UNIT 1

INTRODUCTION TO DRAPING

According to the University of Fashion, draping is the art of manipulating

fabric directly on the dress form in three dimensions. It is the most creative way for
a designer to turn ideas into reality.
This unit, will enable you to gained knowledge and ideas about draping,
different terms and terminology used. It also includes familiarization of the tools
and equipment used in draping fabric coupled with the practical learning
experience that enables you to learn while doing.

UNIT OUTCOMES:

At the end of the unit, then you must have;

1. Understand the concepts of draping;

2. Identified and familiarized the tools and equipment used in
draping
3. Discussed and familiarized the different terms and terminology
used in draping
4. Identified the different finishes that can be used in draping.
 LESSON DRAPING AS AN ART
1

LEARNING OUTCOME

At the end of the lesson, you must have:

1. Understand the concepts of draping;
2. Acquired knowledge and ideas on the concept of draping;
3. Know the history and evolution of draping.

LEARNING CONTENT

What is draping?
According to……
Draping is a technique used to make a 3-dimensional dress pattern
with the aid of a dress form figure by pinning and placing fabric against the form to
create a garment. Triplett, S. (2019).
Draping is an art of manipulating fabric directly on the dress form in
three dimensions. It is the most creative way for a designer to turn ideas into reality.
University of Fashion

Draping is a term to describe the used of fabric in creating a design directly

on a mannequin or dress form and it serves as an essential skill for a designer. It
is the oldest method used since the 18th century and presently considered to be
an important part in fashion designing

The term “Draping” came from the French word “moulage” which means “to
mold or sculpt. Fashion designers are the artists that gives physical expression to
the concepts and ideas as they work with the elements and principles of design.
In draping, it involves the eye training on how to recognize balance,
symmetry and graceful line and it also includes the training of the hand to dexterity
in cutting, pinning, and joining the complex of curves.
 Specifically, draping is a method of pattern making that permits designers
to freely and accurately express their ideas and concepts in 3-dimensional process
of creating a garment.
Draping is the process of positioning and pinning fabric on a standard size
dress form to develop the structure for garment design.
It start with the design sketch as a basis, then the designer can play with
the fabric to create new designs as the start of the dress design process.

For some, draping is a process of transforming a garment or clothing design

in a 3-dimensional form than the common way such as flat pattern making.
Draping can be traced back to 3500 BCE, beginning of Mesopotamians and
Ancient Egyptians. The Greek fashion followed the invention of draped silhouettes
like chiton, peplos, chlamys, and himation. The toga was invented by the
Estruscans and Ancient Romans, were the length of the fabric that wraps and
drapes around the body (Sterlacci, 2013).
Throughout the ages clothing was categorized as either “fitted” or “draped”.
Where “fitted” garment would be sewn together and worn close to the body. On
the other hand “draped” garment such as a toga doesn’t require sewing. In present,
fashion industry, both fitted and draped garments can be patterned using the
draping process.

Famous Designers known in Draping

 Madame Grès
o Known as the “Queen of the Drape”. She expertly draped and
executed collection of Grecian-inspired silk jersey, that dresses
consumed over 70 yards of silk jersey each.
 Pauline Trigère
o A French-born American designer. Together with Madame Grès they
both known for draping their own designs directly on live models
instead of dress forms
 Madeleine Vionnet
o In contrast with the other designers, she chose to test her designs
on a miniature mannequin instead of the full size form.
o She is known for her mastery of the “bias cut” that results to the
sensual designs and still source of inspiration up to this day.

In the late 1930s to 1960s, some of the designers in Hollywood had

unlimited resources in clothing their models. After the World War II, in Europe and
New York, the couture ateliers were blossoming, Balenciaga, Dior, Givenchy, and
later, Yves Saint Laurent were the only few designers that known in using fabrics
and techniques to produce a beautifully draped and impeccably tailored couture
clothing.
Why Use Draping?
The art of draping become the most love by the designers because their
designs comes to life as they manipulate the fabric on the dress form. The designer
may start form design sketch, in draping process there is a new and more
interesting design that takes place. That is why draping is considered the more
creative method of pattern making.
Unlike flat pattern making or 2-dimensional pattern making process, draping
allows the designer to get a “feel” for the fabric as they draped the fabric on the
form. It enables the designer to make a better choices when considering the
suitability of a particular fabric to its design

The Value of Learning to drape

When draping, the muslin or the “toile” is work in progress that continue to
evolve until it is taken off the form and turned into a pattern for a garment.
Draping is way easier rather than drafting in flat pattern in developing the
important skill of visualizing a 2-dimensional sketch moves into 3-dimensional
form. It eliminates some of the guesswork involved in pattern drafting.
The techniques for draping fabric require the knowledge of the fabric’s
characteristics.

Creating a Signature Look

The ultimate goal of training in the skills of draping is to strengthen the
original expression while expressing new silhouettes.
Consider the customer preferences because clothes today are less by their
fit and finesse than by a designer’s statement.
Today, people wants to wear clothes that not only fit comfortably but that
help express their attitudes and sensibilities.
The first step in creating a signature look is to anchor a creative vision
before beginning to drape. It start from having an inspiration such as sunset,
painting, photograph of another design, or simply a feeling or attitude that you want
to express.

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES

 You don't have to know from experience how much wearing ease is
necessary where. You can just add more ease until it looks right.
 If you are using a fabric that relaxes/stretches, you have to do fewer
iterations than with flat patterning. just use your fashion fabric to
drape instead of muslin.
 It's easier to see how the stripe/pattern in the fabric will look of on a
figure if you drape with the fabric.

Disadvantages include:
 For more complicated designs, you have to have a general sense of the
shape before you start, in order to cut the right size of fabric.
 You need an accurate dress form. Kathleen has some really excellent
articles on that subject, too.
 If you want a paper pattern (you don't need one if you drape with a stable
fabric), you'll have to copy the whole thing over.

REFERENCES

Draping for Fashion Design. Retrieved from

https://www.pdfdrive.com/draping-for-fashion-design-
e187301311.html February 10, 2021
Draping the Complete Course. Retrieved from
https://www.pdfdrive.com/draping-the-complete-course-
e157984926.html February 10, 2021
Dress Design, Draping and Flat Pattern Making.
https://www.pdfdrive.com/dress-design-draping-and-flat-pattern-
making-e186946068.html February 10, 2021
What is Draping and Overview and History. Retrieved from
https://www.universityoffashion.com/blog/what-is-draping-an-
overview-and-
history/#:~:text=Draping%20is%20the%20process%20of,%2C%20pe
plos%2C%20chlamys%20and%20himation. February 16, 2021
Art of Fashion Draping. Retrieved from
https://www.fibre2fashion.com/industry-article/7463/art-of-fashion-
draping February 15, 2021