PFI Open House & Fashion Show - Sunday, July 9, 3pm-8pm - Click for more details

About Us

Fashion Education for the Nation

Portland Fashion Institute was founded in 2002 as Portland Sewing with a beginning sewing class for just four students. Now, PFI offers beginner, intermediate and advanced sewing classes as well as three certificate programs in apparel business.

Our graduates have gone on to do beautiful things. They hold executive positions at apparel manufacturers, compete (and win) at the highest level, and run their own thriving businesses. They fuel the fashion industry in Portland and around the world.

PFI courses can help you become industry proficient in clothing design, patternmaking, construction, manufacturing and production. All of our teachers work in apparel and are well-versed in current techniques. We are apparel people teaching apparel people. We welcome you to join us!

Portland's Only Fashion Design School

PFI is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training (ACCET), a statement that the school’s teaching and programs meet rigorous educational standards. Accreditation means PFI can soon offer financial aid and grants to its enrolled certificate career students. PFI also can accept 529 plans such as Oregon College Savings Plan funds, help foreign students with visas and pursue contracts and affiliations with welfare, rehabilitation, and other workforce development programs. In its evaluation process, ACCET noted PFI’s strengths in the quality of its classes and teachers, its connection to the Portland’s apparel companies and its graduation and placement rates. ACCET accredits continuing education and training programs at more than 214 schools nationwide. It was officially recognized in 1978 by the U.S. Department of Education.

In 2022, PFI become a non-profit and is currently seeking 501(c)3 status. PFI’s mission remains “#schoolwithoutdebt and will continue to offer an attainable apparel education into the future.