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Short courses in Fashion, Textiles and Costume

Whether fashion is a hobby, the start of a new career or a field you're already working in, our courses will provide you with the skills you need to flourish. From beginners courses to specialist areas such as leather work, corsetry and millinery, we've got you covered. On our courses you'll gain new skills to enhance your CV and build a portfolio for better work and study prospects.

You'll experience the same industry-standard facilities as our full time degree students as well as expert tuition from NTU staff and industry professionals.

Discover our courses

Beginners, improvers and professionals are all welcome to attend a short course where you'll meet other adult learners who share your interests to achieve personal and professional goals.

Courses run during evenings and weekends as well as intensive, week long courses during the summer.

If you'd like to discuss which course is right for you or have additional questions we'd love to help! You can email us or give us a call on +44 (0)115 848 2813.

CAD for Textile and Fashion Print Design

On this practical, Apple Mac-based course, you’ll learn how to experiment with Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop to enhance your creativity and technical skills to create innovative digital textile designs and patterns.

CLO3D for Digital Fashion Design

This course is a comprehensive introduction to the fundamentals of CLO3D, a powerful 3D garment design and visualisation software. You will learn the key concepts and techniques needed to create realistic 3D garments, simulate fabric properties, and visualise your designs in a virtual environment. Whether you are a fashion designer, student, or interested in digital garment design, this course will equip you with the essential knowledge and skills to get started with CLO3D.

Domestic Machine Knitting for Beginners

This course offers intensive instruction on domestic knitting machines. It’ll introduce you to thinking creatively about using a machine at home or at work, and how to exploit the equipment to produce a range of samples. The course will focus on producing work with a contemporary perspective. It’s ideal for people just starting out or in a need of a refresher.

Fashion Design - Draping and Silhouettes

This course is ideal for anyone who wants to enhance existing fashion skills and take their portfolio to a more professional level. You’ll complete several practical design projects using draping on a mannequin to explore fabric manipulation techniques.

Fashion Design - Essential Skills and Creative Approaches

On this course you’ll learn how to create innovative fashion concepts, taking your designs from an initial idea and sketch to a coherent collection. You'll explore the processes involved in designing clothes for yourself or for others, or are considering further studies in fashion or accessory design.

Fashion Product Technology

This unique course has been co-designed between NTU and fashion industry professionals. It reflects the need for garment engineers and textile engineers to have up-to-date knowledge of contemporary themes in the industry, as well as the skills to handle samples, understand materials and processes, and evaluate production and management processes. It is aimed at anyone considering a new career or career progression within fashion product technology.

Machine Knitting for Pattern and Texture

This course introduces a variety of methods to help you produce unique fabrics that display a range of properties whilst exploring the use of colour, textured structures and stitch manipulation. You'll learn how to use a Dubied handflat double-bed knitting machine and create experimental swatches, which you can use to develop your designs and apply to create a knitted accessory.

Pattern Cutting and Drafting for Beginners

On this practical course you'll be introduced to the skill of creating your own block and patterns from scratch, as well as developing skills in toiling and fitting.

Pattern Cutting and Drafting: Methods of Creating Fullness

Pattern Cutting and Drafting: Methods of Creating Fullness This course will provide you with practical skills in both drafting and toiling, and will use your previously developed body block to create new shapes and silhouettes.

Sewing Techniques: Methods for Professional Finishing

Would you like to take your sewing to the next level? Perhaps you’ve already made a few dresses and even completed some trickier projects and now you’re ready to develop your basic machine sewing skills to professional standard. Come and spend five days seriously improving your sewing techniques on this intensive, practical course based in our professional fashion studios.

Visual Merchandising Now

Exploring the industry's most powerful techniques for captivating your audience's attention, this course will show you how to create displays that leave a lasting impression, boost sales, and entice customers to make additional purchases.

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