Garment maker

Knowledge

K1: The ‘end-to-end’ process required to make a garment from concept to finished product for example design, pattern development, sampling, cutting, sewing, final checks. Back to Duty

K2: The principles of clothing design and construction for example style, function, fit, balance, proportion, aesthetics. Back to Duty

K3: Garment making quality standards, for example, British Standards (BSI) International Standards (ISO). Back to Duty

K4: Garment making instructions and specifications, for example pattern markings, grain lines, component shapes, garment dimensions, allowances, tolerances. Back to Duty

K5: The characteristics, properties, and cost of materials including compatibility with different designs, faults,threads and different handling methods for a range of materials, for example, stretch jersey, satin, wool, linen, cotton. Back to Duty

K6: Different types of machines, equipment and tools used to produce garments, for example lockstitch machine, blind hemmer, scissors, snips, corner shaper, loop turner, measuring tape, mannequins; machine testing, setting up and operating machines safely. Back to Duty

K7: Health, safety, welfare and environmental policies and procedures including Health & Safety at Work Act; safe working practices, workplace risks employer and employee legal obligations, employees’ rights and responsibilities, ethical trading standards, equality and diversity. Back to Duty

K8: Sewing needle systems, functions and physical characteristics including needle point, size and specialism. Back to Duty

K9: Sewing work aids and attachments including function, compatibility and advantages for example to decrease handling, increase production, improve quality decrease manufacturing cost. Back to Duty

K10: Hand stitches and what they are used for, for example basting, buttonhole stitch, catch stitch, beading weaving stitch, blind hemming. Back to Duty

K11: Seam types and what they are used for, for example lapped seams, bound seams, decorative seams. Back to Duty

K12: Finishing techniques, for example rolled hems zips, closures. Back to Duty

K13: Garment assembly processes including sewing methods and assembly sequence. Back to Duty

K14: Garment shaping techniques, for example, darts, gathers, and tucks. Back to Duty

K15: Garment labelling and related legislation for example fibre content, care requirements. Back to Duty

K16: Measurement and figuration techniques, for example measurement points, girth measurement, length and breadth measurements, body shape. Back to Duty

K17: Garment balance, drape, silhouette and sizing, including national, international, made-to-measure and bespoke sizes. Back to Duty

K18: Specialist terminology used in garment construction, for example drape, ease, baste, nap, ruching, applique. Back to Duty

K19: Common manufacturing issues and construction faults, and rectification for example unsuitable sewing techniques, poorly cut components, incorrect construction, mismatched seams, damage, incorrect markings. Back to Duty

K20: Garment making costs and effective use of resources for example minimising waste, time and materials. Back to Duty

K21: The garment review and approval processes, for example review of fit, balance, drape, measurements, quality, design, pattern, construction, cost and risk assessment, sample sealing, customer approval. Back to Duty

K22: Returns and faults analysis and the impact of faulty products. Back to Duty

K23: The use and importance of garment making documentation, for example production make-up sheets, dockets, electrical systems. Back to Duty

K24: The principles of lean manufacturing, for example continuous improvement, work flow, performance monitoring, production rates, waste elimination. Back to Duty

K25: Customer and brand awareness for example customer profile, customer expectations and target market. Back to Duty

K26: Routine sewing machine maintenance, for example machine cleaning, lubrication, stitch setting, needle replacement, reporting more serious machine problems that require a machine mechanic. Back to Duty

K27: Garment pressing techniques, equipment settings and the effects of heat, steam and, pressure on fabric and garments. Back to Duty

Skills

S1: Interpret and follow garment specifications, patterns and/or instructions. Back to Duty

S2: Inspect garment components, identify and deal with any issues found, for example material/design compatibility, surface flaws, shading, misprint, pulls, holes, shrinkage. Back to Duty

S3: Select, prepare and operate sewing machines, for example lockstitch machine, blind hemmer including machine adjustment for different materials. Back to Duty

S4: Organise work and workstation layout. Back to Duty

S5: Assemble fabric components to make a whole garment. Back to Duty

S6: Select and use different types of sewing needles for different materials, for example size, diamond point, ballpoint. Back to Duty

S7: Select and use different types of attachments, for example adjustable presser foot, zipper foot, seam guide, applique foot. Back to Duty

S8: Match fabric prints, checks and stripes during garment assemble. Back to Duty

S9: Hand stitch garments, for example baste, catch, running, slip, chain or couching stitch. Back to Duty

S10: Sew different seam types, for example, flat seams, lapped seams, over locked seam. Back to Duty

S11: Shape garments using different sewing techniques, for example, darts, gathers, tucks. Back to Duty

S12: Position and attach trimmings, for example braid, bias lace. buttons, eyelets. Back to Duty

S13: Finish garments; selecting appropriate techniques, for example rolled hems, zip insertion, pockets, fusing. Back to Duty

S14: Press garments; set up and operate pressing equipment for example steam irons, block press, trouser press and steamroll. Back to Duty

S15: Check the balance, component positions, set, grain, ease and drape of garments using mannequins or modelling. Back to Duty

S16: Use the tools of the trade to make and shape garments, for example scissors, snips, steamroll, corner shaper, loop turner, measuring tape, mannequins. Back to Duty

S17: Measure and figurate garments considering critical measurement points, body shape and silhouette. Back to Duty

S18: Select, position and apply labels for example care, size and brand labels. Back to Duty

S19: Complete records and technical documents, for example production make-up sheets, work dockets. Back to Duty

S20: Inspect the quality of construction during the garment make-up process and change methods if required. Back to Duty

S21: Identify, diagnose and rectify garment faults, for example poor fit, sizing, mismatched seams, fabric damage, incorrect markings, returns. Back to Duty

S22: Develop and apply the production sequence and assembly method. Back to Duty

S23: Review complete garments, contribute recommendations that may benefit the garment or the manufacturing process. Back to Duty

S24: Communicate with colleagues and/or stakeholders – verbal and written; using industry terminology, for example drape, ease, baste, nap, grain. Back to Duty

S25: Make and apply collars for example shirt collar and stand, convertible collar, shawl collar or mandarin collar. Back to Duty

Behaviours

B1: Health and safety first attitude, for example prioritises the health, safety and welfare of self and others over other demands. Back to Duty

B2: Takes ownership for work, for example accepts responsibilities, demonstrates initiative, motivated and self-managing. Back to Duty

B3: Team player, for example builds co-operative and respectful working relationships across all relevant levels and department; takes account of equality and diversity interactions. Back to Duty

B4: Committed to continued professional development, for example reflects on knowledge, skills and behaviours, seeks opportunities to develop and advance in response to the evolving production environment and technologies. Back to Duty