Skills & work practices

• Follow clear instructions from relevant colleagues precisely.
• Follow and maintain work procedures.
• Select, use and store equipment and materials for example correct storage of patterns, purchasing materials and stock control.
• Identify and minimise hazards and risks in the workplace through safe working practice.
• Make the most efficient and effective use of resources, time and materials.
• Develop good communication skills with all staff in the company.

• How to interpret instructions based on a customer’s requirements.

• Effective use of equipment and safe working methods.
• Bespoke terminology and its use in the workplace.
• The need for standards of workmanship to be achieved.

• Prepare materials and trimmings.
• Be able to identify the origins of specific branded cloths used in the bespoke tailoring industry and use appropriately.
• Recognise faults in cloth and trimming.

• The characteristics of a variety of fabrics and their suitable application to construction.
• How heritage supports textile brands in the bespoke industry.
• How traditional manufactured cloth processes meet British and European standards and are fit for purpose.

• Explore the history and heritage of Savile Row styling of bespoke garments in order to advise customers.

• The heritage and culture of bespoke and its relevance and influence on today’s luxury market.

Garment Construction

• Develop a good working relationship with the cutter in order to receive the cut and trimmed garment bundle.
• Be able to canvas a coat by hand and prepare garment for the first fitting baste.
• Disassemble a garment and amend construction as per cutters instructions
• Prepare garment for second customer  fitting having completed all alterations as instructed by the cutter.

• How to make bespoke coats (jackets) trousers, waistcoats and skirts.
• The fitting and reassembling instructions in order to support the company’s workflow procedures.
• How to baste these garments through the adjustments process to final finishing, pressing and completion
• How to maintain a flow of production ensuring quality standards that meet the customer specifications.

• Complete the final alterations
• Hand make the buttonholes.
• Hand finish the garment inside and out.
• Press and prepare the garment for the final customer fitting
• Number and log each garment.

• The need for high standards of workmanship to be achieved.
• The balance between maintaining the quality of finish and the time and cost to the company.

• Prepare materials and trimmings for the garment.
• Have overall responsibility for the outcome of the finished garment.
• Organise purchasing of materials and stock control.

• Cloth characteristics and their behaviour.
• The importance of developing a good working relationship with the tailor.
• The importance of timely workflow to the company.
• The principles of garment construction for a range of garments such as jackets, trousers, waistcoats and overcoats.

Identifying and responding to customer requirements

• Liaise with the customer to ascertain their individual requirements.

• Measure the customer and analyse any figure variations that need to be addressed.
• Carry out a number of appropriate fittings.

• How to measure an individual customer in order to create their pattern.

• How different figure variations should be corrected.
• The need for customer satisfaction with a luxury garment.

  Preparation of

  component garment parts

Preparation of component garment parts

• Construct patterns.
• Lay out patterns, mark in cloth.
• Cut cloth and prepare bundle ready to give to the tailor.

• How to produce economical lays to company standards.
• The importance of correct ticketing and instructions.

Communication skills

• Carry out effective bespoke selling and after care.

• Discuss and advise on style of garment and cloth selection for specific use.
• Work as part of a team within a company.

• Diplomacy and effective communication skills.

• The role of the cutter the interface between the customer and the tailor.
• A range of styles and fashion trends and suitability of style to individual customers.