Frequently asked questions
Courses by level: Basic draping Intermediate draping Advanced draping Complete couture draping
Investigative draping: Balenciaga cocoon dress Balenciaga S-seam coat Yve Saint Laurent Tuxedo jacket
Dior bar jacket Wing pleat hourglass dress Shawl collar garment Investigative draping full course
Other draping courses: Corset draping&design
Sleeves draping: Raglan sleeve coat Basic set-in sleeve
Inspired by fashion history: Tail coat Riding habit inspired jacket Pierrot jacket inspired Edwardian jacket
Corset jacket draping Sculptured rococo dress
Courses by garment: Skirts draping Dresses draping Jackets draping Collars draping
Can you advise how to navigate trough the variety of your courses?
You can check search online courses page. Also you may find helpful Draping courses map. In addition you may ask us directly through the contact page.
Can you introduce your online draping courses?
We have wide range of online courses covering all aspects of draping from very beginner level
to advanced and beyond.
There are major 3 levels of draping courses which are respectively Basic, Intermediate and Advanced.
The Investigative draping course is a master level. Corset draping and design course stays alone representing contouring techniques. Each course contains several thematic units/assignments altogether with a few hours of video-lessons. Video-lesson is actually a detailed demonstration of a particular draping task followed by precise explanations.
How will I learn if I take your online course?
You will learn through watching the videos and practicing the draping exercises. During your work you can ask a tutor for help or support if needed. When you are done with all draping exercises included in the unit, you are required to submit your body of work to the tutor. You will receive full feedback and evaluation. When you submit all assignments of your course you will get certificate.
What is the value of your certificate?
EWST fashionlab certificate confirms the student completion of the course' draping work.
Student has a chance to create a comprehensive portfolio during the studies. EWST fashionlab certificate has proved to be valued. Many of EWST students successfully applied for jobs and Fashion schools. Moreover, our certificate holder will have the privilege to get a 50% discount for any of our new courses.
What are the advantages of taking your courses?
All courses were recorded with an intention to cover all aspects of draping whether general or draping of particular garment. Preparing dress-form for draping, holding fabric piece and allocating it on the dress form as well as pinning itself are presented in a professional manner impeccably guiding you through the process.
There are many crucial questions and even steps which are rather omitted or misrepresented in Fashion schools or other courses. For example dress form guidelines, proper pinning, distribution of ease, clipping notching and many other aspects which are directly related to pattern making. In our courses all these topics are thoroughly addressed.
Overall you will have an opportunity to learn draping in depth as a techniques as a creative method of sculpturing (manipulating a piece of fabric to create certain shapes) and most importantly as an effective alternative to flat pattern-making.
How much time will I have to complete the course?
We offer a rather generous duration for our courses from 3-6 months for some single modules to 3 years for the solid course such as Ultimate draping. The course videos were recorded specifically for the learning purpose thus only our students have the privilege to access them.
Importantly after enrollment students are granted with round clock access to video-lessons which allows maximum flexibility with the study.
Can I get a tutor support?
If you opt for the tutor support you will get the best one. Needless to say that Elena, the creator of all our courses, a draping master and EWST founder is a tutor as well. So you will be guided and supported directly by the master herself.
I want to buy your course. How can I enroll?
First of all, find out the course you want to purchase. You can do it by visiting our online draping academy page where all courses are presented, alternatively you can navigate through the all courses page as well. Choose your course, open the page dedicated to it, read the description. If you decide to proceed with purchase then click the apply button, it will redirect you to the Google form. Fill up the form, choose your payment method then submit the form and we will reply to you asap. As soon as we receive your payment we open your video lessons.
Is tailoring included in your courses?
In general tailoring is not included. Our draping courses can be regarded as an alternative to pattern making.
However in some courses we do provide an important information related to pre-production including sewing, ironing and interfacing. Also there is only one course Bamboo pleated bodice/corset which provides full instruction for sewing this style.
Do you cover couture techniques related to garment silhouette?
Elena accentuates that silhouette is an ever standing property of clothing.
Through the courses such as Investigative draping or Jackets draping we do provide the information in the form of additional downloadable files which is related to the interfacing and its allocation in the jacket cut. There are videos showing the ironing applied to the some details of the cut. Moreover, the draping process itself is demonstrated with emphasis on the ease distribution, which is very important aspect in forming the jacket silhouette.
Do you advise on how to choose and use fabrics?
Throughout all courses video-lessons Elena gives advises upon fabrics, its properties and usage. Also students can get their particular questions answered individually while communicating during the work process (tutor support is included in the course fee). Due to the nature of Elena draping courses (emphasis on design) the students have a choice, to decide on the elements of jacket or dress design to his/her inclination and preferences. So you may know already what kind of fabrics you are going to use otherwise you can get Elena professional consultation.
Do you teach how to design?
We do not separate design and making rather we emphasize on designing through draping or vice versa on draping through designing. Therefore most of our courses teach design. Elena personally prioritizes skills as a way to achieve mastery of handwork and consequently impeccability in design.
If are there any benefits of draping method compare to drafting?
As Elena pointed out draping is an art of pattern-making and consequently the method of designing. The body shape and its curves are the best guide for the designer-pattern maker as it is a direct way to apply fabric to the body shape and envision and draw patterns. Therefore draping occurs more naturally in comparison with flat pattern-making, as well as it enhances the capacities to design profoundly.
Elena strongly states that conventional pattern making can be completely replaced by draping with outstanding results. Draping is flexible multiverse practice adaptable to any type of garment. The virtuous artistry of draping and its immediately observable outcome makes this method ultimately preferable for instigating the novel design.
At the end the result of finalized draping of certain garment gives completed look of the garment prototype and provides pattern set as well. Thus draping is pattern making per se.
What is preferable - learning draping online or in the real class?
No doubt, the learning of draping through the face-to-face contact with an instructor provides you with inspiration and contentment. It can give you immediate insight on things you strive to learn. However, such a type of learning has its limitations as well. Normally, you meet the master from whom you wish to learn just in the few days of workshop. In this case, it would be advantageous if you know exactly the kind of topic you need to clarify and practice under the guidance of the instructor. Otherwise, most likely you will be one of the many others who have just a general query so to speak, one of those who have a lot of questions that are not possible to address properly regarding crowded situations and obvious lack of time.
On the other hand, if you purchase Elena’s online draping course you will be granted 24/7 access to the video-materials, which you can watch and re-watch whatever time you feel so. You will have an option to play the video and practice at the same time or just play the video as many times as you need and then try to drape out of your memory. Needless to say that all our courses are presented by detailed and concise video-lessons with straight to the point clear explanations. It resembles the video-book which is always under your hand. Regarding the fact that the "book author" and course instructor is the same person you will have undeniably valuable experience. By having such an opportunity, especially if you persist in pursuing your goal, you will certainly gain momentum to become proficient in draping.