EWS ACADEMY

Returning August 2026

Professional Online Fashion Mini-Courses

Learn. Create. Succeed.

Master Bespoke Tailor and fashion educator Eric W. Stiles Sr. is returning to online teaching with a renewed mission: to make professional sewing, tailoring, and fashion education more affordable, more accessible, and available directly to students everywhere.

Registration Begins Late July 2026
Classes Begin Late August 2026
Professional tailoring and fashion workspace

The Story Behind the Return

From 61 Colleges to a New Independent Beginning

For more than four years, Eric W. Stiles Sr. taught online through 61 colleges throughout the United States and two provinces in Canada. Thousands of students were able to study sewing, tailoring, pattern making, garment construction, and other professional fashion subjects from their own homes.

As the program continued to grow, managing instruction through so many colleges eventually became more than one person could effectively handle. Rather than allow the quality of the instruction to suffer, Stiles made the difficult decision to step away, reorganize, and rethink how online fashion education could better serve students.

That time away gave him the clarity he needed. Instead of returning through colleges, he will now offer the classes independently through EWS Academy. This new approach allows him to reconnect directly with students while making professional instruction much more affordable.

“I did not step away because I wanted to stop teaching. I stepped away because I wanted to build something better for the students.”

Why He Is Returning

A Simpler, More Affordable Way to Learn

Direct Instruction

Students will now learn directly through EWS Academy rather than through a college-sponsored program.

Much More Affordable

Teaching independently makes it possible to reduce the cost while continuing to provide professional instruction.

Reconnecting with Communities

More than anything, Stiles plans to reconnect with former students, local communities, and new students who want to learn.

Upcoming Online Classes

Professional Fashion Mini-Courses

The program will feature a growing library of focused Mini-Courses for beginners through experienced professionals. The sample images below can be replaced later with your own photographs.

Professional Sewing Fundamentals

Sewing Fundamentals

Build a strong foundation in sewing by learning proper machine operation, stitching techniques, seam construction, and the essential skills needed to achieve professional-quality results.

Professional Tailoring

Professional Tailoring

Learn professional tailoring techniques used to shape, structure, fit, and finish garments with the precision found in high-quality custom and bespoke clothing.

Professional Garment Construction

Garment Construction

Learn how professional garments are assembled from the initial preparation stages through complete construction using proven industry techniques.

Professional Pattern Making

Pattern Making

Learn how professional patterns are developed, adjusted, graded, and prepared for accurate garment construction and proper fit.

Professional Clothing Alterations

Professional Alterations

Learn practical methods for correcting fit, reshaping garments, and completing clean, professional alterations.

Draping fabric on a dress form

Draping

Study the placement and shaping of fabric directly on the dress form to create, develop, and refine professional garment designs.

Professional Garment Fitting

Garment Fitting

Identify common fitting problems and learn how to evaluate, pin, balance, and correct garments using professional fitting techniques.

Specialized Fashion Topics

Additional Mini-Courses will cover specialized sewing, tailoring, garment construction, pattern making, alterations, draping, fitting, and many other advanced professional fashion techniques.

Simple and Structured

How the Mini-Courses Will Work

Each Mini-Course will have a specific start date and may consist of one or more sessions. Most Mini-Course sessions are just $17.00 each. Students will receive each session by email with a private password, allowing them to begin on the scheduled start date.

Students will have one week to study and complete each session in the comfort of their own home. After successfully completing the current session, they may register for the next session of that Mini-Course and continue building their knowledge and skills.

This step-by-step approach allows students to learn at a comfortable pace, practice the techniques taught in each session, and progressively develop professional sewing, tailoring, pattern making, garment construction, and fashion skills until the entire Mini-Course has been completed.

1

Select a Mini-Course

Choose the topic and posted start date.

2

Register for the Session

Each session is registered for individually.

3

Receive Private Access

The session and password are delivered by email.

4

Study for One Week

Learn and complete the session from home.

6

Continue When Completed

Register for the next session of that Mini-Course.

5

Most Sessions Are Just $17.00 Each

Professional instruction at a fraction of the cost previously charged through college-sponsored classes.

6

Continue When Completed

Register for the next session of that Mini-Course.

“Mostly, I want to give something back to the thousands of students and communities that supported me over the years. I am excited to welcome former students back while introducing a new generation to professional sewing, tailoring, and fashion education.”

— Eric W. Stiles Sr.

Upcoming Arrival

Online Fashion Education Returns This August

Complete class titles, specific start dates, course descriptions, registration details, and additional announcements will be released as the launch approaches.

Registration Begins Late July 2026
First Mini-Courses Begin Late August 2026

A New Chapter Begins

Professional Craftsmanship Passed Forward

With more than 40 years in the custom clothing industry, nearly four decades of teaching, experience with Brioni, Giorgio Armani, Polo Ralph Lauren, and Tom Ford, and specialized bespoke tailoring training in Italy through Brioni, Eric W. Stiles Sr. remains committed to preserving professional craftsmanship and making those skills available to anyone with the desire to learn.

Everyone is encouraged to share the upcoming online class information with friends, family members, sewing groups, fashion enthusiasts, schools, libraries, community organizations, and others who may benefit from this new educational opportunity.