Abstract: Distributed virtual worlds, as online interactive 3D virtual environments and communities through which users can interact with one another, have been integrated widely in research in the social, medical, commercial, educational and entertainment areas. In this study, the authors present a recent instructional practice using Second Life as a platform to deepen the quality of Functional Apparel Design teaching and scaffold the construction of a virtual world with some key issues including situated cognition, role-playing strategy and virtual life experience simulation. It was found that the virtual world improved the learners' outcomes significantly in Functional Apparel Design study. In addition, it was found that the majority of the learners participating in the study think that virtual experience can arouse interest, fun and interaction.