Understanding Textiles Provides Foundation for Fashion Design

By Karen Lawson
Fashion Design School Review Columnist

Textile, or fabric, design is an important ‘building block” in fashion design. The cut, weave, texture, and appearance of fabric contribute to the overall appearance and function of finished garments. Fashion designers must consider how a fabric drapes, feels, and responds to the wearer’s movements when select fabrics for their designs. If you’re serious about a career in fashion design, knowing the basics of textile construction can help you choose fabrics that best complement your designs.

The Dimensions of Textile Design: Construction, Appearance, and Function

The visual and tactile appeal of prints, weaves, and texture are important considerations in successful fashion design. Understanding fibers and their properties is useful when selecting fabrics for clothing designs. Whether or not you select a coarse wool yarn for a textural effect will likely depend on the type of garment you’re designing. Fine silk may work for lingerie, but not for a topcoat.

Learning Fabric

Your fashion degree program may include courses in textile construction, weaving, sewing and print design. You’ll use computer assisted design (CAD) programs to help you determine how a fabric will look as a finished fashion design. You may also learn about fabric dyes and printing methods.

Textile Print Design Applicable to Home Fashions, Print Design

Your knowledge of textile design and construction can help you achieve success in professional fashion design. You may even find opportunities in designing appealing patterns for textiles. Repetitive textile print designs are often used in products such as upholstery fabric, wall paper, and accessories.

Textile expertise can lead you in a variety of career directions. If you’re interested in textile design, you even may be able to concentrate on this area as you pursue your fashion degree or certificate.

About the Author

Karen Lawson is a freelance writer whose interests include topics in post secondary education and the humanities. She holds BA and MA degrees in English from the University of Nevada, Reno.

Posted on June 1, 2007 at 03:55 PM