<p>This paper is based on the theory of “image schema” in cognitive linguistics, taking the teaching interface of clothing operation knowledge as a research case, to explore the innovative application of image schema in 3D virtual simulation teaching interfaces, aiming to improve learners' ability to gain clothing operation knowledge. This study includes three main stages. First, the image schema related to clothing operation behavior is summarized through an expert interview method. Next, according to the prototypes of image schema such as start-up, light–dark, path, matching, and compulsion schema, 3D animation is created, and the matching degree experiment between the schema and operation behavior is carried out. Finally, based on the high matching degree schema, the teaching interface is optimized, and its effectiveness is verified through interface satisfaction evaluation. The experimental results show that the matching degree of the 3D representation of the image schema introduced with the physical operation behavior of clothing is significantly greater than that of the design without the schema. Moreover, the optimized interface has significant advantages in terms of learners' satisfaction with the learning effect of operation knowledge. The experiment verifies the applicability of image schema theory in clothing operation virtual simulation teaching, proposes a new method of 3D representation based on image schema, and provides theoretical support and a practical path for the optimization of the clothing field operational 3D teaching interfaces.</p>