Portland Fashion Institute students ‘Sew-Off’ new creations made of unloved fabrics – Here is Oregon

Portland Fashion Institute’s runway was buzzing Sunday with models sashaying before a sold-out audience applauding original outfits that represented the free spirit, sewing skills and artistic expression of the fashion students and members of the community.

The fashion institute’s Sew-Off competition held on its Northeast Portland campus focused on repurposing — or “upcycling” — fabric. The challenge for the 35 contestants: Accept a bag of unwanted cotton, rayon and other materials, and, in five weeks, make a fashion statement to impress the judges.

Outfits were judged based on creativity, craftsmanship and innovation in upcycling. Students needed to use 90% of the material they pulled from a scrap bag, a lesson in reducing waste.

“They take someone else’s castoffs and make it beautiful,” said Sharon Blair, founder and director of the Portland Fashion Institute, the only nationally accredited fashion design school in Oregon. “It’s like Michelangelo looking at a block of marble and seeing the statue that needs to be released.”

The judges made sure the contestants followed the rules for making the garment, but the audience voted on its favorites. Amy Perenchio and Morgan Scarbrough won top prizes.

Supporters paid $55 for a ticket to the show and were able to bid to buy the outfits, with all funds supporting the college’s scholarships.

Tuition to earn an associate of applied science degree at the Portland Fashion Institute is around $25,000 for the two-year program.

“Every year we award a full-ride scholarship to launch someone’s fashion dreams,” Blair said.

Graduates take classes in apparel design and technologies including 3D and AI as well as business planning, marketing and merchandising. Many will apply for jobs in the area, and Blair said the job placement rate for enrollees is 95-100%.

There are opportunities. Portland is a hub for the apparel industry, with more than 40 major footwear and apparel companies, said Blair, who named Pendleton, Jantzen and other legacy Pacific Northwest companies as well as new brands like Hanna Andersson.

More than 7,000 people have studied at the Portland Fashion Institute since it opened in 2010. The Sew-Off is one of many events planned this year to celebrate the college’s 15th anniversary.

Contestant Amber Shrewsberry turned the light blue chambray crepe texture cotton they received into a lined denim-like vest and they made pouffy sleeves and matching pants from a floral print.

Shrewsberry, 39, moved to Portland four years ago from Tennessee, trading a job as a high school and college physics and math teacher to concentrate on clothing.

For years, Shrewsberry has entered costume contests at sci-fi and anime conventions, and posts their creations on Instagram at askcosplaysenpai.

At the fashion institute, Shrewsberry is learning advanced sewing, pattern making and the technical skills to produce a fashion line.

“There’s nothing I’ve learned at the school that I don’t use every day,” said Shrewsberry, who will graduate in July.

The value of participating in the Sew-Off: “It’s easy to make things if you have ideal fabric and materials, but there’s a thrill and skillset to work with what you have,” Shrewsberry said.

— Janet Eastman covers design and trends. Reach her at 503-294-4072, jeastman@oregonian.com and follow her on X @janeteastman.