Industrial Sewing Class at Pueblo Community College Fills Skills Gap

LaDoris Burton

Pueblo Community College (PCC) is threading together opportunities for workforce and economic development through a new industrial sewing class. During the eight-week course, students learn pattern making, clothing construction, alterations and manufacturing. 

The class was made possible by a grant from the City of Pueblo, which funded 14 industrial sewing machines and brought on seasoned expert LaDoris Burton — sewing manufacturer and owner of Designs by LaDoris — as the instructor. 

With more than 45 years of experience in clothing construction and pattern making, Burton is on a mission to revitalize a trade that has dwindled in the U.S. 

“Everyone talks about making America great again,” Burton says, “but how do we do that when the clothes on our backs are made overseas? My goal is to re-establish this industry, even in a small way, here in Pueblo.” 

Burton says the class can fill a growing workforce need and create a pipeline of talent for local companies, such as Fomcore, as well as smaller sewing manufacturing companies in desperate need of skilled labor. 

“There are way more small sewing manufacturing companies in this region than I thought,” Burton says. “I literally have five companies right now looking for seamstresses but can’t find people with the skills.” 

Burton says she hopes her own business can benefit from the additional workforce. She hosts apprentices at her shop and plans to expand training opportunities to high schools. 

“My goal is to bridge the gap, providing basic skills that were once common but are now scarce,” she says.