Study Fashion Design and Dressmaking Course and pursue a career or further education in fashion design and garment creation

This Fashion Design and Dressmaking Course will teach you everything you need to know about fashion and dressmaking. You'll learn about the subject's history and principles, how to formulate and communicate ideas, the design process, how to understand the materials and tools you'll need, and how to make your own clothing.

You will learn where fashion has come from and how it has evolved into what it is today in order to acquire a better understanding of it. You'll investigate how changes in the social landscape and economy have forced the fashion business to evolve. You'll learn the necessary skills for success, the various types of professions and specialties in the business, and the advantages of a formal fashion education.

Fashion design is based on a set of aesthetic rules. You'll learn about proportion, balance, harmony, rhythm, repetition, radiation, scale, gradation, emphasis, and contrast, as well as other fundamental elements of aesthetics. You'll see how important good aesthetics are in enhancing and refining creative components in fashion. 

On completion of this course, which you can access online with any device, you receive your certification which is industry recognised. All certifications can be verified via the website, giving prospective employers complete peace of mind when confirming your credentials. For more information on our popular Dress Making and Fashion Design Online Courses, you can visit us here at Courses For Success!

What you will learn with our Fashion Design and Dressmaking Course

• The Fashion Industry
• The Role of Aesthetics in Fashion Design
• Elements of Fashion Design
• Presenting Fashion Design Ideas
• The Process of Fashion Design
• The Basics of Dressmaking
• Tools required for dressmaking
• Preparing the Fabric
• Sewing
• Classic Layouts for Common Garments

Fashion Design and Dressmaking Course - Requirements

The Fashion Design and Dressmaking Course is delivered 100 percent online.

To successfully complete this course, a student must:

• Have access to the internet and the necessary technical skills to navigate the online learning resources
• Have access to any mobile device with internet connectivity (laptop, desktop, tablet)
• Be a self-directed learner
• Possess sound language and literacy skills

Quick Course Facts

1. Course content is structured for easy comprehension
2. Registered students gain unrestricted access to the Fashion Design and Dressmaking Course
3. All course material is available online 24/7 and can be accessed using any device
4. Study online from anywhere in your own time at your own pace
5. All students who complete the course will be awarded with a certificate of completion

Fashion Design and Dressmaking Course Outline

Module 1: The Fashion Industry

Part 1: The Evolution of Fashion Design Over Time

Fashion is vital when people started to use clothing as an expression of their views, and it is considered as an aesthetic appeal to be a significant component of their choice of clothing. The fashion industry evolved by fulfilling the desires of evolving cultures and ever-changing societal values. 

Part 2: Entering the Industry – Opportunities for All

A sincere passion for arts is the ultimate intrinsic requirement in becoming a part of the fashion industry as there are multiple roles than one can play within it. Networking is also vital that must be considered because it gives a head start early on by joining a well-established fashion house immediately after graduation.

Topics to be discussed include: 

• Professions

Part 3: Summary

The fashion industry has evolved, and some factors affect how the industry has taken its shape today, such as the increase in the levels of technology. It is the significant aspect that empowered mass production of clothing as people added aesthetic value to what was referred to as a necessity. 

Module 2: The Role of Aesthetics in Fashion Design

Part 1: Importance of Aesthetics

Beauty is not achieved at random and to design something outstanding, a proper design aesthetic is needed. Following aesthetic values can create an impact, making the other person feel a positive emotional response to the work created. 

Part 2: Principles of Aesthetics

Aesthetics inspire art, fashion, and music as it makes people see the beauty in life. It also allows one to create something out of the ordinary, and it is the balance between untampered art and structured science. Aesthetic also has seven main principles, namely: proportion, balance, gradation, emphasis, rhythm, contrast, scale, harmony, repetition, radiation, and unity.

Topics to be discussed include: 

• Balance
• Formal Balance
• Informal Balance
• Harmony
• Rhythm
• Repetition
• Radiation
• Scale
• Gradation
• Emphasis
• Contrast

Part 3: Summary

A beautiful garment can be created when the principles of aesthetics are followed correctly, as it the attractiveness of the product can be seen by both the wearer and the observer. The principles can affect the design and aesthetics must be used accordingly to bring attention to the garment time and again. 

Module 3: Elements of Fashion Design

Part 1: Elements of Fashion Design

The elements of design must be followed to produce an aesthetically pleasing garment. 

Topics to be discussed include: 

• Lines
• Straight Lines
• Horizontal Lines
• Vertical Lines
• Diagonal Lines
• Zigzag Lines
• Curved lines
• Form
• Tall Average
• Short Average
• Tall Slim
• Short Slim
• Tall Plump
• Short Plump
• Shape
• Menswear

1. Rectangle
2. Inverted Triangle
3. Square
4. Natural

• Womenswear

1. Rectangle
2. Inverted Triangle
3. Oval
4. Square
5. Round
6. Hourglass
7. Combination

Part 2: Texture

Texture plays an integral role in the development of the garment as it is also considered as an essential element of design. In the fashion industry, there are two types of texture, tactile texture, and visual texture. 

Topics to be discussed include: 

• Texture
• Fabric Textures
• The Effects of Texture
• Patterns
• Geometric Patterns
• Conventional Patterns
• Naturalistic Patterns
• Color
• Hues
• Value
• Intensity
• The Color Wheel
• Other Groupings of Color
• The Effects of Color

Part 3: Summary

Each element in fashion influences the look of the garment and its form. It can create an illusionary effect, reducing or increasing height and width. The elements must be incorporated together in the overall design for the garment. In order for the clothing line to have a sense of coherence and appeal to the people and not be compromised at the expense of another.

Module 4: Presenting Fashion Design Ideas

Part 1: Drawing Manually

An essential skill that is used by fashion designers is drawing sketches. The drawings need to be as straightforward as possible for the designer to refer to the drawing quickly, and the time for it is usually limited. 

Topics to be discussed include: 

• Types of Fashion Drawing
• Drawing for Particular Markets
• Female
• Children

Part 2: Tips for Effective Drawing

In drawing sketches, each sketch should be correlated to create an image that is harmonious and stimulating at the same time. The form and construction of the image must also be understood because fashion drawings serve as representations of three-dimensional images in a two-dimensional world. 

Topics to be discussed include: 

• Designing Through Software

Part 3: Summary

The module tackled the different techniques used in drawing or sketching a fashion design. Fashion drawings are a vital part of the design process as the errors made in the drawing will follow the design until its completion. In which, it is essential to take great care and precision when making a drawing, as compromise and mistakes are not allowed when creating a drawing.

Module 5: The Process of Fashion Design

Part 1: Predicting Fashion Trends

Fashion forecasters are the people who can predict the color, fabric, prints, and style of garments that will be modelled in fashion shows and what will be available in retail outlets. Another way of predicting fashion trends is by observing the pattern of previous, older fashion trends as fashion tends to repeat itself, and it can be affected by the seasons as well. 

Topics to be discussed include: 

• Drawing Inspiration
• Translating Inspirations into Reality
• Color or Mood Board

Part 2: Designing a collection

Topics to be discussed include: 

• Planning
• Markets
• Using the Design Brief
• Studying Trends

Part 3: Designing a Single Garment

In designing a garment, it is a must to consider the elements involved in the process, such as textures, colors, patterns, and silhouettes. The elements allow the designer to expand towards more advanced and intricate design patterns. 

Topics to be discussed include: 

• Designing
• Making a pattern card
• Creating the garment out of fabric

Part 4: Summary

The key in fashion designing is to be able to predict fashion trends using the current trends in the market and through means of noticing what the most influential designers are creating. The two observational skills that are important as a designer are awareness and perception.

Module 6: The Basics of Dressmaking

A design brief is the first part of the process of dressmaking as it contains the sample of the fabric the clients wants to use for their clothing. It also needs to have relevant information regarding the occasion for which the clothes are to be used. 

Topics to be discussed include: 

• Designing a brief
• Studying the structure of the wearer
• Designing

Part 2: Selecting Material

Before the creation of design, fabric selection is often made since the choice of material depends on several factors. The occasion for what the dress is to be designed for is the most crucial factor that must be considered. The design should contribute to the functionality of the dress. 

Topics to be discussed include: 

• Color
• Embellishments

Part 3: Summary

The module discussed the principles governing dressmaking, namely, laying out a brief, studying the structure of the wearer, designing, selecting material, choosing colors, and deciding on embellishments.

Module 7: Tools Required for Dressmaking

Part 1: The Basic Sewing Kit

The sewing kit is essential when making a dress it contains the necessary tools that are needed for making a dress. 

Topics to be discussed include: 

• Tape measure
• Needles
• Sewing gauge
• Safety pins
• Buttonhole chisel
• Buttons
• Zippers
• Seam Ripper
• Thimble
• Pins
• Marking Pens

Part 2: Basic equipment needed

Topics to be discussed include: 

• Sewing Machine
• Iron
• Dressmaker’s Dummy

Part 3: Summary

The module discussed bout the basic requirements that are required in dressmaking, such as creating a basic sewing, button chisels, thimbles, and many more. 

Module 8: Preparing the Fabric

Part 1: Types of Fabrics

In choosing a fabric for a design, it is a must to select a fabric that is suitable for the style. Other factors that need to be considered are the season when the garment is going to be used and the quality of the garment. 

Topics to be discussed include: 

• Cotton lawn
• Cotton voile
• Rayon
• Chambray
• Denim
• Knit
• Silk
• Satin
• Linen
• Wool
• Flannel
• Shrinking
• Washing machine and dryer
• Hand wash
• London Shrink Method
• Steaming

Part 2: Other Materials Required

The extra materials that used or may come in handy are usually used in the finishing of the garment. 

Topics to be discussed include: 

• Interfacing
• Lining
• Notions
• Required Fabric Length for Classic Layouts
• Blouses
• Skirts
• Dresses
• Sleeves

Part 3: Marking the Fabric

The marking of the fabric is necessary because it will ensure that there are no mistakes to be made during the cutting process. It will prevent losing track of the markings made, repetition of the process, and the marking of the fabric can interfere with the look of the finished piece. 

Topics to be discussed include: 

• Disappearing Ink Fabric Pen
• Tailor's Wax
• Water Soluble Pencils
• Tailor’s Chalk and Chalk Stick
• Soap
• Tracking
• Cutting
• Scissors
• Dress maker’s shears
• Pinking shears
• Buttonhole scissors

Part 4: Summary

The module discussed how to choose a suitable fabric, the main types of fabric used in fashion design, and the essential process of preparing the fabric. 

Module 9: Sewing

Part 1: Sewing Manually

In sewing manually, it is necessary to have all the materials that are required for sewing by hand and a typical sewing kit. These contain the needed tools for it such as needles, thread, scissors, pincushion and pins, measuring tape, air soluble marking pens, beeswax and thimbles. 

Topics to be discussed include: 

• Threading
• The Knot
• Running and Basting Stitches
• Slip stitching

Part 2: Sewing with a Machine

Part 3: Summary

The module discussed how sewing machines could be done manually or using a machine. In manual sewing, it requires several tools with different purposes. On the other hand, sewing using a machine is a process that is easier for some, as it follows a process. 

Module 10: Classic Designs for Common Garments

Part 1: Dresses

The classic shift dress has been a popular choice for many decades because its features include comfort, elegance, and any fabric can be used to create such a dress. The pattern for it must be according to the measurement of the bust and then alter the hip and waist as required. 

Topics to be discussed include: 

• Dresses
• Classic Shift Dress

Part 2: Skirts

The module will talk about the layouts that are to be considered in creating standard skirts like the A-line or pencil skirts. 

Topics to be discussed include: 

• A-line Skirt
• Classic Tailored Skirt

Part 3: Tops

The classic shell top fits the upper body like the shell of an oyster as it is merely a stitched top. 

Topics to be discussed include: 

• Classic Shell Top
• Long-Sleeved Tunic

Part 4: Pants

The module will discuss a few of the classic layouts of pants for women.

Topics to be discussed include: 

• Classic Tailored Pants
• Tapered Capri Pants

Part 5: Jackets

The module will tackle the layouts of a jacket for women as it functions as a finishing touch to a perfect outfit. 

Topics to be discussed include: 

• Classic Boxy Jacket

Part 6: Summary

The module presented the most common garment layouts for women from classic shift dress, skirts, tops, classical pants, and jackets. The process of stitching a variety of classic garments has also been discussed because each type of garment has a specific stitching pattern to be followed. 

Recognition & Accreditation

Upon successful completion of this course and achieving a passing score for the assessment, you will have the skills and training to become a professional dress maker and fashion designer. You will also be issued with an international continuing education credit (CEU) certificate, accepted by many organizations worldwide.

The Certificate is applicable worldwide, which demonstrates your commitment to learning new skills. You can share the certificate with your friends, relatives, co-workers, and potential employers. Also, include it in your resume/CV, professional social media profiles and job applications.