Apprenticeship training course

Garment maker (level 3)

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Information about Garment maker (level 3)

Constructing garments - bringing the design to life, following specifications and quality standards.

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

  Knowledge

  • 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.
  • The principles of clothing design and construction for example style, function, fit, balance, proportion, aesthetics.
  • Garment making quality standards, for example, British Standards (BSI) International Standards (ISO).
  • Garment making instructions and specifications, for example pattern markings, grain lines, component shapes, garment dimensions, allowances, tolerances.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Sewing needle systems, functions and physical characteristics including needle point, size and specialism.
  • Sewing work aids and attachments including function, compatibility and advantages for example to decrease handling, increase production, improve quality decrease manufacturing cost.
  • Hand stitches and what they are used for, for example basting, buttonhole stitch, catch stitch, beading weaving stitch, blind hemming.
  • Seam types and what they are used for, for example lapped seams, bound seams, decorative seams.
  • Finishing techniques, for example rolled hems zips, closures.
  • Garment assembly processes including sewing methods and assembly sequence.
  • Garment shaping techniques, for example, darts, gathers, and tucks.
  • Garment labelling and related legislation for example fibre content, care requirements.
  • Measurement and figuration techniques, for example measurement points, girth measurement, length and breadth measurements, body shape.
  • Garment balance, drape, silhouette and sizing, including national, international, made-to-measure and bespoke sizes.
  • Specialist terminology used in garment construction, for example drape, ease, baste, nap, ruching, applique.
  • Common manufacturing issues and construction faults, and rectification for example unsuitable sewing techniques, poorly cut components, incorrect construction, mismatched seams, damage, incorrect markings.
  • Garment making costs and effective use of resources for example minimising waste, time and materials.
  • 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.
  • Returns and faults analysis and the impact of faulty products.
  • The use and importance of garment making documentation, for example production make-up sheets, dockets, electrical systems.
  • The principles of lean manufacturing, for example continuous improvement, work flow, performance monitoring, production rates, waste elimination.
  • Customer and brand awareness for example customer profile, customer expectations and target market.
  • Routine sewing machine maintenance, for example machine cleaning, lubrication, stitch setting, needle replacement, reporting more serious machine problems that require a machine mechanic.
  • Garment pressing techniques, equipment settings and the effects of heat, steam and, pressure on fabric and garments.

  Skills

  • Interpret and follow garment specifications, patterns and/or instructions.
  • Inspect garment components, identify and deal with any issues found, for example material/design compatibility, surface flaws, shading, misprint, pulls, holes, shrinkage.
  • Select, prepare and operate sewing machines, for example lockstitch machine, blind hemmer including machine adjustment for different materials.
  • Organise work and workstation layout.
  • Assemble fabric components to make a whole garment.
  • Select and use different types of sewing needles for different materials, for example size, diamond point, ballpoint.
  • Select and use different types of attachments, for example adjustable presser foot, zipper foot, seam guide, applique foot.
  • Match fabric prints, checks and stripes during garment assemble.
  • Hand stitch garments, for example baste, catch, running, slip, chain or couching stitch.
  • Sew different seam types, for example, flat seams, lapped seams, over locked seam.
  • Shape garments using different sewing techniques, for example, darts, gathers, tucks.
  • Position and attach trimmings, for example braid, bias lace. buttons, eyelets.
  • Finish garments; selecting appropriate techniques, for example rolled hems, zip insertion, pockets, fusing.
  • Press garments; set up and operate pressing equipment for example steam irons, block press, trouser press and steamroll.
  • Check the balance, component positions, set, grain, ease and drape of garments using mannequins or modelling.
  • Use the tools of the trade to make and shape garments, for example scissors, snips, steamroll, corner shaper, loop turner, measuring tape, mannequins.
  • Measure and figurate garments considering critical measurement points, body shape and silhouette.
  • Select, position and apply labels for example care, size and brand labels.
  • Complete records and technical documents, for example production make-up sheets, work dockets.
  • Inspect the quality of construction during the garment make-up process and change methods if required.
  • Identify, diagnose and rectify garment faults, for example poor fit, sizing, mismatched seams, fabric damage, incorrect markings, returns.
  • Develop and apply the production sequence and assembly method.
  • Review complete garments, contribute recommendations that may benefit the garment or the manufacturing process.
  • Communicate with colleagues and/or stakeholders – verbal and written; using industry terminology, for example drape, ease, baste, nap, grain.
  • Make and apply collars for example shirt collar and stand, convertible collar, shawl collar or mandarin collar.

  Behaviours

  • Health and safety first attitude, for example prioritises the health, safety and welfare of self and others over other demands.
  • Takes ownership for work, for example accepts responsibilities, demonstrates initiative, motivated and self-managing.
  • Team player, for example builds co-operative and respectful working relationships across all relevant levels and department; takes account of equality and diversity interactions.
  • 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.
• Apprenticeship category (sector): Creative and design
• Qualification level: 3; Equal to A level
• Course duration: 24 months
• Maximum funding: £10,000 ; Maximum government funding for ; apprenticeship training and assessment costs.
• Job titles include:
  • Assistant costume tailor
  • Assistant production tailor
  • Assistant tailor
  • Costume maker
  • Costumier
  • Couturier
  • Dressmaker
  • Production machinist
  • Sample machinist
  • Seamstress

View more information about Garment maker (level 3) from the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education.