California School Of Professional Fabric Design

Zeida Rothman, longtime OPEN EXCHANGE lister, offers Professional Fabric Design training in our Jobs & Careers category. See "Fabric Designers Are Made, Not Born." Pat, one of her students, offered to share her story:

When I entered the front door of the California School of Professional Fabric Design, I was taken by the inspirational student gallery. I saw amazing hand-painted and computer designs, rich with color and a vast diversity of design skills. Would I be able to do anything like this?

Zeida Rothman, the founder of the school, met with me, describing how I would be trained to do the designs that I saw. She said, "Everyone can do this—you just need the specific training."

So I enrolled and was astonished on what I was able to create. I think about it now and remember that I was excited and, to be honest, terrified all at the same time. I know how to sew, had done a little quilting, and dabbled in needlepoint—but art? Drawing and painting were all new to me and whether I could do "this" was my question.

I can proudly report that, as it turned out, I really am doing it! I learned a wide variety of business skills, design skills (even computer design), and professional skills. And I now have a my own impressive portfolio full of designs!

Some of my fellow classmates just started working in various aspects of the design industry, both freelance and full-time. Last week in class, Lisa proudly announced that aprons with her designs on them were for sale in Anthropology, a women's clothing store. Liz will soon start working with a company designing children's clothing and Leah has already worked with a start up company designing active wear and is about to add an accessories client to her list. Kate, who started the program with me, works full time now and recently showed me one of the elegant rugs she designed. How exciting!

So the next time you see a child in a flower printed dress, or set a party table with decorated plates and napkins, or buy your dad a great printed tie, it might have been one of us who designed the print! Maybe even me.