Denim Design and reinvention for 15 – 17 Year Olds
- Level(s) of Study: Short course
- Course Fee:
£545
- Start Date(s): 3 August 2026
- Duration: Monday to Friday 10 am - 4 pm, one week
- Study Mode(s): Part-time
- Campus: City Campus
- Entry Requirements: More information
Introduction:
Course dates:
3 - 7 August 2026, Monday to Friday 10 am - 4 pm
Denim jeans are loved the world over, yet many people know little about the work that goes into creating a great pair of jeans - or the impact denim production has on the environment.
But our love of denim isn’t fading and with initiatives and enterprises taking place around the globe, this is a really exciting time for this versatile fabric.
This course will appeal to anyone interested in pursuing further studies or a career in fashion, or for those who simply enjoy making and creating fashion for themselves.
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You’ll be part of a design community in our creative studio culture; one that promotes discussion and collaboration and encourages experimentation and the constant swapping of ideas. -
With a limited class size, you'll have the one-to-one attention you need to ensure you leave with the skills to continue developing your designs at home. -
Benefit from learning with an experienced tutor who has established links to the profession and significant experience working in varied practices. -
On successful completion of the course you will receive a certificate of attendance from a well-respected University
Doing your Duke of Edinburgh Gold Residential Award?
This course can count as your Gold DofE Residential Award and is an amazing opportunity to make new friends and memories. It will be fun and gently challenging, allowing you to follow your passion and discover talents you never knew you had.
DofE participants must book both the course and accommodation on campus for this to count towards your Gold Award.
You must also attend the social events that are planned on Monday and Wednesday evenings, and you must plan and attend your own social activities with other participants on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.
What you’ll study
During this course, you will:
- investigate jeans branding
- design your own arcuate (back pocket stitching) using hand drawings and Adobe Illustrator
- transform your design into a stitched pocket sample, combining sewing with rivet application
- explore various techniques to distress denim and discuss denims unique properties and character
- learn how to repair denim and the importance of adding longevity to our garments
- design a denim bag or holdall to be made out of deconstructed jeans (basic designs with patterns will be available for you to use) - patch, panel and seam structures will make your design unique
- plan and make your final bag to take away, building on our sewing skills and incorporating your own branding and hardware such as rivets and studs.
You’ll learn about the denim industry, fashion branding, design and CAD skills, sketchbook development, sustainability and reducing waste, as well as some valuable life skills such as sewing, upcycling and communication.
Social events
We appoint NTU Student Ambassadors who host social events on Monday and Wednesday evening to help you make friends across the whole of our summer school programme for 15-17 year olds, which are free to attend.
Day 1
- Jeans branding
- What is your favourite jeans brand? Why is branding important?
- Designing your own arcuate - initial sketchbook work
- Creating a final design on Adobe Illustrator
- Preparing fabric pieces ready for sewing.
Day 2
- Sewing a jeans back pocket with rivets
- Introduction to using sewing machines and irons
- Making your back pocket sample based on your own design
- Applying rivets
- Learning about denim and its unique qualities
- Distressing denim using simple techniques.
Day 3
- Repairing denim - both machine repairs and hand repairs
- Sashiko stitching
- Solutions to denim waste in the fashion industry - discussion and case studies
- Applying studs
- Designing a bag using waste denim
- Experimenting with fabric, testing ideas on the sewing machines, and developing creative variations. These explorations will contribute to sketchbooks, providing valuable development content.
Day 4
- Denim and hardware
- Making the final bag, involve planning, cutting out and sewing and applying hard ware trims.
Day 5
- Making and finishing your final bag.
Students will take home a sketchbook showing the development of their design including sketches and experiments on denim.
How you’re taught
This course will be delivered in person at Nottingham Trent University’s city campus.
Contact hours
You will receive 25 contact hours of quality tuition with an experienced tutor.
Careers and employability
The course is designed to give you a real experience of university life, make new friends who share similar interests and develop your portfolio so that ultimately, you can make an informed decision about your future.
On successful completion of the course, you will receive a certificate of attendance, which will further enhance your CV.
Campus and facilities
You will be based in the Nottingham School of Art and Design on the City Campus.
You'll find bright fashion design studio and workshop spaces to develop your ideas and create exciting work.
You will receive an email one week before the course starts with joining instructions on where to go for the first day.
Entry requirements
Entry requirement: You should have an enthusiasm for fashion and textile design and making.
You must be 15, 16 or 17 years old at the time of the course in order to attend.
Fees and funding
The fee for this course is £545.
Payment is due at the time of booking.
Your course fees cover the cost of studies and include great benefits such as the use of our modern library and free use of the IT equipment and software on the campus during your course.
Materials and equipment will be provided, but you should bring with you:
- Sketch book
- Pencils
- Fine liner pens
- Notebook.
You can read the terms and conditions of booking here.
Need accommodation?
Accommodation can be booked separately to the course; the rooms are only a few minutes’ walk from our studios and classrooms, and cost £266 per week, which is ideal if you're looking to be based in Nottingham's lively city centre and want an economical place to stay.
These are single rooms with a private bathroom in shared apartments in Nottingham Trent University’s city campus accommodation.
If you're aged 16 or 17 then you can stay unaccompanied with agreement from a parent/guardian (to support safeguarding, all guests aged 16 and 17 will be accommodated together in the same halls of residence and there is a dedicated Warden available).
If you're aged 15 then you can stay as long as you are accompanied by a parent/guardian (you must book two separate rooms and let us know so we can place you in rooms next to each other).
This option is particularly popular with students completing their Duke of Edinburgh Gold Residential Award.
Find out more and book your accommodation here.
How to apply
How to apply
You can book this course for the following dates via the NTU online store:
3 - 7 August 2026, Monday to Friday 10 am - 4 pm
Browse all our summer courses for 15 – 17 year olds.
Any questions?
Contact the short course team:
- Email: creativeshortcourses@ntu.ac.uk
- Tel: +44 (0)115 848 2813
