Apparel Design and Manufacturing Equipment

ADM major students who are taking ADM fashion studio courses are required to purchase/or have their own iron, sewing machine, serger, and laptop. 

Timeline: First-year students are required to purchase a laptop, sewing machine, iron, and ironing board (ADM 1301 and 1303). Second-year students are required to purchase a serger (ADM 1304, ADM 2308). Students in their second, third, or fourth year of the program will be required to purchase a dress form in the event courses return to virtual delivery.

Required equipment for the listed ADM courses must be acquired by the third class day. It is the student's responsibility to order equipment in a timely manner and be prepared for classes. 

For questions about equipment, please contact ADM Program Director, Assistant Professor, Ashley Rougeaux-Burnes, MFA. Email ashley.rougeaux-burnes@ttu.edu.

Irons

Required irons must have the following functions: steam function and temperature control for various fabrics. The iron can be any brand.

Department suggested brands: Sunbeam, Black and Decker, and Rowenta.

Sewing Machines

Required sewing machine must have following functions: straight stitch, zig-zag stitch, stretch stitch, and buttonhole function. Blind hem stitch function is optional but recommended.

Department suggested brands: Singer, Brother, Baby Lock, Janome, Bernina, or JUKI.

Note: This is not an exhaustive list. Models listed below fit the requirements, but do not represent all qualifying machines. 

• Budget-Friendly Sewing Machine:
  • Singer 4423 Heavy Duty Sewing Machine
  • Brother ST150HDH Sewing Machine
  • Brother GX37
• Best Value Sewing Machine:
  • Brother HC1850
  • Brother XR9550 
  • Brother CS7000i
  • JUKI HZL-K85 
  • Bernette 35 Swiss Design Sewing Machine
• High Quality Sewing Machine:
  • Singer 9960 Sewing and Quilting Machine
  • Baby Lock Jubilant 
  • JUKI HZL-F300

These machines can be found on Amazon.com or at the respective brand's websites. Some of these brands are also sold at Joann.com or in Joann stores (previously known as Joann Fabrics). Baby Lock machines are available for purchase from The Sewing Studio in Lubbock, Texas, or at their website, TheSewingStudio.com. 

Serger 

Serger machines need to be an Overlock Serger with 3- or 4-thread capability at a minimum. Students may also consider purchasing a Coverstitch machine or a serger with coverstitch capabilities. This function will be used frequently in ADM 3310 and beyond. Sergers must also be capable of stitching a rolled hem. 

Department suggested brands: Singer, Brother, Bernette, Baby Lock, Janome, and JUKI.

Note: This is not an exhaustive list. Models listed below fit the requirements, but do not represent all qualifying machines. 

• Budget-Friendly Serger:
  • Janome Mod 8933 
  • Brother 1034 D Heavy-Duty Metal Frame
  • Singer S0230
• Best Value Serger:
  • Brother ST4031HD Strong & Tough 
  • JUKI MO-80C Free-Arm
  • Bernette Funlock 44
  • Baby Lock Vibrant
• High Quality Serger:
  • Singer Professional 14T968DC Serger
  • Janome 634D Mylock Serger
  • Baby Lock Imagine
• Cover Stitch Machines:
  • Brother 2340CV Cover Stitch Machine
  • Bernette B42 Coverstitch
  • JUKI MCS-1500 Cover & Chain Stitch Machine
  • Baby Lock Euphoria
  • Baby Lock Cover Stitch – BLCS
• Overlock Serger/Cover Stitch Combination Machines:
  • JUKI MO-735 5-Thread Serger and Cover Hem Sewing Machine

Dress Forms

Purchasing a fashion design industry-standard dress form is optional for all ADM studio courses.Below are recommended dress forms for student use at home.  It is suggested to email your Instructor or Program Director with a link to your chosen dress form before purchasing to ensure all the ADM program requirements are met for fashion design, patternmaking, and draping dress forms. 

Size 8 (Bust 34-35", Waist 26 1/2", Hip 37"). These professional fashion design industry-standard mannequins should be as close to these measurements as possible. Slight variations are allowed. Home sewing adjustable dress forms (Joann Fabrics or other sources) are not allowed. Dress forms are available from the following preferred options.  If these forms are out of stock, email Professor Anderson (above) for approval before purchasing.

• Dress Forms USA- Missy/Female with collapsible shoulders, Size 8 
• Mannequin Mall – Missy/Female with collapsible shoulders, Size 8 
• **Optional Pant Form- Missy/Female with collapsible shoulders, Size 8
• **Optional Dress Form-Male, Size 38 

Minimum Laptop Computer Requirements

Required
The laptop should meet or exceed the following specifications.

• Processor | 6th generation Intel® Core™ i7 or i9 quad-core processor, 2.4Ghz or greater
• Memory | 16GB RAM
• Storage | 512GB SSD (Solid State Disk)
• Display | 15 inch or larger, 1920x1080 or higher resolution
• Video Card | Quadro M1200, Geforce GTX 470, AMD Radeon R9 M370X, AMD Radeon Pro 555X
• Networking | Wireless 802.11N and Ethernet adapter
• Operating System | Windows 10 or OSX Sierra or newer

Other Recommendations

• Warranty | 3 years or greater
• Recovery | OS installation media
• Backup | external hard drive

Apple Macintosh Computers
Software programs required for use in some courses are only available on Microsoft Windows. To use this software, Windows will have to be installed on the laptop. Students are responsible for obtaining, installing, and maintaining operating systems on their computers.

Financial Aid Application for purchasing a laptop
In Microsoft Word format
In Adobe Acrobat format

Discounted laptops for TTU Students
Dell University Program
Apple University Program

Software available to students for free or low cost
Site-licensed software (Microsoft Office)
AutoDesk Education Community (AutoCAD, Revit)

Assistance with computer problems
For computer support visit the TTU IT help website or call 742-4357.
Limited support is available from the Department of Design IT staff.