Maurice Malone is diving into the craft and legacy of “Made in USA” denim.
The streetwear pioneer and founder of Williamsburg Garment Company is launching Denim Workshop on May 13, a nine-week hands-on program designed to teach students the process of making jeans. Spanning digital patternmaking to final construction, the coursework provides participants access to a real working denim manufacturing environment using industrial sewing equipment and professional production methods.
The course is for participants serious about design, manufacturing and supporting domestic denim production. “This is not arts-and-crafts sewing,” Malone said. “This is about learning how jeans are really made in a production environment and helping create the next generation of people capable of rebuilding American denim manufacturing.”
The program will take place at Malone’s Brooklyn factory in Greenpoint, where he produces Williamsburg Garment Company’s jeans. Participants will first observe professional jean construction before moving into digital pattern-making using TUKAcad software and Maurice Malone base pattern blocks. Students will then create fit samples, make corrections, and ultimately complete a finished pair of jeans themselves.
The curriculum covers instruction on industrial sewing machines, denim construction techniques, garment assembly workflow, digital patternmaking, and production problem-solving.
The coursework is designed to fill a knowledge gap, especially when it comes to understanding how garments are physically made and assembled using production equipment. Though some are useful, Malone said most online tutorials are providing incomplete or misleading information. “I want people to learn from real manufacturing experience and understand not just how to make something look good, but how to properly build a product,” he explained.
“One thing I’ve noticed from training interns from major fashion schools over the years is that many schools have industrial machines for students to look at, but the students often aren’t really allowed to use them extensively. A lot of interns come into our studio and are using specialized machines for the first time,” Malone said. “Proper jeans construction requires much more than just a straight stitch machine and a serger. There are specialized machines and techniques used for different parts of the garment, and understanding how those machines work changes the quality, durability, and efficiency of the final product.”
Malone emphasized how the workshop is part of his larger mission to help rebuild the American-made denim industry—and the timing is right. Interest in American-made denim and the “mystique around it is as strong as ever,” he said. Meanwhile, social media and direct-to-consumer websites are enabling small and emerging brands to connect to their customer directly.
“There are more independent brands launching now than ever before. Many of these young designers are building brands the same way I started—as kids with talent, drive, and limited resources, trying to figure things out as they go,” Malone said. “When I started, I learned by asking questions, talking to retailers and manufacturers, and figuring things out through real-world experience. I feel like it’s time to pass down some of that knowledge and help people build stronger foundations for what they want to create.”
Over the coming months, he plans to use his denim blog, DenimBMC.com, to publish vetted resources and supplier information for designers looking to source denim fabrics, labels, trims, sewing equipment, and production-related services.
Williamsburg Garment Company has also begun opening its production capabilities to emerging designers by producing samples and small denim runs with unusually low minimums.
The full course runs from May 13 to July 1 and costs $2,500. Each course is two hours. Students can also pay $315 per session. Malone said interest is strong. “Keeping the class size focused allows for more direct interaction, better access to the equipment and a stronger learning experience overall,” he said.
