Course Overview 

Discover how to work with a range of fabrics in the design process and investigate the visual impact of each.  Study the principles of colour and the relationship between shape and form.  Learn how to plan, prepare and manage the creation of garments, and how to meet a design brief.  Explore pattern alteration, allowing you to create dresses of different sizes without changing the design.  Gain the skills to operate tools and equipment safely and effectively.

Studying Fashion by distance learning?

This course aims to measure practical achievement in the production of garments from patterns and an awareness of fashion style and fabrics in common use. You’ll complete assessment to test your knowledge at the end of each unit and at the end of the course you will be required to submit garments for marking, along with a supporting folder of work. Simply include everything specified in the Folder Checklist, including the garment assessment forms, and send everything to your tutor. In addition your tutor will keep other records of your progress, which you can view as required.

Pre-requisites

No previous experience required.

Qualification

ICS Diploma

Support and benefits

• Complimentary watercolours and colour wheel
• Access to a dedicated ICS tutor to mentor and motivate you throughout
  

Key topics

• Design for Craft

Consider the importance of colour in fashion and examine how people respond to different colours. Learn how to combine colours successfully. Gain some practical experience of experimenting with fabrics and colour to create designs.

• Sewing

Learn how to sew several types of temporary and permanent stitches, and how to produce a variety of basic seams. Discover how to correctly take body measurements.

• Dressmaking Processes

Learn how to prepare fabric, transfer pattern marking onto fabric, tack a garment, shape a garment, prepare facings, turn hems, create buttonholes and add buttons.

• Decorative Features

Learn how to add zips, collars and cuffs. Discover how to use hooks and eyes, hooks and bars, snaps, trouser clips and Velcro as fasteners.

• Fibres and Fabrics

Explore the qualities of different fibres and fabrics, and learn how to choose the right fabric for the garment that you are making. Discover how to correctly handle fabrics which need special attention, and how to remove stains, wash and iron garments correctly.

• Miscellaneous Garments

Consider maternity wear, underwear and nightwear. Explore outfits for babies and children. Learn how to attach lace to garments, and how to create pockets and different styles of pleats.

• Embroidery and Decoration

Learn how to transfer embroidery designs from paper to fabric. Explore scalloped edges, ruffles, fringes, tassels, rouleau, piping, bows and ribbons. Learn how to apply beads and sequins, and how to make belts and belt loops.

• Pattern Alteration and Fitting

Discover how to make bodice, sleeve and skirt alterations, and how to adjust the shoulder and neckline. Learn how to raise or lower a waistline, and how to adjust poorly fitted skirts.

Course Code

D46

Hours of study

12 months / 120 hours

Technical requirements

None

Outline

You’ll complete sixteen formative assessments during your course and three projects on completion of your course. You’ll also be required to produce a work folder. Multiple choice assessments can be completed online; other formative assessments and your projects must be posted to ICS.

It is simple and easy to complete multiple choice assessments online via the ICS Student Community. When you complete a multiple choice assessment online, it is marked instantly, meaning that you receive your result straightaway. This allows you to progress through your course without delay. It is, however, also possible to handwrite your answers and post these to ICS.

Assessment Breakdown

• Formative Assessment 1:  multiple choice questions
• Formative Assessment 2:  practical assignment
• Formative Assessment 3:  pratical assignment
• Formative Assessment 4:  practical assignment
• Formative Assessment 5:  final project: garment production. 

Project

Notes

Each multiple choice question comes with four potential answers. Only one of these answers is correct; the other three are wrong. You must identify the correct answer.

Your work from the practical assignments may, if you wish, be included in the work folder for assessment.