Nordstrom and Seattle Central College Partner to Bring Nordstrom Future of Tailoring Program to Washington
The new nine-week certificate course will outfit participants with professional skills in garment alteration, a high-demand field.
Demand for tailoring services is growing, but the supply of skilled tailors isn’t keeping pace. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of people in tailoring roles nationally has fallen 30 percent over the last decade, though need for these skilled services has never been higher. To help, Nordstrom and Seattle Central College’s School of Apparel Design & Development are partnering to launch a specialized Continuing Education certificate course in professional garment alteration in a retail workroom environment, the Nordstrom Future of Tailoring Program. The course is designed to equip experienced sewers with practical, in-demand skills and offer a direct pathway to potential career opportunities in Nordstrom's tailor shops and beyond.
Starting in fall 2026, individuals with strong prior sewing experience will have the opportunity to enroll in this intermediate-level course with six-hour sessions on each of nine consecutive Saturdays, beginning September 26 and running through November 21. The course is intended for participants with a working knowledge of garment construction and the ability to independently operate a sewing machine; it will focus on alteration techniques rather than introductory sewing or garment construction.
"We’re very excited to be teaming with one of the world’s most revered fashion retailers, and a hometown icon,” says Tanya Knannlein, program coordinator in the School of Apparel Design & Development (AD&D) at Seattle Central College. “AD&D is widely known for technical rigor and exacting standards, and this nine-week certificate program in tailoring — guided by the quality and craftsmanship that make Nordstrom legendary — is the perfect addition to our school. For some, it can be a springboard into stable, well-paid employment in tailoring. For others, potentially including AD&D grads, it can be an invaluable add-on credential, providing the skills in fine sewing and altering that can set a designer apart.”
Nordstrom is funding the full cost of tuition for all fifteen students in the inaugural fall 2026 course at Seattle Central College. By removing the financial barrier to enrollment, Nordstrom aims to create greater access to educational and employment opportunities in this skills-based and in-demand profession.
"Investing in the future of tailoring is something we've prioritized for years, and it ensures we can continue offering the level of service customers expect from us," said Jessica Cloutier, vice president of selling programs at Nordstrom. "Doing that in Seattle, where we were first founded, as we celebrate our 125th anniversary, makes this partnership with Seattle Central College especially meaningful. Together, we're creating opportunities for the next generation of tailors right here in our hometown and making sure this skilled trade continues to grow for generations to come."
Upon successful completion, students will have developed foundational skills in professional garment alteration techniques and retail workroom practices, with the opportunity to apply for positions within Nordstrom Alterations, the largest employer of tailors in North America, employing approximately 1,500 alterations specialists.
The course will be taught by Heather Zager, an instructor at Seattle Central College’s School of Apparel Design & Development, as well as founder and owner of Made Apparel Services. The curriculum is co-created by Nordstrom and Seattle Central College. Over nine weeks, students will build proficiency across the full alteration process, from garment evaluation and planning through professional finishing, including hemming jeans and casual pants, taking in and letting out seams, and alterations to shirts, skirts, dresses, jackets, and blazers.
Individuals who are considering applying are invited to attend one of two virtual information sessions:
Thursday, August 13 at 6:30pm (via Zoom, register here)
Monday, August 24 at 6:30pm (via Zoom, register here)
Individuals ready to apply for the program can take the first step by completing an online skills assessment here.