"Do what you love, and you will never have to work your entire life," a proverb my father always reminded me when I was still clueless about what degree to take in my university. Somehow it helped me navigate the path a young me was about to travel; that path led me to complete a business degree.
Do I love business? Sure not. But what I loved was sewing, cross-stitching, crocheting, and anything related to cloth, needles, and threads. To relive my late father's favourite line, I turned my hobby into a business. That is how I ended up taking design courses in Singapore.
Design courses in Singapore
After working a corporate job for three years, I finally decided to start my own business-- a concept store. Years before, I had already made hundreds of tote bags as a gift to my friends and relatives, altered my clothes when they were too loose and baggy for me, and crocheted a few tumbler bags because I was bored and had nothing to do. So saying I am confident with my skills is an understatement.
Instead of letting all my creations pile up, I decided to establish my concept store where I could sell my crafts. Despite my assurance of my abilities, I still enrolled in several design courses in Singapore.
It is how I came across the Textile And Fashion Training Centre. Textile And Fashion Training Centre offered several design courses in Singapore, including apparel design, alterations, pattern drafting, textile and bag care, and even clutch bag making.
Apart from designing, they also have digital marketing courses, like the social media marketing course and SEO course in Singapore.
Among the courses they offer, I took up jacket pattern drafting and sewing, fashion brand creation and management, and basic design sketching for bags and small items.
My experience with each class
I did not take the three classes simultaneously because I still had to prepare for my business, such as business registration and social media page and website setup.
The first course I took was jacket pattern drafting and sewing. I hate working on trousers and jackets because they are too difficult for me, so when I saw this offering among the design courses available in Singapore, I grabbed it immediately.
I learned how to develop patterns on jacket collars and notches based on specific measurements. I also improved my skills in layout interfacing and cutting. And when I say jackets, it includes cardigans and other jacket clothing. The course duration of this class was 44 hours.
The second course I took was design sketching for bags and small goods. As I mentioned earlier, I had already made a few tote bags and small goods like a tumbler jacket.
Among other design courses available in Singapore, I took this because I wanted to upgrade my tote bags to bags that are functional and more organised.
I learned the different types of bags, the structure and components of each, and how to sketch them according to specific measurements.
The last design course I took was fashion brand creation, essential for my start-up concept store.
Like what I have studied at the university, they taught me how to find your target market, design sales and marketing strategy, and brand positioning.
SEO and social media marketing in Singapore
Since my concept store is purely online, I decided to take supplementary courses to equip myself with digital marketing.
So I took their social media marketing course in Singapore. I learned the types of digital communication plans, the critical factors that impact trend and market development, and the terminologies used in digital marketing. Generally, this course helps boost social media reach.
I also enrolled on their SEO course in Singapore. SEO focuses more on boosting my website on popular search engines, like Google and Bing.
This SEO course in Singapore is the most interesting and fresh for me. It was a bit difficult for me because I was never tech-savvy in the first place. But after the course, I finally understood the value and purpose of each article I read online.
Are the courses worth it?
My father always reminds me that education is an investment. Spending some money on course fees and almost one and a half years to finish all five courses was never a waste. They were all worth it.
I spend more or less SGD 700 on the five courses. The course duration ranges between 24 to 44 hours each.
I was able to use and apply all the lectures I received. The modules were also helpful for revisions. In fact, I am planning to take more advanced design courses in Singapore.
Textile And Fashion Training Centre
If you are planning to learn more about sewing and similar skills and use them for your business, I highly recommend the Textile And Fashion Training Centre. They offer a broad pool of courses and programmes for you. Visit the Textile And Fashion Training Centre today.
