In Studio Diploma (UK)
Professional Soft Furnishings & Curtain Making
Study in our UK Design Studio for your Level 3 Interior Design Diploma with the National Design Academy. Become a professional Interior Designer!
Entry Requirements
No previous qualifications required! Age 16+ and an interest & enthusiasm for interior design.
Learn How to Create Beautiful Soft Furnishings
This Professional Soft Furnishings & Curtain Making Diploma will provide you with the skills you need to design your own project or help family and friends with theirs, to start your own business or enter a new career and, it will even give you the confidence to move on to study a degree!
As an alternative to flexible online study our live ‘In-Studio’ Course Diploma in Professional Soft Furnishings and Curtain Making allows you to join other like-minded soft furnishings enthusiasts for a more hands-on and collaborative approach to learning. Your tutor will share all the professional hints and tips for the design and construction of amazing hand finished curtains and soft furnishings. Step by step you will construct samples of a wide range of beautiful soft furnishings.
What our Students Say
Course Breakdown
You will study 10 dedicated units during this professional soft furnishings & curtain making diploma.
Unit 01 - Fabric Selection & Colour Theory
Fabric Selection & Colour Theory
This unit introduces you to fabrics and linings and how to choose appropriate fabrics for curtain or soft furnishings designs. It also sparks your creativity by working with colour schemes, presentation boards and understanding the way colour affects your designs. This unit will underpin all your future projects. This unit also includes:
- Recognising fabric types & their suitability for curtain designs
- Understand colour theory, colour schemes and the psychological association of colour
- Understand how to produce professional sample boards
- Identify fabric suppliers and new collections
- Recognise different fabrics and how these would have been used within particular historical periods
Unit 02 - Estimation for Soft Furnishings
Estimation for Soft Furnishings
This unit will show you how to measure windows and how to design window treatments to enhance different styles of window. You will also learn how to estimate fabric quantities for curtains and soft furnishings. These are essential skills you will need before moving onto the sewing & construction methods for curtains and soft furnishings. This unit also includes:
- Survey windows and record accurate measurements
- How to design different window treatments
- Enhance window proportions in terms of height and width through optimum design
- The importance of adding hems and headings and choosing the correct fullness for curtains
- Quantities for plain and patterned fabrics for window treatments
Unit 03 - Mitres, Hand-Stitching Techniques & Pattern Matching
Mitres, Hand-Stitching Techniques & Pattern Matching
In this unit you will learn how to apply a range of techniques to ensure a professional finish is given to all types of window treatments and soft furnishings. This covers hand stitching, hand covered weights, mitred corners and joining multiple curtain lengths. This unit also includes:
- True and false mitred corners and recognise where these would be used
- Hand covered and commercial covered weights and when to use.
- Hand stitches, how and where these should be applied
- Applying correct stitch tension & finishing all stitches securely.
- Suitable fabrics for pattern matching and understand how to join multiple widths combining hand and machine stitches
- Hand drawn or CAD – students may produce either
- Industry standard drawing conventions
Unit 04 - Lined & Interlined Curtain Construction
Lined & Interlined Curtain Construction
This unit will give you a thorough understanding of the construction of various curtain designs including lining, interlining and decorative trim options with pencil pleat headings. You will apply all the techniques learnt to produce sample sized curtains and know how to transfer these skills to full sized curtain projects. This unit also includes:
- Recognising the importance of using fire retardant fabrics
- Suitable fabrics for the construction of curtains and window treatments
- How to construct a pencil pleat curtain with interlining and a contrast trim
- Apply all techniques and hand stitches on a sample sized curtain to a professional finish
Unit 05 - Hand-Sewn Buckram Headers
Hand-Sewn Buckram Headers
This unit will take curtain making to the next level and you will learn how to apply a range of hand-made headings which can be used for both curtains and valances. You will construct valances with different types of hems and a range of hand-made headings.This unit also includes:
- Constructing valances in proportion with window treatments
- Constructing valances with different types of hems
- Calculating pleat sizes & spaces for both curtains & valances
- Constructing a range of handmade headings
- Apply all techniques and hand stitches to sample sized curtains
Unit 06 - Piped Crescent Tie-Back & Piped Cushion
Piped Crescent Tie-Back & Piped Cushion
This Unit covers a specific set of sewing skills including how to make piping and how to insert zips. You will apply these skills to construct a piped, crescent shaped tie back plus a piped cushion with a concealed zip. This unit also includes:
- Cutting bias strips to use for constructing piping
- Appropriate fabrics for tie backs, cushions and piping
- Choosing appropriate filling for cushions
- Constructing a piped crescent shaped tie-back
- Cushions with a concealed zip and decorative piped trim
Unit 07 - Roman Blinds
Roman Blinds
This unit will cover all the skills required to produce a sample sized, lined Roman blind to a professional standard. Learn how to accurately divide the blind into equal sections so the folds are flat with the rod pockets constructed within the lining and no stitches visible from the front side. This unit also includes:
- Measuring a window for a roman blind treatment
- Calculating the number of rod pockets and size of folds
- Estimating fabric quantities for plain and patterned fabrics
- Cut and prepare accurately
- Constructing a sample sized, lined roman blind
- Fitting & the importance of following child safety guidelines
- Cascade blinds & traditional roman blinds
Unit 08 - Padded Pelmets
Padded Pelmets
This Unit covers all the sewing skills and techniques required to produce a sample sized, professional padded pelmet. You will also learn how to assess the pelmet proportions to suit the window and the chosen style of treatment. This unit also includes:
- Understanding & estimating proportion for pelmets
- Constructing pelmets using different types of stiffeners.
- Constructing a sample sized, padded hardboard pelmet including the front and returns
- Display the finishes that are relevant to the different sections.
- How to add decorative trims and piping to a padded pelmet.
Unit 09 - Swags & Tails
Swags & Tails
In this unit you will learn how to design swags and tails in proportion to window sizes. You will construct a sample sized, lined swag and tail, and learn the formula for producing swag templates. This unit also includes:
- The proportions that apply to both swags and tails to enhance the overall look of the window
- How to create a swag template using a formula
- Choosing suitable fabrics for swags and tails
- Positioning pleats on both a swag & tail to enhance the drape
- Producing a professional finish using a combination of machine and hand stitches
Unit 10 - Setting-up a Curtain Making & Soft Furnishings Workroom
Setting-up a Curtain Making & Soft Furnishings Workroom
The final unit of the course looks specifically at setting up a professional work room and includes everything you need to know when starting a curtain making & soft furnishings business.This unit also includes:
- How to set up a work room and the equipment necessary
- Producing a costing sheet
- Charging for your services
- Identifying your customer groups
- Different ways in which to market your business
- How to source suppliers and set up trade accounts
Qualify in Just 12 Weeks!
The Diploma course consists of a first week (5 days) in-studio followed by 5 weeks online home study through your Virtual Learning Studio (VLS). Then a second week (5 days) in-studio with up to an additional 5 weeks home study to complete any project work for submission.
We are passionate about delivering high-quality courses to our students, and we believe that students learn faster in smaller groups, which is why we cap the number of students who can attend each course.
All VLS course material and resources are available during home study weeks. Your tutor will also be on hand to support you through your studies.
Course Timeline
2 weeks In-Studio + Up to 10 weeks home study – 12 weeks total.
Week 1: Monday to Friday in studio, 9:30am to 4:30pm.
Week 2 – 6: Flexible Online Home Study via the VLS.
Week 7: Monday to Friday in studio, 9:30am to 4:30pm.
Week 8 – 12: Flexible Online Home Study via the VLS.
10 x Studio Classes
+ Home Study
12 Weeks Total
Why Study in Studio?
With these skills you will be able to tackle your own projects more professionally, start your own business or enter the curtains and soft furnishing industry with the practical knowledge required to work with your clients. You’ll also learn how to establish industry contacts, where to source material, samples, fittings and accessories, everything you need to start building a professional design community with your peers.
Whilst receiving hands-on advice directly from our highly experienced NDA Tutors, the In-studio course brings together a fantastic mix of students, helping to create an exciting, friendly and dynamic class with the chance to share ideas with fellow up and coming designers.
You may need to find accomodation near by while attending in studio sessions. We’ve put together some suggested local places to stay and directions to our Nottingham Studio below.
In Studio Gallery
Images of our talented Diploma students hard at work in our In-Studio sessions
Our Learning Eco-System
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Responsive Learning, Designed For You.
Offering a fully responsive learning experience our course content can be opened, studied and enjoyed on any device, from anywhere in the world.
Virtual Learning Studio
How do you learn online, you ask? It’s simple: introducing our Virtual Learning Studio, or VLS for short. The VLS is our exclusive, online resource which replaces the normal lectures given in Colleges and Universities.
Students can rewind and re-watch until they are sure they have understood. No frantic note taking and no missing an important lecture! Study when and where it suits you!
Personal Tutors
Every National Design Academy student has a Personal Tutor to guide them through their qualification.
You have unlimited access to your tutor and can contact them by email, telephone, Zoom, Skype or in-person as often as you wish.
Student Support Team
We also have a dedicated Student Support and Administration Team to help deal with any other queries such as payments, student loans advice and anything else you may need a helping hand with.
Our Student Helpline is available Monday to Friday from 9.00 to 17:00 (UK Time).
Group Tutorials
All delivered online via zoom, join NDA tutors and like-minded peers to discuss interior design topics, course content and gain valuable live feedback.
As a Diploma level student, you will be invited to course introduction sessions, interior design discussions and also receive advice on how to progress once you complete your course.
Online Forums
Once you enrol, you will also have the opportunity to join our dedicated NDA Facebook discussion group. Student cohorts will often set up their own Whatsapp chat groups to communicate also.
Students enjoy discussing their design projects, encouraging others and offering advice, as well as sharing work and offering top tips for approaching units.
What Our Students Say
I wanted to refine my curtain and blind-making skills, and the NDA course stood out as the perfect fit.
If you are considering it, just do it! You won’t regret it. And get the most out of the time you have at the NDA and the contact you have with the very knowledgeable tutors.
Janey Keirs
Professional Soft Furnishings & Curtain Making
I was looking online for a course to do curtain making, and the only course I could find with a qualification was at the NDA.
The tutors have been excellent, they have been very knowledgeable and professional. I’d really recommend this course…
Penelope Ware
Professional Soft Furnishings & Curtain Making
I chose the NDA to begin this process of starting my own business in interior design and curtain making and soft furnishing.
For me, the beauty of how the course is put together, is you can actually see your own personal journey, through the development, through the learning, through all the practical tasks…
Sharon Dobson
Professional Soft Furnishings & Curtain Making
Internationally Recognised
Accredited by AIM Qualifications
This Level 3 Professional Soft Furnishings & Curtain Making Diploma is globally recognised and accredited by AIM Qualifications, meaning you can work legally as an interior designer or gain enough educational credits to study a Bachelor’s Degree if you so choose.
NDA is the only design school to be able to offer government funding & student loans because our Diplomas are fully accredited.
Course Pricing
Fees and payment options may differ depending on whether you are a UK resident or an internationally based student. Please select the correct tab below.
Price Match Guarantee:As a not-for-profit foundation, we are so confident in the price of our Diploma’s that if you can find the same level of education for less, we will match it!
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Pay in Full
£2,390
£1,500
On Enrolment
Save £890 by paying in full with UK Government funding.
Spread the Cost
3x Monthly Payments
£550
£1,650 in Total*
Breathe easy. Spread the cost of your course over 3 months.
*Monthly payments include admin fee
Pay in Full
One-Time Payment
$3,225 (USD)
On Enrolment
Make one easy payment to cover the full cost of your course.
Save $275 by paying in full
Spread the Cost
3x Monthly Payments
$3,500 (USD)
In total*
Spread the cost of your course.
$1,500 on enrolment + 2 x $1,000 monthly payments.
*Monthly payments include admin fee.
What's Next?
An NDA Soft Furnishings & Curtain Making Diploma will provide you with the knowledge and design skills to start your own business, the qualification to progress to higher education or why not both! Find out more below…
Higher Education
Successful completion of your NDA Soft Furnishings & Curtain Making Diploma provides a guaranteed place on one of our online Bachelor’s Degrees with a generous Progression Scholarship. Degrees are validated by De Montfort University (DMU).
For those who wish to continue their study at an on campus university, all NDA Professional Diplomas carry a UCAS tariff point value. You can top up any existing UCAS points you may have with points from an NDA Diploma.
Diploma in Professional Soft Furnishings & Curtain Making = 24 UCAS tariff points.
Careers
The Diploma in Professional Soft Furnishings & Curtain Making is designed to help you start your own Soft Furnishings Workroom and Design Service. Like the Diploma course itself, you can work flexibly for your clients around your family commitments and gradually expand your business.
Many of our Diploma students start their own business and then progress to study for their NDA Bachelor’s Degree flexibly alongside their client projects.
Supporting Your Next Steps
We love to watch our students succeed, those that complete one of our Short, Diploma or Degree courses gain access to our Progression Scholarship giving you money back for continuing to study with us.
Alternatively, our courses are built with business in mind, giving you the skills to begin work as a freelance designer in the exciting world of Interior Design. Learn more about our Students.
Save £500/$600
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Progression
Guaranteed
Get Equipped
To complete your NDA Professional Soft Furnishings & Curtain Making course, you’ll need access to the right tools – and we’ve got you covered!