Our Instructors

Adrianna (Anna) Aguirre graduated from The Academy of Art University in 2012 with a BFA in Fashion Design, with a focus on Menswear. Since moving to Portland in 2013, she has worked in various niche alteration and bespoke tailoring studios and with local fashion designers. She currently does technical design work for several indie sewing pattern companies including Thread Theory Sewing Patterns. She loves most to teach sustainable construction, alteration, and pattern-making techniques so that everyone can feel empowered by having the skillset to sew and making clothing that fits their body.

After years of sewing as a hobby, Anne discovered patternmaking and fell in love. She won a garment design contest while completing her Apparel Design certificate at Portland Fashion Institute. This led to a patternmaking internship with StudioSKB. She has been teaching patternmaking at PFI and has done freelance patternmaking since 2017.

A graduate of PFI, Jeanessa works in media production for Colette Media/Seamwork. She also founded Rose City Fashion Drawing. She brings these skills to PFI as workshops and a fashion illustration class. This is a major career change for Jeanessa who graduated with a masters from George Mason University and worked years as a data analyst for the federal government. She says, "Leaving government was one of the toughest decisions I've ever had to make, but I'm so excited to see what's next on my journey. Sewing has been such a big passion of mine these last several years, and now I'm elated to put that passion to work!"

Artist, Designer, and Patternmaker. They have worked in technical design at Nike for the last ten years in several categories, including NikeLab and Women’s NSW.

With an educational background in Architecture and Apparel Design, Lisa Silveira loves to solve complex design problems. Her clothing line Wandering Muse focuses on convertible apparel that doesn’t look convertible. This design concept was inspired by her time living in Florence Italy, where she was limited to the wardrobe she could fit in a suitcase for months at a time. With years of experience, Lisa is genuinely passionate about teaching and sharing her knowledge with others. Her specialty is the world of knits, both cut and sew as well as creating fully fashioned garments on home knitting machines.

Hello! My name is Morgan, and I am finishing up my degree in apparel design. I currently teach Apparel Construction, and I've taught Beginning Sewing in the past. I'm happy to help you with sewing a project for class or a personal project just for fun. I can also teach you how to use our industrial sewing machines.

Jason Calderon has worked as a product designer at SAXX, LLC from 2023. Prior to that, Jason has been a designer, materials developer and product developer at S-Group, Exit 21, IVL and adidas where he specialized in global basketball collections. For his own line, West Daily, he has designed and manufactured garments and managed branding and marketing.

Tricia Langman has over eighteen years experience designing for prestigious fashion companies worldwide, including Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, Halston and Donna Karan, Nicole Miller. She create a hand-painted designer gown for Celine Dion for her performance at the Grammy Awards. Her work has been featured at the Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of New York City.