Fashion Design and Draping
- Level(s) of Study: Short course
- Course Fee:
£395
- Start Date(s): 21 April 2026
- Duration: Tuesdays 6 - 8:30 pm, eight weeks
- Study Mode(s): Part-time
- Campus: City Campus
- Entry Requirements: More information
Introduction:
Course dates:
21 April - 16 June 2026, Tuesdays 6 - 8:30 pm
Draping on the stand is a proven, industry-standard approach to creating new fashion concepts.
It’s a valuable and often playful approach that helps you develop ideas through the exploration of the body and 3D forms.
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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 or work. -
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.
Here's what our previous attendees said:
‘Really interesting group of like-minded people on the course, who were all very friendly. I wanted to learn about draping and how to translate ideas from small scale to actual size. I've enjoyed being creative and free to experiment with different fabrics.' SB
‘I loved every aspect of the course, it was great to be creative. We covered so many techniques, from sketching, photography, collage, paper modelling to draping. I decided to do the course because I love being creative and textiles, and I've enjoyed having a different focus and challenge each week. I've taken away the confidence to play with fabrics and to try new things. I would love if this was a longer course!' VH
‘Thank you Hannah - I wanted to develop my skills to use in the workplace and now I know how to make garments to fit mannequins. Hannah shared interested challenged and the activities were well-timed.' KM
‘Excellent course.' EB
What you’ll study
Draping is a process often used by professional fashion designers because it allows you to experiment on a dress form to see how fabrics behave (the way they sit and hang on the body).
It enables you to see your designs come to life and evolve in a way that working on paper does not always achieve.
It also enables you to make better choices when considering the suitability of a particular fabric for your designs.
On this course, you’ll complete several practical design projects using draping on a mannequin to explore fabric manipulation techniques.
You’ll learn about fabric flow and get a feel for how it can be manipulated to create unique silhouettes.
This course is ideal for anyone who wants to enhance existing fashion skills and take their portfolio to a more professional level.
What will I gain?
You will leave this course having practised various creative techniques of draping for fashion design, and designs you can use to create your own garments.
You’ll also leave with a small portfolio of photographs of your draping projects.
- learn the principles of fashion draping
- consider fabric options, the way it flows and its draping properties
- be introduced to creating draping lines on a mannequin using drapers’ tape
- learn about placement and proportions
- complete an independent project
- transform a fashion design into a 3D form
- consider sustainable approaches to fabric selection
- reflect on how to further develop your draping forms into garment designs.
Student Work
How you’re taught
This is a hands on, practical course taught on the Nottingham Trent University city campus.
Contact hours
You will receive 20 contact hours of quality tuition with an experienced tutor.
Careers and employability
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 School of Art and Design on the City Campus.
You will have access to an excellent range of facilities and equipment in the fashion studios, with industry-standard fashion tables, professional mannequins, and space to work on your hand-drawn designs.
You’ll also have access to our library to use outside of your short course; whilst you can’t reserve or take away books, you are welcome to use them as a resource for research and referencing.
You will receive an email one week before the course starts with joining instructions on where to go for the first day.
Entry requirements
Level: Intermediate
Entry requirement: You should have some fashion experience, either from professional work, previous studies at a beginners level or above, or from your own personal projects.
You must be over the age of 18 to attend this course.
Fees and funding
The fee for this course is £395.
Payment is due at the time of booking - ask us if you'd prefer an invoice sent to your company.
Secure your place with a deposit - If you're booking more than two months before the course starts, we can accept a £200 deposit to secure your place, and the balance is due one month before the course starts.
Your course fees cover the cost of studies, including 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.
Please bring with you to the first session:
- a sketchbook (A4 or larger, whatever you feel comfortable working with)
- drawing materials (pencils, felt-tips, gel pens etc)
- a couple of fashion magazines or imagery for inspiration
- notepad and pens
- something to photograph your work with (camera phone is fine)
- a menswear large shirt you can deconstruct (you may wish to bring more than one so you have extra items to play with. You will need these for week 5/6)
- a large (double or bigger) bed sheet - this can be new (cheap) or second hand (there are lots available from charity shops). This can be patterned or plain, although you may find plain easier to work with and this can be any fabric (cotton, satin, jersey etc). You will need this for week 2.
- All other materials will be provided.
You can read the terms and conditions of booking here.
How to apply
You can book your place via the NTU online store:
21 April - 16 June 2026, Tuesdays 6 - 8:30 pm
Browse all our fashion, textiles and costume short courses.
Any questions?
Contact the short course team:
Email: creativeshortcourses@ntu.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0)115 848 2813