Draping

Draping is the art of manipulating fabric directly on the dress form. It is the most creative way for a designer to turn design ideas into reality.

Start by learning the basics, including how to use a dress form and how to prepare the muslin for draping. You will then move on to learn how to drape basic bodices, including a range of darts and necklines, and also basic skirts, and finally dresses. Each lesson in the book is illustrated in meticulous detail in a series of step-by-step photographs accompanied by photos from the runway.

Francesca Sterlacci is Founder and CEO of The University of Fashion, the first and largest online fashion design video library in the world.

Barbara Arata-Gavere is an Adjunct Professor at the Fashion Institute of Technology, NYC.