This course provides a comprehensive introduction to textiles and soft finishes in interior design, covering the materials, properties, performance standards, and professional practices that inform thoughtful material selection. Starting at the microscopic level, students will trace the journey of textiles from fiber to yarn to fabric, learning how material origins, construction methods, and fiber properties shape durability, texture, and function. Emphasis is placed on evaluating textiles through the lens of real-world considerations such as abrasion resistance, flammability codes, lightfastness, and sustainability, equipping students to think about materials the way working designers do.
As the course progresses, students will explore fabric construction, surface design, dyeing and printing methods, and soft finish applications ranging from upholstery and window treatments to wallcoverings and soft flooring systems. The course wraps up with a focus on professional practice, including textile specification, sourcing, trade resources, and material presentation.
What You Will Learn
- Trace the journey of textiles from fiber to finished application and explain how each stage influences aesthetics, performance, and end use
- Differentiate between fiber types, yarn constructions, and fabric formations, and assess how each affects durability, texture, and function
- Evaluate textile performance using industry testing standards, interpret abrasion ratings, and apply basic flammability and code requirements to material selections
- Analyze how pattern, scale, texture, and surface design influence spatial perception and overall design intent
- Select appropriate textiles for a range of interior applications, balancing aesthetic goals with performance, maintenance, and sustainability considerations
- Specify textiles using industry standards, including reading fabric labels, calculating yardage, and completing professional specification documentation
- Navigate trade resources, sourcing channels, and the textile production pipeline to make informed purchasing and budgeting decisions
- Present textile selections professionally through cohesive material boards and confident use of industry terminology
This course is available for 30 days. You can choose when to start your access period. Once you activate, you will have 30 days to complete it (access the course materials, quizzes, projects and videos). You may request one extension of seven (7) days. Other extension requests will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Videos are not downloadable.
