Diploma
Professional
Soft Furnishings
& Curtain Making

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!

Start Date

Enrol at any time & choose your start date. No term times or semesters.

Entry Requirements

No previous qualifications required! Age 16+ and an interest & enthusiasm for soft furnishings & interior design.

Course Duration

Online: 8-10 months
In-Studio: 10 days in studio + 10 weeks home study - total 12 weeks

Assessment

No exams — Tutor assessment only, portfolio moderation by AIM Qualifications.

Fees - UK
Fees - INT
enrol now

Course Summary

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. You can even go on to study a degree.

Who Should Do This Course?

  • Do you love the different colours, textures and patterns of fabrics around you?
  • Would you like to make exclusive hand finished soft furnishings for your home?
  • Have you already made your own simple curtains successfully?
  • Would you like to start your own business but need a professional qualification?

If the answer is yes… then this is the course you are looking for!

The NDA Diploma in Professional Soft Furnishings and Curtain Making will put you on the path to starting the business you have always wanted. It will also give you the opportunity to study one of our degree courses if you decide you want to push your skills further.

What Will I Study?

You will study eight dedicated units during this professional diploma

Online Level 3 Diploma in Professional Soft Furnishings & Curtain Making | National Design Academy

Practical Skills for Professional Curtain Making & Soft Furnishings

This unit introduces you to the essential tools, terminology and techniques that form the foundation of professional curtain making and soft furnishings. You’ll learn how to measure windows, carry out site surveys, and understand how different treatments transform a room. Through hands-on activities, you’ll build core construction skills such as cutting, stitching and creating trims, giving you the confidence to approach a variety of projects with precision and creativity. This unit also includes:

  • Window measuring and site surveys
  • Styles of window treatments and their visual impact
  • Components, fixtures and fittings for installation
  • Practical fabric handling and construction skills
  • Creating decorative piping and trims
Online Level 3 Diploma in Professional Soft Furnishings & Curtain Making | National Design Academy

Understanding Fabric & Colour Theory

This unit explores the fascinating world of fabrics and colour, helping you choose the right materials for any curtain or soft furnishing project. You’ll discover how different fabrics perform, when and why fire-retardant treatments are essential, and how colour can transform a space both visually and emotionally. By applying colour theory and exploring trends, you’ll gain the confidence to create inspiring schemes that enhance mood, style and proportion. This unit also includes:

  • Recognising fabric types & their suitability for curtain designs
  • Understanding fire-retardancy and its applications
  • Colour theory, colour schemes and the psychology of colour
  • How to produce professional sample boards
  • Identifying fabric suppliers and new collections
  • Recognising historical uses of fabric in interiors
Online Level 3 Diploma in Professional Soft Furnishings & Curtain Making | National Design Academy

Developing Professional Curtain Construction Techniques

This unit builds your skills in making beautifully finished, professional-quality curtains. You’ll learn how to select the right fabrics, linings, interlinings, fixtures and fittings, while developing the precision needed to calculate fabric quantities for both plain and patterned designs. Through hands-on practice, you’ll refine techniques such as mitred corners, weights, trims and heading tapes, ensuring every curtain you create achieves an accurate fit and a flawless finish. This unit also includes:

  • Selecting appropriate materials, fixtures and fittings
  • Calculating fabric quantities for plain and patterned designs
  • Preparing fabrics with accuracy and precision
  • Mitred corners, weights, trims, linings and interlinings
  • Applying professional hand and machine stitching techniques
Online Level 3 Diploma in Professional Soft Furnishings & Curtain Making | National Design Academy

Constructing Curtains & Valances with Handmade Headers

This unit introduces you to the art of creating handmade headers, a traditional technique that gives curtains and valances a truly bespoke finish. You’ll explore a variety of styles, from triple and double pleats to goblet and cartridge designs, learning how different combinations transform the look of a window treatment. Through practical activities, you’ll master the skills of calculating pleats, preparing fabrics, inserting buckram and adding trims, achieving professional results every time. This unit also includes:

  • Exploring traditional and contemporary handmade header styles
  • Calculating pleats, spaces and fabric requirements
  • Preparing fabrics and decorative trims
  • Inserting buckram tape for structure and support
  • Constructing pleats for a range of headings
Online Level 3 Diploma in Professional Soft Furnishings & Curtain Making | National Design Academy

Constructing a Roman Blind

This unit focuses on the skills needed to design and make beautifully tailored Roman blinds. You’ll learn how to select the right fabrics for both function and style, while understanding the safety standards and devices that must be applied for legal compliance. Through accurate measuring, precise cutting and professional construction techniques, you’ll create a fully functioning Roman blind, complete with panels or trims, ready for installation. This unit also includes:

  • Understanding the qualities and styles of Roman blinds
  • Selecting suitable fabrics and decorative trims
  • Window blind safety standards and compliance
  • Measuring and cutting fabric with precision
  • Constructing a professional Roman blind
  • Combining hand and machine stitching techniques
Online Level 3 Diploma in Professional Soft Furnishings & Curtain Making | National Design Academy

Developing Professional Cushion Making Skills

This unit introduces you to the design and construction of cushions, combining style with functionality. You’ll explore a variety of cushion types, fillings, fabrics, trims and fastenings, learning how to select the right materials for different purposes. Through hands-on practice, you’ll refine skills in accurate measuring, preparing fabrics, and applying professional hand and machine stitching, enabling you to create beautifully finished cushions to a professional standard. This unit also includes:

  • Exploring cushion styles and their applications
  • Recognising cushion fillings and their suitability
  • Selecting appropriate fabrics, trims and fastenings
  • Calculating fabric quantities for different cushion designs
  • Preparing fabrics with seam allowances and trim considerations
Online Level 3 Diploma in Professional Soft Furnishings & Curtain Making | National Design Academy

Constructing Pelmets & Tiebacks

This unit explores the design and construction of pelmets and tiebacks, essential finishing touches that enhance both the style and proportions of a window treatment. You’ll discover how different shapes, materials and trims create looks suited to traditional or contemporary interiors. Through practical activities, you’ll learn how to prepare templates, cut and stiffen fabrics, add decorative details and apply stitching techniques, before completing each piece with professional fixtures and fittings. This unit also includes:

  • Exploring pelmet and tieback styles for different interiors
  • Selecting suitable fabrics, stiffeners and fixings
  • Preparing templates with accuracy
  • Cutting and preparing fabrics with decorative trims
  • Using stiffening materials for structure and finish
  • Applying stitching techniques, fixtures and fitting
Online Level 3 Diploma in Professional Soft Furnishings & Curtain Making | National Design Academy

Setting up a Soft Furnishing Business

This unit prepares you to develop the skills and knowledge needed to plan and run a curtain making and soft furnishing business. You’ll learn how to set up an efficient workroom, manage costs and price your services accurately to help ensure profitability. You’ll also explore how to attract clients, build a professional brand and establish strong supplier relationships, giving you the confidence to launch and grow your own soft furnishing enterprise. This unit also includes:

  • Setting up a professional soft furnishing workroom
  • Tools, equipment and materials for efficient production
  • Costing and pricing soft furnishing services
  • Identifying customers and building a brand
  • Marketing and promoting your business effectively
  • Sourcing materials, managing suppliers and trade accounts
DIPLOMA COURSE GUIDE
Unit 1
Online Level 3 Diploma in Professional Soft Furnishings & Curtain Making | National Design Academy

Practical Skills for Professional Curtain Making & Soft Furnishings

This unit introduces you to the essential tools, terminology and techniques that form the foundation of professional curtain making and soft furnishings. You’ll learn how to measure windows, carry out site surveys, and understand how different treatments transform a room. Through hands-on activities, you’ll build core construction skills such as cutting, stitching and creating trims, giving you the confidence to approach a variety of projects with precision and creativity. This unit also includes:

  • Window measuring and site surveys
  • Styles of window treatments and their visual impact
  • Components, fixtures and fittings for installation
  • Practical fabric handling and construction skills
  • Creating decorative piping and trims
Unit 2
Online Level 3 Diploma in Professional Soft Furnishings & Curtain Making | National Design Academy

Understanding Fabric & Colour Theory

This unit explores the fascinating world of fabrics and colour, helping you choose the right materials for any curtain or soft furnishing project. You’ll discover how different fabrics perform, when and why fire-retardant treatments are essential, and how colour can transform a space both visually and emotionally. By applying colour theory and exploring trends, you’ll gain the confidence to create inspiring schemes that enhance mood, style and proportion. This unit also includes:

  • Recognising fabric types & their suitability for curtain designs
  • Understanding fire-retardancy and its applications
  • Colour theory, colour schemes and the psychology of colour
  • How to produce professional sample boards
  • Identifying fabric suppliers and new collections
  • Recognising historical uses of fabric in interiors
Unit 3
Online Level 3 Diploma in Professional Soft Furnishings & Curtain Making | National Design Academy

Developing Professional Curtain Construction Techniques

This unit builds your skills in making beautifully finished, professional-quality curtains. You’ll learn how to select the right fabrics, linings, interlinings, fixtures and fittings, while developing the precision needed to calculate fabric quantities for both plain and patterned designs. Through hands-on practice, you’ll refine techniques such as mitred corners, weights, trims and heading tapes, ensuring every curtain you create achieves an accurate fit and a flawless finish. This unit also includes:

  • Selecting appropriate materials, fixtures and fittings
  • Calculating fabric quantities for plain and patterned designs
  • Preparing fabrics with accuracy and precision
  • Mitred corners, weights, trims, linings and interlinings
  • Applying professional hand and machine stitching techniques
Unit 4
Online Level 3 Diploma in Professional Soft Furnishings & Curtain Making | National Design Academy

Constructing Curtains & Valances with Handmade Headers

This unit introduces you to the art of creating handmade headers, a traditional technique that gives curtains and valances a truly bespoke finish. You’ll explore a variety of styles, from triple and double pleats to goblet and cartridge designs, learning how different combinations transform the look of a window treatment. Through practical activities, you’ll master the skills of calculating pleats, preparing fabrics, inserting buckram and adding trims, achieving professional results every time. This unit also includes:

  • Exploring traditional and contemporary handmade header styles
  • Calculating pleats, spaces and fabric requirements
  • Preparing fabrics and decorative trims
  • Inserting buckram tape for structure and support
  • Constructing pleats for a range of headings
Unit 5
Online Level 3 Diploma in Professional Soft Furnishings & Curtain Making | National Design Academy

Constructing a Roman Blind

This unit focuses on the skills needed to design and make beautifully tailored Roman blinds. You’ll learn how to select the right fabrics for both function and style, while understanding the safety standards and devices that must be applied for legal compliance. Through accurate measuring, precise cutting and professional construction techniques, you’ll create a fully functioning Roman blind, complete with panels or trims, ready for installation. This unit also includes:

  • Understanding the qualities and styles of Roman blinds
  • Selecting suitable fabrics and decorative trims
  • Window blind safety standards and compliance
  • Measuring and cutting fabric with precision
  • Constructing a professional Roman blind
  • Combining hand and machine stitching techniques
Unit 6
Online Level 3 Diploma in Professional Soft Furnishings & Curtain Making | National Design Academy

Developing Professional Cushion Making Skills

This unit introduces you to the design and construction of cushions, combining style with functionality. You’ll explore a variety of cushion types, fillings, fabrics, trims and fastenings, learning how to select the right materials for different purposes. Through hands-on practice, you’ll refine skills in accurate measuring, preparing fabrics, and applying professional hand and machine stitching, enabling you to create beautifully finished cushions to a professional standard. This unit also includes:

  • Exploring cushion styles and their applications
  • Recognising cushion fillings and their suitability
  • Selecting appropriate fabrics, trims and fastenings
  • Calculating fabric quantities for different cushion designs
  • Preparing fabrics with seam allowances and trim considerations
Unit 7
Online Level 3 Diploma in Professional Soft Furnishings & Curtain Making | National Design Academy

Constructing Pelmets & Tiebacks

This unit explores the design and construction of pelmets and tiebacks, essential finishing touches that enhance both the style and proportions of a window treatment. You’ll discover how different shapes, materials and trims create looks suited to traditional or contemporary interiors. Through practical activities, you’ll learn how to prepare templates, cut and stiffen fabrics, add decorative details and apply stitching techniques, before completing each piece with professional fixtures and fittings. This unit also includes:

  • Exploring pelmet and tieback styles for different interiors
  • Selecting suitable fabrics, stiffeners and fixings
  • Preparing templates with accuracy
  • Cutting and preparing fabrics with decorative trims
  • Using stiffening materials for structure and finish
  • Applying stitching techniques, fixtures and fitting
Unit 8
Online Level 3 Diploma in Professional Soft Furnishings & Curtain Making | National Design Academy

Setting up a Soft Furnishing Business

This unit prepares you to develop the skills and knowledge needed to plan and run a curtain making and soft furnishing business. You’ll learn how to set up an efficient workroom, manage costs and price your services accurately to help ensure profitability. You’ll also explore how to attract clients, build a professional brand and establish strong supplier relationships, giving you the confidence to launch and grow your own soft furnishing enterprise. This unit also includes:

  • Setting up a professional soft furnishing workroom
  • Tools, equipment and materials for efficient production
  • Costing and pricing soft furnishing services
  • Identifying customers and building a brand
  • Marketing and promoting your business effectively
  • Sourcing materials, managing suppliers and trade accounts
DIPLOMA COURSE GUIDE

Student Gallery

A sample of work completed by our talented interior design students

One Course, Three Ways To Study

Choose from flexible online learning, online fast-track (zoom lectures) or in-studio (UK) classes
online interior design diploma courses

Online

8–10 Months (Flexible)

The online flexible Professional Diploma course is designed to be flexible to allow you to study around your career, family, and other commitments. Choose your own start date and study from anywhere in the world as long as you have an internet connection.

The online diploma is a 8-10 month course however, many students who have more time to study complete earlier. All assignments consist of design projects which are assessed by your Personal Tutor – there are no examinations.

ONLINE LEARNING
online interior design courses through zoom uk and international students fully accredited

Online Fast-Track

16 weeks home study and weekly online lectures (via zoom)

For students who want all the benefits of remote online learning, but are also looking for more structure and live interaction with tutors and peers, the ‘Online Fast-Track’ course offers an ideal mix.

The course consists of a 8-week study period that covers each of the 8 subject units in the Diploma course, one unit per week. 2.5hr live zoom lectures and demonstarations are organised two days per week. Up to 8 ‘Independent Study’ weeks within the duration let students complete any unfinished assignments.

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Professional Soft Furnishings & Curtain Making Diploma Course - National Design Academy

In-Studio (UK)

10 days In-Studio 10 weeks home study (12 weeks total)

If you prefer a classroom-based study environment then our In-Studio blended learning course could be for you. It is particularly useful if you are looking to fast-track your qualification, either for a new career or for progression to degree level study.

You spend 5 days in-studio followed by 5 weeks home study projects, then a further 5 days in-studio with up to an additional 5 weeks to complete any project work for submission. Throughout home study, you have full online access to our resources and your Personal Tutor.

IN-STUDIO UK
  • UK Government Funding (Diploma)

UK residents pay approximately 50% course fees and funding from the UK government will pay the rest.

  • UK Government Student Loan (Diploma)
No upfront course fees to find. If you are aged 19+ and have lived in England for 3+ years you are eligible.
Find out more

Accreditation

AIM Online Interior Design Courses

All NDA Professional Diplomas are accredited by AIM Qualifications. NDA is the only design school to be able to offer funding & student loans because our Diplomas are fully accredited.

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Online Diploma Course Fees

UK Students

Non-Funded
Course Fee £1,590
Less
UK Government Funding
NDA Funded Course Fee £895

There are two ways for UK students to pay for their Online Diploma:

One Payment

£ 895 On Enrolment
  •  
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8 x Monthly Payments

£ 120 Per Month*
  • £960 in total
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* Monthly payments include admin fee.

International Students

There are two ways for International students to pay for their Online Diploma:

One Payment

$ 1,850 On Enrolment
  • Save $250 by paying in full
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7 x Monthly Payments

$ 2,100 IN TOTAL*
  • $450 on enrolment
  • + 6 x $275 monthly payments
Enrol Now
* Monthly payments include admin fee.
International fees in US dollars.

What Will I Need To Study?

Alongside a computer and an internet connection, there is also essential and recommended soft furnishings equipment required to complete your NDA Course, all available through the NDA Art Shop at student prices!

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What's Next?

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. You could also study the Professional Interior Design Diploma to offer additional design services to your clients.

Higher Education

Successful completion of your NDA Diploma provides a guaranteed place on one of our online BA (Hons) 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 = 32 UCAS points.

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Student Spotlights...

More Student Spotlights

Ready to pursue your passion for
Soft Furnishings for Interior Design?

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What Our Students Say...

Hear what past and present students have to say about studying at the NDA

I am pleased to report that I received an unconditional offer to study Costume Construction at University Centre South Essex. Thank you for all of your help during this course, too. It set me on a path I never would have imagined when I first started. I am extremely grateful.
Camilla-Corrine BeaumontOnline Diploma Student
I have really enjoyed the course and felt that all the course resources have been of a very high quality and you have all been very responsive to any queries that I have had – thank you.
Hilary BettOnline Diploma Student
The feedback from an experienced Tutor has really helped me improve my practical technique. Finally, as time management has been a stretch, the course has shown me that I can work to multiple deadlines whilst balancing business and family life.
Caroline WrightOnline Diploma Student
The diploma course is comprehensive and provides much more than practical sewing skills, including tasters in interior design, colour and textiles, window treatments and working with clients.
Pam FaulknerOnline Diploma Student

What is UK Government Funding?

UK students pay approximately 50% of the full course fee – the balance is funded by the UK Government’s Adult education budget (AEB).

The National Design Academy is the only design school to be able to offer this funding as our Diplomas are all fully accredited by AIM Qualifications.