What is the Alter & Earn Training?
Red Shawl’s “Alter and Earn” training program is a customized 11-week course that provides developing skills in clothing alteration. The first 10 weeks will focus on acquiring essential tools in sewing. The last class will focus on giving the participants information on how to start a home-based business, preparing a business plan and options available for funding their new venture. The classes will run for a duration of 3 hours. This training will familiarize the students with both residential and industrial sewing machines and provide hands-on experience altering pants, skirts and blouses.

How does the training work?
Building skills by focusing on the concepts and terminology used within the industry.
Each candidate will develop a portfolio, with photos of their work and create a “look book” for themselves which will feature their best work for future endeavours.
The candidates will choose their own niche market like school/hospital uniforms, lady’s clothing, men’s clothing, kids clothing etc.

Benefits after “Alter & Earn” training?
Alter & Earn Training is just the start, after the training candidates can:
Simply continue or start work with a retailer as an Alteration Seamstress and keep updating their portfolio regularly.
Start a home-based business as an Alteration Seamstress.
Take full courses for tailoring.
Go to school for fashion design.

Women with a flair for fashion and design and who want to learn about fashion techniques, running and managing a fashion business. The following criteria are required to qualify for the training:

Women with low income – earning $10 or less per hour or get insufficient working hours (less than 20 hours per week). Immigrant women.