Apprenticeship training course

Garment maker (level 3)

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

• Qualification level: 3 ; Equivalent to A level.
• Typical duration: 24 months
• Apprenticeship category: Creative and design
• Maximum funding: £10,000 ; Maximum amount government will fund ; for apprenticeship training.
• Also known as:
  • Assistant costume tailor
  • Assistant production tailor
  • Assistant tailor
  • Costume maker
  • Costumier
  • Couturier
  • Dressmaker
  • Production machinist
  • Sample machinist
  • Seamstress
• Skills:
  Skills an apprentice will learn

  • 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.

Full information on Garment maker (level 3) is available from the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education.

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