Apprenticeship training course

Bespoke cutter and tailor (level 5)

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Information about Bespoke cutter and tailor (level 5)

Producing tailored garments that are cut and made to a unique pattern for an individual.

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

  Knowledge

  • Material manufacturing processes from raw material to finished product. How they meet British and international standards.
  • Properties and characteristics of cloth.
  • Professional client relationship management. For example, liaising on suitability of cloth, materials and trimmings when agreeing specifications for bespoke garments.
  • Properties and characteristics of trimmings.
  • Data protection laws and confidentiality protocols for the setting and the impact on the role including social media policy.
  • How to interpret figure and posture to produce a bespoke fit.
  • The range of bespoke individual styles and their suitability to clients.
  • Roles and responsibilities of the cutter and tailor. Agreed communication channels with the client.
  • Bespoke cutting and tailoring terminology.
  • Recognising defects in materials and the impact on the bespoke garment.
  • Quality control throughout the bespoke process.
  • How to maintain and safely use tools, equipment and machinery.
  • The importance of timely workflow to meet the agreed specification.
  • Efficient use of resources, time and materials.
  • Health and safety at work legislation.
  • How to handle and store bespoke cut components in the making process.
  • How to handle and store finished bespoke garments.
  • Processes to log and number each bespoke garment and methods of tracking for example an order book or checklist.
  • Quality assurance including formal recording methods for alterations to a bespoke garment.
  • How to decide if an adjustment or repair is both sustainable and viable to a bespoke garment.
  • The availability and cost of bespoke materials.
  • How to establish component costs.
  • Costing of a bespoke garment.
  • How to measure a client and observe figure variations for the construction of a bespoke cutting pattern.
  • How to organise purchasing of materials.
  • Stock control methods such as taking inventories.
  • The bespoke process to meet the specification.
  • Technical planning of the client commission for a range of bespoke garments, such as jackets, trousers, waistcoats.
  • Bespoke cutter review and approval processes in relation to the specification for example in relation to fit, quality and cost.
  • Client aftercare.
  • How to interpret body measurements and figure variations to inform the construction of bespoke cutting patterns.
  • Preparation of component bespoke garment parts.
  • How to prepare and produce economical lay plans.
  • Inspection of garment components and finished garments at defined process stages.
  • Material manufacturing processes from raw material to finished product. How they meet British and international standards.
  • Properties and characteristics of cloth.
  • Professional client relationship management. For example, liaising on suitability of cloth, materials and trimmings when agreeing specifications for bespoke garments.
  • Properties and characteristics of trimmings.
  • Data protection laws and confidentiality protocols for the setting and the impact on the role including social media policy.
  • How to interpret figure and posture to produce a bespoke fit.
  • The range of bespoke individual styles and their suitability to clients.
  • Roles and responsibilities of the cutter and tailor. Agreed communication channels with the client.
  • Bespoke cutting and tailoring terminology.
  • Recognising defects in materials and the impact on the bespoke garment.
  • Quality control throughout the bespoke process.
  • How to maintain and safely use tools, equipment and machinery.
  • The importance of timely workflow to meet the agreed specification.
  • Efficient use of resources, time and materials.
  • Health and safety at work legislation.
  • How to handle and store bespoke cut components in the making process.
  • How to handle and store finished bespoke garments.
  • Processes to log and number each bespoke garment and methods of tracking for example an order book or checklist.
  • Quality assurance including formal recording methods for alterations to a bespoke garment.
  • How to decide if an adjustment or repair is both sustainable and viable to a bespoke garment.
  • The availability and cost of bespoke materials.
  • How to read and interpret cutter instructions.
  • Different work methods, appropriate to the use of a range of materials.
  • Construction details of style elements including pocket types such as double jetted, welted or slanted.
  • How to baste and re-baste bespoke garments through a process of adjustments.
  • How to complete and press bespoke garments to specification.
  • Figure and body types and how these impact on the bespoke garment construction process.
  • How to adapt bespoke features to different body proportions.
  • Adjustments as instructed by the cutter.

  Skills

  • Produce a bespoke specification to deliver against agreed client requirements such as design, material and timeframe.
  • Professional communication with stakeholders.
  • Interpret specification, managing expectations both internally and externally.
  • Professional communication with colleagues to ensure a productive work environment.
  • Maintain comprehensive records relating to the sale and production of bespoke garments.
  • Identify defects in materials and take the correct course of action to rectify.
  • Select materials suitable for intended use.
  • Diagnose and improve on issues against the specification of the bespoke garment.
  • Store tools and equipment for example shears and scissors.
  • Identify and minimise hazards and control risks in the workplace to maintain work procedures ensuring health and safety requirements are met.
  • Select, prepare, and test tools and machinery, including adjustments for different materials.
  • Correctly handle and store bespoke cut components in the making process.
  • Evaluate the effectiveness of the bespoke cutting and tailoring process.
  • Handle and store finished bespoke garments in a safe and suitable location ready for client fitting or collection.
  • Assess bespoke garment and implement the appropriate method to remedy a problem.
  • Implement efficient and effective use of resources, time and materials.
  • Carry out cost calculation for a bespoke garment.
  • Carry out bespoke selling and after care.
  • Take a full set of body measurements. Observe and record client posture and figure.
  • Organise purchasing of materials.
  • Record materials on receipt from suppliers. Manage stock levels.
  • Coordination of the bespoke process to meet the specification.
  • Produce bespoke cutting patterns according to customer requirements.
  • Lay out cutting patterns to create an efficient lay plan and mark the cloth.
  • Cut cloth and trimmings for the bespoke garment. Include sufficient inlays to ensure the bespoke garment has longevity.
  • Create bundle with all component parts including the specification for onward progression storing any spare cloth and trimmings.
  • Carry out fittings ensuring that the bespoke garment meets the specification such as adapting to figure and posture.
  • Adjust bespoke cutting patterns following fittings.
  • Produce a bespoke specification to deliver against agreed client requirements such as design, material and timeframe.
  • Professional communication with stakeholders.
  • Interpret specification, managing expectations both internally and externally.
  • Professional communication with colleagues to ensure a productive work environment.
  • Maintain comprehensive records relating to the sale and production of bespoke garments.
  • Identify defects in materials and take the correct course of action to rectify.
  • Select materials suitable for intended use.
  • Diagnose and improve on issues against the specification of the bespoke garment.
  • Store tools and equipment for example shears and scissors.
  • Identify and minimise hazards and control risks in the workplace to maintain work procedures ensuring health and safety requirements are met.
  • Select, prepare, and test tools and machinery, including adjustments for different materials.
  • Correctly handle and store bespoke cut components in the making process.
  • Evaluate the effectiveness of the bespoke cutting and tailoring process.
  • Handle and store finished bespoke garments in a safe and suitable location ready for client fitting or collection.
  • Assess bespoke garment and implement the appropriate method to remedy a problem.
  • Implement efficient and effective use of resources, time and materials.
  • Disassemble a garment and amend construction as per cutters instructions.
  • Inspect bespoke garment components to confirm it is complete and meets the specification. Report issues to cutter.
  • Make proportionate style details to suit body shape such as lapel size.
  • Interpret body shapes to achieve a correctly proportioned bespoke garment.
  • Prepare the bespoke garment by hand for fitting. For example, canvas a coat.
  • Prepare the bespoke garment for any required additional fittings having completed all adjustments as instructed by the cutter such as pocket placement and size.
  • Construct style elements for a bespoke garment including making pockets such as double jetted, welted or slanted.
  • Complete final adjustments and hand stich buttonholes. Hand finish the bespoke garment inside and out.
  • Inspect the quality of construction during the bespoke process.

  Behaviours

  • Commitment to maintaining high standards of precision and excellence.
  • Focus on the requirements of the customer in a respectful and professional manner.
  • Strong work ethic and commitment in order to meet the standards required.
  • Recognition and appreciation of equality and diversity in the workplace.
  • Commitment to maintaining high standards of precision and excellence.
  • Focus on the requirements of the customer in a respectful and professional manner.
  • Strong work ethic and commitment in order to meet the standards required.
  • Recognition and appreciation of equality and diversity in the workplace.
• Apprenticeship category (sector): Creative and design
• Qualification level: 5; Equal to higher national diploma (HND)
• Course duration: 24 months
• Maximum funding: £15,000 ; Maximum government funding for ; apprenticeship training and assessment costs.
• Job titles include:
  • Bespoke cutter
  • Bespoke tailor

View more information about Bespoke cutter and tailor (level 5) from the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education.