NDA PCM Diploma Course Guide

Professional Soft Furnishings & Curtain Making

DIPLOMA COURSE GUIDE

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National Design Academy Head Office and Studios - Nottingham, UK

Dear Design Enthusiast,

Welcome to the National Design Academy National Design Academy (NDA) has been established for over 30 years, and is the UK’s leading provider of fully accredited Interior Design courses. We offer flexible, part-time courses that fit around your work and personal commitments; from Diploma courses to Master’s Degrees. Study online through the NDA’s own Virtual Learning Studio (VLS) and gain qualifications that are recognised throughout this vibrant and lucrative industry. We offer Diplomas in Interior Design, Curtain Making & Soft Furnishings and Garden Design. All NDA Diplomas are accredited by AIM Awards.

Starting with an NDA Diploma course will give you the skills required to design your own projects or to start your own small business to help family and friends with theirs. For a career in interior design you can then progress onto a Degree course with the same flexible method of study. There are no examinations for our courses; all progress is carried out through assignments. If you need help, our experienced tutor team are happy to provide support through the NDA helpline, email or personal tutorial. You can also exchange ideas and share your work with fellow students on our lively community forum. Most importantly, NDA courses are industry-led, we provide our students with the best preparation for a career in design, and the commercial and entrepreneurial skills to start their own business.

The NDA has trained thousands of successful interior designers, many of whom are running their own business or working for prestigious design practices around the world. At NDA we are passionate about design and helping our students to achieve their goals.

Pauline Riley

Academy Director

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Reasons for studying with NDA Accredited:

Flexible:

Affordable:

Trusted:

Supported:

Progression:

NDA believes that all your hard work studying should be rewarded by a recognised awarding body. NDA Diplomas are accredited by AIM Awards, a UK National Awarding Body registered with OFQUAL.

NDA is a ‘Not for Profit’ Foundation, meaning profits are used to maintain low fees and scholarships for the benefit of our students.

As well as a dedicated student support team you will be assigned your own personal tutor who you can contact via telephone, email or Skype from Monday to Friday 9am-5pm as often as you wish.

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Learning and life sometimes clash and because we don’t always know what’s ahead of us, flexible learning with the NDA balances a structured programme with individual choice, allowing you to work at your own pace and still achieve your aspirational goals.

Established for over 30 years, NDA is the UK’s leading provider of recognised Interior Design courses.

Once you have successfully completed an NDA Diploma you can progress onto an online degree with NDA, with a progression scholarship to reduce tuition fees.

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NDA Diploma Courses All NDA Diploma Courses can be studied either flexibly Online or In-Studio.

Online (Flexible): Studying flexibly online by distance learning, makes the NDA Diploma courses accessible to everyone anywhere in the world.

Choose your own start date and decide when and where you study, there are no set terms and semesters.

The Diploma is designed to let you study around your family, work or other commitments and to suit your lifestyle. Most students complete the course comfortably within 6 to 12 months but you can complete even sooner if you have more free time.

Your assignments will be design projects, and assessed by your Personal Tutor who you can contact as often as you wish – you will not have to take an examination.

NDA has been delivering design qualifications for over 30 years so we know a thing or two about online and distance learning.

We have designed our online courses to be flexible and very user-friendly.

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In-Studio Fast-Track: As an alternative to flexible online study our live ‘In-Studio’ Diploma courses allow you to join other design enthusiasts for a more hands-on and collaborative approach to learning. It is particularly useful if you are looking to fast-track your qualification, either for a new career or if you would like to study for a degree.

Week 1

In-Studio

Week 2

Home Study Online

As shown in the course schedule on the right, you study two weeks in-studio, each followed by weeks of home study to complete about 30 hours of design projects, with full access to your course and help from your Tutor. You can be qualfied in just 12 weeks!

Week 3

Home Study Online

Week 4

Home Study Online

Receive hands-on advice directly from our highly experienced NDA Tutors, and enjoy working with the fantastic mix of students on the course, helping to create an exciting, friendly and dynamic class and the chance to share ideas with fellow up and coming designers.

Week 5

Home Study Online

Week 6

Home Study Online

Week 7

In-Studio

Week 8

Home Study Online

Week 9

Home Study Online

Week 10

Home Study Online

Week 11

Home Study Online

Week 12

Home Study Online

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ONLINE FAST-TRACK 8

Online Fast-Track (via Zoom): With twice weekly live Zoom classes, the Online Fast-Tracked Diploma combines the intensive pace of the ‘In-Studio FastTrack’ Diploma and the convenience of the ‘Online Flexible’ Diploma.

This 17-week course is ideal for those students wanting to study from home and speed up their learning in a live environment.

2.5hr live lectures are organised two days per week for a 10 week study period that covers each of the 10 subject units in the Diploma course, one unit per week.

Up to 6 ‘Independent Study’ weeks are included within the duration of your course to complete any unfinished assignments.

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Course Content Students have access to a detailed online resource which replaces the normal lectures given in Colleges and Universities. This provides links to other online resources and may contain videos, images, quizzes and other detailed information.

Student Community

The online “community” allows students to interact with other students, ask questions, share work and gain support from over 2000 online students and graduates.

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All students have an allocated tutor to guide them through their qualification and they can contact their tutor by telephone, email or Skype.

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.

“The panel commended the student support and engagement provided by tutors and noted that tutors were able to respond quickly to questions or requests for support via telephone or email.”

Staffordshire University Quinquennial Review

SUPPORT

Here to Help

Design taught online?

The Virtual Learning Studio (VLS) The VLS is our exclusive, online learning resource which replaces the normal lectures given in Colleges and Universities. This is where you will find all of your course content consisting of interactive reading, videos, images, quizzes and lectures. Here you will also find a wealth of additional content such as how-to guides, software support guides and tutorials and also links to a gallery of former student work were you can find whole new inspiration.

The nature of the online platform means you can work through content at your own pace and students can rewind and re-watch any video content until they are sure they have understood. No frantic note taking and no missing an important lecture! Study when and where it suits you!

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“Everything that I needed was there and very clear... Good as always, plenty of information when needed” Comment taken from former student.

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OPEN DAY 14

Our Open Days are delivered online via Zoom, and they are the perfect opportunity to get a real feel for the Academy and the courses that are offered.

When you attend an NDA Open Day online, you can meet our Tutors, who will explain all aspects of our courses, from ’what’ and ‘how’ you will study, to student loans, funding and payment options. You will be able to see examples of student work for all courses, with a demonstration of how the course is delivered through our online platform, the Virtual Learning Studio. You will also find out about the different study options and how the in-studio and Zoom programmes are managed to fast-track your qualification.

Each Open Day aims to give you a real feel for design, as well as offering a chance for you to ask our expert Tutor Team any questions you may have.

Please Register your interest here.

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Diploma in Professional Soft Furnishings and About the course:

This is the ideal course if you want to design and make beautiful hand finished curtain projects for your home, or if you would like to set up your own lucrative soft furnishings business and workroom. These specialist curtain making skills are highly sought after by interior designers and discerning clients.

If you have an existing business but don’t have the advanced skills required to offer a hand finished design service, then you can enhance your business by studying flexibly around your existing projects.

There are ten units to study which will include fabric selection, understanding colour, designing a window treatment, calculating fabric quantities, construction methods for a range of hand finished curtains including interlined curtains, with various headings such as goblet, triple pleat, button trimmed, blinds, pelmets, swags and tails and cushions.

The final unit shows you how to set up your soft furnishings business including how to cost and charge for your work, how to source fabrics and samples and marketing advice. This is a fully comprehensive course showing you everything you need to know to start your own specialist business.

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Entry requirements:

Students are required to have a good standard of written English and be able to read and understand English.

There are no academic requirements, just a keen interest in curtain making and soft furnishings! Students are also required to have a basic level of hand and machine sewing skills.

How long does the course last?

Online: 12 months

In-Studio (UK): 12 Weeks Online Fast-Track (via Zoom): 17 Weeks

Qualifications awarded:

Externally accredited L3 Diploma in Professional Curtain Making and Soft Furnishings through AIM Qualifications and NDA’s own Certificate confirming achievement of course.

Please note: Diplomas DO NOT state that the student has studied online

d Curtain Making

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What will I study?

Unit 1: 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

Unit 2: Estimation for Soft Furnishings

future projects. This unit also includes:-

This unit will show you how to measure windows and

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styles of window. You will also learn how to estimate fabric

Recognising fabric types & their suitability for curtain designs

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Understand colour theory, colour schemes and the psychological association of colour

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Understand how to produce professional sample boards

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Identify fabric suppliers and new collections

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Recognise different fabrics and how these would have been used within particular historical periods

how to design window treatments to enhance different 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

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How to design different window treatments

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Enhance window proportions in terms of height and width through optimum design

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The importance of adding hems and headings and choosing the correct fullness for curtains

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Estimating quantities for plain and patterned fabrics for window treatments

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Unit 3: 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.

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Differences between hand covered and commercial

Unit 4: Lined & Interlined Curtain Construction

covered weights and when to use.

the construction of various curtain designs including

Accurately construct true and false mitred corners and recognise where these would be used

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Recognise the different types of hand stitches, how and where these should be applied

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Applying correct stitch tension & finishing all stitches securely.

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Select suitable fabrics for pattern matching and understand how to join multiple widths combining hand and machine stitches

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Hand drawn or CAD – students may produce either

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Industry standard drawing conventions

This unit will give you a thorough understanding

of

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

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Know how to select suitable fabrics for the construction of curtains and window treatments

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Know how to construct a pencil pleat curtain with interlining and a contrast trim

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Apply all techniques and hand stitches on a sample sized curtain to a professional finish

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Unit 5: Constructing 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 that are in proportion with the window and chosen style of treatment

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Constructing valances with different types of hems

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Calculating pleat sizes & spaces for both curtains & valances

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How to construct a range of different handmade headings e.g. goblet, triple, double and cartridge

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Unit 6: Constructing a 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.

Apply all techniques and hand stitches to sample sized

This unit also includes:

curtains to a professional finish

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Cutting bias strips to use for constructing piping

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Selecting appropriate fabrics for tie backs, cushions and piping to consider pattern placement

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Constructing a piped crescent tie back

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Choosing appropriate filling for cushions

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Constructing a piped crescent shaped tie-back

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Constructing a cushion with a concealed zip and decorative piped trim

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Unit 7: 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.

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Measuring a window for a roman blind treatment

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Calculating the number of rod pockets and size of folds

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Estimating fabric quantities for plain and patterned fabrics

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Cut and prepare accurately

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Constructing a sample sized, lined roman blind with hand finishes with no visible stitches from the front

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Fitting & the importance of following child safety guidelines

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The differences between cascade blinds & traditional roman blinds

Unit 8: 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

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Constructing pelmets using different types of stiffeners.

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Constructing a sample sized, padded hardboard pelmet including the front and returns

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Display the finishes that are relevant to the different sections.

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Understand how to add decorative trims and piping to a padded pelmet.

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Unit 9: 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

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How to create a swag template using a formula

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Choosing suitable fabrics for swags and tails

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Positioning pleats on both a swag & tail to enhance the drape.

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Producing a professional finish using a combination of machine and hand stitches

Unit 10: 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:

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How to set up a work room and the equipment necessary

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Producing a costing sheet

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Charging for your services

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Identifying your customer groups

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Different ways in which to market your business

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How to source suppliers and set up trade accounts

What’s Next?

HIGHER EDUCATION Once you have successfully completed the NDA Diploma in Professional Curtain Making & Soft Furnishings, students completing our diploma will be offered a guaranteed place onto our degree with a generous Progression Scholarship. Degrees are awarded by our academic partner, De Montfort University Leicester (DMU), and they are studied online in the same way as your Diploma.

CAREERS The Diploma in Professional Curtain Making & Soft Furnishings is designed to help you start your own Soft Furnishings Workshop. Like the Diploma course itself, you can work flexibly for your clients around your family commitments and gradually expand your business. You could also study the Professional Interior Design Diploma to offer additional design services to your clients.

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Tell us about your sewing experience?

Caroline Wright Caroline started her career as a Teacher and enjoyed her career.

She always had a creative flair and a dream to start her own design business. We caught up with Caroline to find out a little bit more about her sewing background, along with her new curtain making business ‘Rue Interiors’ where she specialises in making beautiful bespoke curtains, blinds and soft furnishings for your home.

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There has never been a time in my life when I have not sewn.

My Gran taught me to embroider and use her old Singer sewing machine. She made all her own clothes which always fitted beautifully along with soft furnishings. It never occurred to me as a young adult to buy these but make them myself instead. I was making curtains for friends even when I was still teaching. I knew it was what I wanted to be doing.

What made you decide to enrol onto the NDA Professional Curtain Making course?

I was looking for a formal qualification. I have done numerous courses and training in the past but none were accredited. I knew

it had to be an online course as I live in a rural area and needed it to fit in with my commitments to current clients and family.

When was ‘Rue Interiors’ established and what was your inspiration behind setting up this business? How did the name’ Rue’ evolve?

Rue Interiors started two years ago and it’s now gathering momentum, I have taken the plunge with advertising along with setting up my new website. My business plan was formulated whilst on holiday in France. I was sitting in a terrace looking for inspiration for a name to my business. I started experimenting with French words and settled on rue, the French for street!

What have you learnt about working alongside new clients?

Previously my clients have been through recommendations but I have recently started working closely with an interior designer.

It’s been fascinating sitting in consultations with her clients and studying their relationship. My business is still in its infancy and I have found it a completely different dynamic working for a client for which you don’t have any prior knowledge.

What skills have you found most beneficial since starting the course?

Looking at different aspects of the ‘art’ of curtain making in detail has really enabled me to improve the quality of my work. The feedback from an experienced Tutor has really helped me improve my practical technique. Finally, the course has shown me that I can work to multiple deadlines whilst balancing business and family life.

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STUDENT

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WHERE TO FI Nottingham Headquarters National Design Academy Rufford Hall, Waterside Way, Nottingham, NG2 4DP United Kingdom

Phone: +44 (0) 1159 123 412 Email: admissions@nda.ac.uk

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ND US Dubai Office National Design Academy Office Block 2B, First Floor F29, Knowledge Park Dubai, United Arab Emirates, PO Box 333207

Phone: +971 44298788 Email: international@nda.ac.uk

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ACCREDITED Partners & Associations

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The National Design Academy is part of The NDA Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation committed to widening access to Further & Higher Education through affordable, flexible, online delivery.

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