Six Basic Steps of Draping (2024)

Draping is the art of creating agarment by arrangingthefabric around a dress. This isusuallydonebyusingthe fabric’snatural fall.Fortheuninitiated, drapinginvolvestechniques likepleating and gatheringtocreateadramaticeffect.However,to master thisartoneneedstounderstand thebasics. Tohelp you go through this process,herearesixbasic steps for draping to get you started:

Prepping:

The first step is to have accurate measurementsofthe garment.Next, ensureto markthe centre line of the dress by using a tape. This helps to keep the draping even across the dress.

Sketch:

Preparing a sketch of your garment always helps indesigning. But,in this form itgives you a clear ideaabout howyou need to go aboutthe drape.Here,your sketch will help you understand how to best manipulate the fabricin orderto getthedramatic effect.

Muslin:

Thisfabricisflexibleinitsthickness and volume. Thus, giving you a chance to experiment and playaround as you desire.

Pinning:

Pinning is a process in which you pull the folds of the fabric together to create the draping design.Pinning will giveyoua good idea of how the garment will look after completion.

Basting the Fabric:

Once you are finished withdrapingand pinning,the next step is to baste the fabric.Here, you caneithersewthefabric to the foundation pieceoryoucansew thefabric itself to complete the draping process.

Trimming:

The last step iscommonacrossdesigning techniques.Trim off any excess fabrics thatmay remain after you are finished with draping. The raw edges of your draping shouldalwaysbe hidden neatly in the seams.

Each of the abovestepsare designed tohelpmake the process of drapingeasierand develop your draping skills. Another thing that can help you refine yourdrapingskillsis a fashion school like Whistling Woods International-NeetaLullaSchool of Fashion. Here you can explore various aspects of draping and many other crucial techniquesused infashion designing.