In-Studio Diploma
Professional
Soft Furnishings
& Curtain Making (UK)

In-Studio Diploma
Professional
Soft Furnishings
& Curtain Making (UK)

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!

Entry Requirements

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

Course Duration

10 days In-Studio + Up to 10 weeks of home study projects

Next Course Date

Week 1: 26th - 30th January
Week 2: 9th - 13th March

More Dates

Assessment

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

Next Courses
Fees - UK
Fees - INT

Course Summary

As an alternative to flexible online study our live ‘In-Studio’ Course Diploma in Professional Soft Furnishings and Curtain Making allows you to join other like-minded soft furnishings enthusiasts for a more hands-on and collaborative approach to learning. Your tutor will share all the professional hints and tips for the design and construction of amazing hand finished curtains and soft furnishings. Step by step you will construct samples of a wide range of beautiful soft furnishings.

What Will You Learn?

With these skills you will be able to tackle your own projects more professionally, start your own business or enter the curtains and soft furnishing industry with the practical knowledge required to work with your clients.You’ll also learn how to establish industry contacts, where to source material, samples, fittings and accessories, everything you need to start building a professional design community with your peers.

Whilst receiving hands-on advice directly from our highly experienced NDA Tutors, the In-studio course brings together a fantastic mix of students, helping to create an exciting, friendly and dynamic class with the chance to share ideas with fellow up and coming designers.

Course Duration

The Diploma course consists of a first week (5 days) in-studio followed by 5 weeks of home study projects, then a second week (5 days) in-studio with an additional 5 weeks to complete any outstanding projects for submission to complete your course.

We are passionate about delivering high-quality courses to our students, and as we believe that students learn faster in smaller groups, we cap the student numbers attending each studio course.

Available Course Dates

Nottingham, UK

January to March 2026

  • Week 1: 26th - 30th January
    Week 2: 9th - 13th March

May to July 2026

  • Week 1: 18th - 22nd May
    Week 2: 29th June - 3rd July

September to November 2026

  • Week 1: 21st - 25th September
    Week 2: 2nd - 6th November
WHERE TO STAY
Enrol Now
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What Will I Study?

You will study ten 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

In-Studio Gallery

Images of our talented Diploma students hard at work in our In-Studio sessions

  • 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.

Find out more

In-Studio Diploma Course Fees

UK Students

Non-Funded
Course Fee £2,390
Less
UK Government Funding
NDA Funded Course Fee £1,500

There are two ways for UK students to pay for their In-Studio Diploma:

One Payment

£ 1,500 On Enrolment
  •  
Enrol Now
Most Popular

3 x Monthly Payments

£ 550 Per Month*
  • £1,650 in total
Enrol Now
* Monthly payments include admin fee.

International Students

There are two ways for International students to pay for their In-Studio Diploma:

One Payment

$ 3,225 ON ENROLMENT
  • Save $275 by paying in full
  • Limited spaces available!!
Enrol Now

3 x Monthly Payments

$ 3,500 IN TOTAL*
  • $1,500 on enrolment
  • + 2 x $1,000 monthly payments
Enrol Now
International fees in US dollars.
* Monthly payments include admin fee.

What Will I Need To Study?

In-Studio Study – All required equipment and resources will be provided during your time In-Studio, however you will need access to a laptop computer to view course material and the online learning resources.

Home Study  – Alongside a computer and an internet connection, there is also essential and recommended equipment required to complete your NDA Course, all available through the NDA Art Shop at student prices! Throughout home study, you have full online access to our resources and your Personal Tutor.

FIND OUT MORE

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. In the same way you have studied the Diploma course, 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 tariff points.

Find out more

Student Success Stories...

More SUCCESS STORIES

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

enrol now

What Our Students Say...

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

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. There is a really informative unit on setting up a workroom and starting a business.
Pam FaulknerIn-Studio 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 WrightIn-Studio 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 BettIn-Studio Diploma Student
I have massively enjoyed the week. Such a great way to learn both in respect of the different tutors and also meeting such a lovely variety of people. The help in drawing techniques has been superb. Looking forward to week 2!
Ruth WeaverIn-Studio Diploma Student
The studio course gave me an opportunity to meet my fellow peers, and the tutors. Working as a home student would have suited my work commitments, but attending the studio helped me feel more connected to the school...
Annette BryanIn-Studio Diploma Student
Studying In-Studio with the NDA has really opened my eyes to the exciting world of interior design. The course content is structured and in-depth with hands-on practical experience applied on a continuous basis.
Lorraine JamisonIn-Studio 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.