Course Programmes

Courses run from 9:30am to 5pm. Tea/coffee served at 9:15am.

ONE-TO-ONE TRAINING – tailored exclusively to your requirements.
(Private groups also very welcome)

COURSE ONE (5 Days)
'Design & Making of Window Treatments' Certificate

Through discussion, demonstration and making samples, this course provides students with the skills to tackle window dressings with confidence. It is suitable for absolute beginners as well as those wishing to enhance their current skills. This course also covers how to set up and run a successful curtain making business.

Day One:

• Design presentation and discussion about curtain styles, decorative hardware, pelmets, and blinds, covering current trends in the Interior Design world.
• Students will practice how to seam lining, interlining, plain and patterned fabric.
• Students will make a lined sample curtain with pencil pleat heading, which will ensure that you will thoroughly learn and practice traditional hand stitching and curtain making methods.

Day Two:

• Students will learn how to plan and design a window treatment, including accurate measuring, bay windows, suitable curtain hardware, and estimation of fabric quantities for plain and patterned fabric.
• Comprehensive discussion on how to calculate accurate measurements for curtain hand headings; Triple (French), Goblet and Cartridge pleats. Students will then participate in hands-on window measuring, reviewing various scenarios, followed by curtain calculation exercises.

Day Three:

• Students will make an interlined sample curtain incorprating the hand heading Triple (French) pleats.
• Demonstration on how to make other hand headings; Goblet and Cartridge pleats.

Day Four:

• Discussion on blind styles; accurate measuring for various window shapes; fabric estimation and accurate calculations for rod pocket spacing; suitable hardware, fixtures and fittings.
• In our opinion Roman blinds look and function better if there is no visible machine stitching to the front. Students will make a fully operational hand-sewn Roman blind, followed by a fabric covered batten from which to hang the blind.

Day Five:

• Comprehensive session on setting up and running a successful curtain making business, including advice on suppliers, costing, client liaison and presentation skills.
• Professional fitting seminar with John Mason; students will learn how to specify and fit curtain and blind hardware including awkward window shapes (poles, tracks, blinds, pelmet shelves, and dressing of window treatments).
• Discussion on designing pelmets, their proportions and shaping the base line to work with the pattern repeat of the fabric. Students will then make a hardboard upholstered pelmet sample with piping detail.

(Print programme)

COURSE TWO (5 Days)
'Advanced Curtain Making & Soft Furnishings' Certificate

This course covers further training for students who have completed our course 'Design & Making of Window Treatments', and for those with some experience of curtain making. Having completed this course students will be trained in all aspects of curtain making and soft furnishings.

Day One – Trimmings & Valances:

• A comprehensive session on trimmings, embellishments and contrast borders available in curtain making.
• Discussion on valances (soft valances fitted to a pelmet shelf and integral curtain valances) and their proportions.
• Students will design and make a sample curtain with an integral valance, incorporating hand heading goblet pleats, with inserted and attached trimming detail.

Day Two – London Blinds:

• Discussion on London blinds, their suitability and fabric quantities required.
• Students will design and make a fully operational London blind with contrast inverted pleats, followed by a fabric covered batten from which to hang the blind.

Day Three – Swags:

• Discussion on swags and tails; various designs that can be applied, proportions, construction and fixings.
• Students will learn how to create and construct their own perfect swag template, and go on to make a contrast piped interlined swag.

Day Four – Tails & Bed Dressings:

• Students will learn how to create and construct their own perfect tail template, and go on to make a contrast lined and piped interlined tail.
• A discussion on how to approach the design of a bedroom, where the window treatments and bed dressings complement each other.
• Students will make a bed valance with kick pleats, and be given instructions on how to make bed covers.

Day Five – Cushions:

• Two cushions will be made. The first a piped bolster cushion with sunburst ends, button detail and zip fastening. Students will then design and make their second cushion with a wide choice of fabrics and trimmings.

(Print programme)

'Professional Track & Pole Fitting' Certificate (2 days) with John Mason

John Mason has 21 years experience as a professional curtain fitter in the interior design field working with renown retail establishments and private clients. During this two day course you will learn all aspects of professional fitting.

• Introduction: course overview
• Comprehensive discussion and demonstration on tracks, poles, blinds, pelmets, valances, lathes, swags & tails, and fitting accessories.
• Demonstration on how to study a window taking all factors into consideration to determine type of fitting required.
• Students will learn how to measure all window shapes, including bay windows and awkard shapes.
• Practical session;
  • students will learn how to fit tracks, poles, blinds and pelmets (including shaping into bay windows).
  • making of covered pelmet shelves and lathes.
  • hanging and dressing of curtains, blinds and other draperies.
• Discussion on tools and equipment required.
• Costing; how to cost per job (including travel, parking charges).
• Setting up and running a business;
  • how to become self employed
  • how to get business
  • health and safety issues
  • working on domestic and commercial sites
  • relationship with curtain makers and customers
  • professional insurance

(Print programme)

Please call us on 01442 833110 or email us if you would like to discuss additional training that is not listed in the above course programmes.

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