel manufacturers. Companies range from adidas, Columbia Sportswear and Nike to smaller companies such as Hanna Andersson, Jantzen/Perry Ellis, Kroger and Pendleton. All are invited to our career days, portfolio shows and graduate runway shows. Since members of our advisory board and our instructors are hiring managers, they attend and hire from these events or just by knowing the students. It’s been said that Portland is number three in the nation for apparel manufacturing.

Yes. We take Visa, Master Card, American Express and Discover. We also take payment over the phone. Find out more about financing a certificate program by contacting registrar@pfi.edu

PFI doesn’t offer loans. It isn’t supported by taxpayer dollars so it doesn’t yet have access to financial aid. Now that it is accredited, it is applying for Title IV eligibility. What PFI does accept:

— Payment from employers such a Nike, Columbia Sportswear, Hanna Anderson, Pendleton and the many other employers in the Greater Portland area.

— Payments from such places as WorkSource, Workforce, IRCO and Mercy Corps.

— Payment Plan information for full-time diploma program enrollees:

Bottom line: We keep our class fees affordable.

We do expect that the US Department of Education will soon approve PFI for Title IV eligibility. PFI would be able to issue 1099T tax forms to enrollees after that.

Classes must have a minimum of six students. During COVID, sewing classes have a maximum of eight. Patternmaking classes have a maximum of six. On-line classes have a maximum of twenty.

4301 NE Tillamook, Portland, OR
1 block north of NE 43rd & Sandy
BUS: #12 bus
MAX: 7 blocks from the Hollywood MAX station

Monday-Friday: 10 am-9 pm; Saturday, 10 am-5 pm. We take breaks between classes, during the holidays and the months of December and August. Be sure to check with us before coming over during those times.

Level 1 Help Desk (info@pfi.edu)
Technical issues with Populi
Issues with Zoom
Issues with Email Setup

Registrar (registrar@pfi.edu – or call (971) 801-7199)
Issues with Classes/Schedules
Financial Questions
Questions about transcripts

Director (director@pfi.edu or call the school @ (503) 927-5457)
Issues with Staff
Issues with the Building/Security
Issues with Internships/Graduation

PFI’s Online Learning Fee includes costs associated with administration, online class support, non-traditional course formats, and technology support. PFI charges per course or series rather than per credit (as is the cases with most institutions and colleges).

No emotional support animals are allowed in the buildings. PFI does not want to trigger other students’ or guests’ allergies that could be caused by the proximity of animals, or pet hair or dander infiltrating the fabric in the supply store.

Per the Americans with Disabilities Act and Oregon’s Service Animal Law, neither the Americans with Disabilities Act nor Oregon’s Service Animal Law includes what some people call “therapy” or “emotional support animals”. These ESA animals provide a sense of safety, companionship and comfort to those with psychiatric or emotional disabilities or conditions. Although ESA animals often have therapeutic benefits, they are not individually trained to perform specific tasks for their handlers. Under the ADA and Oregon law, owners of public accommodations are not required to allow ESA, only service animals.

PFI cannot ask about a person’s disability or demand to see proof of the animal’s training but PFI can ask what tasks it performs for the person, such as these examples under the ADA:
– Hearing dogs, which alert their handlers to important sounds, such as alarms and doorbells.
– Guide dogs, which help those who are visually impaired to navigate safely.
– Psychiatric service animals, which help those with mental or emotional disabilities by, for example, interrupting self-harming behaviors, reminding handlers to take medication, checking spaces for intruders, or providing calming pressure during anxiety or panic attacks.
– Seizure alert animals, which let their handlers know of impending seizures, and may also guard their handlers during seizure activity.
– Allergen alert animals, which let their handlers know of foods that could be dangerous (such as peanuts).

Under the ADA, a service animal is a dog that has been individually trained to perform tasks or do work for the benefit of a person with a disability. Oregon law uses the same definition, but uses the term assistance animals rather than service animals. Under the ADA and Oregon law, owners of public accommodations are not required to allow ESA, only service animals.

Unlike service animals, ESAs are not automatically allowed in commercial businesses and businesses have the right to accept or deny ESAs.

PFI is not required to allow ESAs into PFI buildings. If a student has a service animal, we ask 48 hours notice before allowing the animal into PFI buildings in order to notify other students and guests who may have concerns.

PFI prohibits discrimination against and among its customers, employees and students on the bases of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, gender identity, religion, reprisal, and where applicable, political beliefs, marital status, familial or parental status, sexual orientation, or whether all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program.

Its conduct policy is part of its policy manual and is in line with standards set by Oregon and national regulatory agencies. It is posted online here.

Yes. We have suggested amounts on-line. But you can purchase them over the phone, by mail or e-mail or in person for any amount you wish. Gift certificates are good for one year from date of purchase and are redeemable for classes or items from the supply store. For more, go to Gift Certificates.

Yes, we have a supply store. We sell fabric plus zippers, buttons, thread and other notions. Our prices are low because of our low overhead. We offer a 20 percent discount to current students. Hours for our supply store are on their website: portlandfashionsupply.com/