Fashion Design Cheat Sheet

The core ideas of Fashion Design distilled into a single, scannable reference — perfect for review or quick lookup.

PiqCue — piqcue.com/fashion-design/cheatsheet

Quick Reference

Silhouette

The overall outline or shape of a garment as it appears on the body. Silhouette is one of the most fundamental design decisions, determining how a garment relates to the body's natural form through fit, volume, and proportion.

Draping

A garment design technique in which fabric is pinned and manipulated directly on a dress form or live model to create three-dimensional shapes. Unlike flat pattern making, draping allows the designer to see how fabric falls and moves in real time.

Pattern Making

The technical process of creating a flat template (pattern) from which garment pieces are cut from fabric. Pattern making translates a designer's two-dimensional sketch or three-dimensional drape into precise, reproducible shapes that, when assembled, form the finished garment.

Haute Couture

A legally protected designation in France for fashion houses that meet strict criteria set by the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture, including producing custom-fitted garments made by hand in Parisian ateliers. Haute couture represents the highest level of craftsmanship in fashion.

Textile Science

The study of fibers, yarns, fabric construction, finishing, and dyeing. Understanding textiles is essential for fashion designers because fabric properties such as drape, stretch, weight, and breathability directly influence how a garment looks, feels, and performs.

Color Theory in Fashion

The application of principles governing color relationships, harmonies, and psychological effects to clothing and accessory design. Fashion color theory encompasses seasonal color palettes, color forecasting, and the understanding of how colors interact on different skin tones and fabric textures.

Garment Construction

The methods and techniques used to assemble cut fabric pieces into a finished garment, including seaming, hemming, installing closures, and finishing. Construction quality determines a garment's durability, appearance, and fit.

Fashion Illustration

The art of communicating fashion design ideas through drawing, typically using elongated figure proportions (a nine- or ten-head figure) to emphasize garment details, fabric movement, and overall aesthetic mood.

Sustainable Fashion

An approach to fashion design, production, and consumption that seeks to minimize environmental harm and maximize social benefit throughout the garment lifecycle. It encompasses material sourcing, manufacturing processes, product longevity, and end-of-life disposal or recycling.

Collection Development

The process of creating a cohesive group of garments and accessories unified by a common theme, color palette, silhouette vocabulary, and fabric selection. A well-developed collection tells a story while offering commercial variety across different garment categories.

Key Terms at a Glance

Applique:A decorative technique in which fabric pieces are sewn or attached onto a larger piece of fabric to form a design or pattern.

Atelier:A designer's workshop or studio, particularly in haute couture, where garments are designed and constructed by skilled artisans.

Bias:The diagonal direction across woven fabric, at a 45-degree angle to the warp and weft. Fabric cut on the bias has greater stretch and drape.

Bodice:The upper portion of a dress or garment, from the shoulders or neckline to the waist, fitted to the torso.

Bolt:A full roll of fabric as it comes from the manufacturer, typically wound around a flat cardboard core.

Bespoke:Custom-made clothing tailored to an individual client's measurements and specifications. Originates from Savile Row tailoring in London.

Colorway:A particular combination of colors in which a fabric pattern or garment design is produced.

Couturier / Couturiere:A fashion designer who creates haute couture garments. Couturier refers to a male designer, couturiere to a female designer.

Dart:A tapered, stitched fold of fabric used to shape a flat piece of cloth to the curves of the body.

Drape:The way fabric hangs and falls, determined by its weight, weave, and fiber content. Also refers to the design technique of shaping fabric on a form.

Ease:The difference between body measurements and garment measurements, added for comfort, movement, or design effect.

Facing:A piece of fabric used to finish raw edges of a garment, typically at necklines, armholes, and front openings, folded to the inside to create a clean edge.

Fiber:The basic raw material from which yarns and fabrics are made. Natural fibers include cotton, silk, wool, and linen; synthetic fibers include polyester, nylon, and acrylic.

Finishings:The final processes applied to a garment or fabric, including pressing, hemming, buttonhole making, and quality inspection.

Grain:The direction of threads in a woven fabric. Lengthwise grain (warp) runs parallel to the selvage; crosswise grain (weft) runs perpendicular.

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