Nordstrom expands tuition-free continuing education tailoring program
Nordstrom is expanding its efforts to help train the next generation of tailors.
The department store company and Seattle Central College’s School of Apparel Design & Development are partnering to offer a continuing education certificate course in professional garment alteration in a retail workroom environment. Nordstrom launched the program last year in partnership with the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York.
Nordstrom’s “Future of Tailoring Program” is designed to equip experienced sewers with practical, in-demand skills and offer a direct pathway to potential career opportunities in the retailer's tailor shops and beyond. Graduates will have the opportunity to apply for positions in Nordstrom Alterations, the largest employer of tailors in North America, employing approximately 1,500 alterations specialists.
The initiative comes as the demand for tailoring services is growing, but the supply of skilled tailors isn’t keeping pace. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of people in tailoring roles nationally has fallen 30% during the last decade while need for these skilled services has never been higher.
Starting in fall 2026, individuals with strong prior sewing experience will have the opportunity to enroll in the intermediate-level course in Seattle, with six-hour sessions on nine consecutive Saturdays (Sept. 26 through Nov. 21.) It will focus on alteration techniques rather than introductory sewing or garment construction. Students will build proficiency across the full alteration process, from garment evaluation and planning through professional finishing.
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Nordstrom is funding the full cost of tuition for all fifteen students in the inaugural fall 2026 course at Seattle Central College. The company plans to expand the program to other markers.
"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, VP 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."
