Apprenticeship training course

Fashion and textiles pattern cutter (level 3)

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Information about Fashion and textiles pattern cutter (level 3)

Producing a variety of products from clothing and fashion items to leather goods, soft furnishings, marine and medical textiles.

• Knowledge, skills and behaviours:
  View knowledge, skills and behaviours

  Knowledge

  • Different customer requirements e.g. quality standards, product finish, timescale
  • The supply chain relevant to the manufacture of sewn products
  • The input and output of goods and services relevant to production e.g. delivery timescales, lead times, production deadlines
  • The properties and construction of fabric and materials e.g. woven, knitted, non woven
  • The behaviour and characteristics of materials used to produce sewn products e.g. stretchy, slippery, stiff, dense, shrinkage, fabric weight, drape, print, finish
  • Specifications relevant the production of clothing and sewn products e.g. seam allowances, tolerances, hem depths
  • Quality standards and specifications relevant to the production of sewn products e.g. seam types, stitch types, tolerances, product finish
  • Pattern fault diagnosis and rectification procedures e.g. poor fit, sizing, mismatched seams, incorrect markings
  • Quality approval systems and control processes e.g. Inspection of samples, materials and products against specifications
  • Clothing or sewn product design briefs evaluation inform pattern production
  • Drafting standard block patterns
  • Adapting block patterns to reflect given clothing or sewn product designs briefs
  • Pattern construction techniques e.g. drafting, measuring and marking
  • Standard and international sizing relevant to the item in production e.g. ladies wear, children’s wear, tent diameters, car seat dimensions
  • Measuring techniques relevant to the product e.g. critical measurement points, girth measurement, length and breadth measurements
  • Calculations relevant to the production of clothing or sewn products e.g. ease, hems, seam allowance
  • The principles of grading e.g. grading methods appropriate to product type, size, fit and proportion, grade rules and applications
  • Specialist terminology used in pattern construction e.g. armscye, grain, balance, apex
  • The tools of the trade e.g. draft paper, markers, curves scissors, punchers, notchers
  • Material cutting processes and techniques e.g. spreading, specialist cutting equipment, lay planning processes, placement prints
  • Different construction methods and manufacturing processes
  • Sample development and sample review techniques e.g. fit, style, construction analysis
  • Pattern review techniques, analysis and rectification processes
  • Relevant computerised pattern production systems e.g. CAD, Graphics software, digitisers, scanners, virtual modelling
  • Technical documents and recording systems used in pattern production e.g. tech-packs, specifications, production make-up sheets
  • Critical path management processes to ensure pattern production meets timescales and deadline
  • The company’s communication protocol across all levels and departments involved in the pattern production and manufacturing process
  • Health, safety, welfare and environmental policies including safe working practices and workplace risks
  • Workplace policies e.g. employer and employee legal obligations, employees’ rights and responsibilities, equality and diversity
  • Compliance requirements in relation to garments or sewn products e.g. safety, fibre content, legislation
  • Legislative and contractual requirements with clients, services or government bodies

  Skills

  • Read, interpret and assess design briefs, specifications and instructions
  • Identify clothing or sewn product design features
  • Identify possible constraints e.g. design issues, materials, manufacturing capacity
  • Draft block patterns to style/size/measurements required
  • Take and record accurate measurements if required
  • Include all relevant technical information e.g. balance marks, notches, seam allowance, grain lines and size and component name and cutting instructions
  • Where available use relevant IT systems e.g. CAD, Graphics software, digitisers, scanners, virtual modelling
  • Adapt standard block pattern to reflect given designs
  • Ensure patterns are compatible with the production process
  • Include all relevant technical information e.g. balance marks, notches, grain lines, size
  • Work with the sample machinists and oversee sample production
  • Where available use relevant IT systems e.g. CAD, Graphics software, digitisers, scanners, virtual modelling
  • Review the sample product and evaluate the prototype pattern, assessing the size, fit, shape, fall, style and design
  • Trouble shoot and resolve pattern and design issues as required
  • Identify and agree the required pattern rectifications
  • Make agreed adjustment to the pattern e.g. add width or length, redefine style lines
  • Create the final master pattern, include clear relevant information e.g. component information, size, grain line, cutting instructions
  • Where available use relevant IT systems e.g. CAD, graphics software, digitisers, scanners, virtual modelling
  • Provide production staff or supplier with final master pattern and production information
  • Provide support and advise relating to any relevant production issues e.g. assembly watch points, component issues, fabric defects
  • Complete and maintain accurate working documents throughout the pattern production process
  • Develop and maintain effective communication with sewing production staff to ensure a productive work environment
  • Accurately complete work documentation e.g. tech packs, specifications or electronic systems and understand the consequences of incorrectly completed records

  Behaviours

  • Take ownership and accept responsibility for pattern production work and strive to improve product quality and pattern production processes
  • Be responsive to changing priorities and requirements of the sewn product industry, demonstrating initiative, confidence and self-motivation
  • Demonstrate a methodical and calm approach to work place pressures, deadlines and production demands
  • Work positively as part of a team, taking account of equality and diversity
  • Demonstrate assertiveness, resilience and confidence when communicating views and ideas that will benefit pattern production
  • Be reflective on skills, knowledge and behaviours and seek opportunities to develop and advance skills in response to the evolving production environment and technologies
  • Have a safety first attitude, ensuring the safety of self and others as appropriate in a sewn product manufacturing environment
• Apprenticeship category (sector): Engineering and manufacturing
• Qualification level: 3; Equal to A level
• Course duration: 22 months
• Funding: £9,000 ; Maximum government funding for ; apprenticeship training and assessment costs.

View more information about Fashion and textiles pattern cutter (level 3) from Skills England.