Application
This unit of competency covers hand sewing hems and shaped components, and hand finishing work for soft furnishings.
No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. | ||
1 | Identify materials and sewing requirements | 1.1 | Required materials are identified from work order |
1.2 | Special requirements for the stitching, including stitch type, length and end finishing requirements, are identified from work order | ||
2 | Assemble and organise materials to be sewn | 2.1 | Work health and safety (WHS) requirements, including ergonomic criteria and personal protection needs, are observed throughout the work |
2.2 | Materials to be sewn are collected and inspected for appropriate quality | ||
2.3 | Naps, direction of pattern and face side of the materials are identified | ||
2.4 | Required shape or form of the finished item is made and secured using tacking stitches, pins, adhesives or fixtures to assist in sewing operations | ||
2.5 | Appropriate needle types are selected and threaded | ||
3 | Sew by hand | 3.1 | Materials are held to allow for sewing in the required direction |
3.2 | Hand sewing operations are completed to ensure finished components match work requirements | ||
4 | Finish work | 4.1 | Finished stitching, including sewn area, seam width, stitch length, end finishing, allowances, shape and finish, are checked |
4.2 | Top stitching or other decorative features are checked for required finish | ||
4.3 | Where required, stitching or seams are eased and work is pressed for the next stage | ||
4.4 | Raw edges are trimmed and any loose or untrimmed threads are removed | ||
4.5 | Any part of the work which does not comply with work order is repaired | ||
4.6 | Problems are notified following workplace procedures | ||
5 | Complete work for next process | 5.1 | Finished work is folded, protected and despatched to the next process following workplace procedures |
5.2 | Any required documentation is completed and stored following workplace procedures | ||
Evidence of Performance
Interpret work order and locate and apply relevant information
Apply safe handling requirements for equipment, products and materials, including use of personal protective equipment
Identify materials used in the work process
Follow work instructions, operating procedures and inspection processes to:
minimise the risk of injury to self or others
prevent damage to goods, equipment and products
maintain required production output and product quality
Identify materials used and any special sewing requirements for the materials to be sewn and hand sew at least five (5) different soft furnishing products or use five (5) different techniques
Use mathematical ideas and techniques to correctly complete measurements, calculate area and estimate material requirements
Communicate ideas and information to enable confirmation of work requirements and specifications and the reporting of work outcomes and problems, interpret basic plans and follow safety procedures
Avoid backtracking, work flow interruptions or wastage
Work with others and in a team by recognising dependencies and using cooperative approaches to optimise work flow and productivity
Evidence of Knowledge
Soft furnishing work requirements, including workplace standards
Identification of techniques and procedures for hand sewing processes
Fabric types, common faults and inspection procedures
Sewing methods to be used with different fabric types
Risks to health from repetitive actions and prevention strategies
Design features of the articles sewn in relation to the methods and stitches to be used
Assessment Conditions
Assessors must:
hold training and assessment competencies as determined by the National Skills Standards Council (NSSC) or its successors
have vocational competency in the furnishing industry at least to the level being assessed with broad industry knowledge and experience, usually combined with a relevant industry qualification
be familiar with the current skills and knowledge used and have relevant, current experience in the furnishing industry.
Assessment methods must confirm consistency of performance over time rather than a single assessment event and in a range of workplace relevant contexts.
Assessment must be by observation of relevant tasks with questioning on underpinning knowledge and, where applicable, multimedia evidence, supervisor’s reports, projects and work samples.
Assessment is to be conducted on single units of competency or in conjunction with other related units of competency. Foundation skills are integral to competent performance in the unit and should not be assessed separately.
Assessment must occur on the job or in a workplace simulated facility with relevant process, equipment, materials, work instructions and deadlines.
Access is required to appropriate sewing equipment, fabrics and work orders.
Foundation Skills
Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency. Detail on appropriate performance levels for each furnishing unit of competency in reading, writing, oral communication and numeracy utilising the Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF) are provided in the Furnishing Training Package Implementation Guide.
Range Statement
Specifies different work environments and conditions that may affect performance. Essential operating conditions that may be present (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) are included. Range is restricted to essential operating conditions and any other variables essential to the work environment. | |
Unit context includes: | WHS requirements including, legislation, building codes, material safety management systems, hazardous and dangerous goods codes, and local safe operating procedures or equivalent work is carried out in accordance with legislative obligations, environmental legislation, relevant health regulations, manual handling procedures and organisation insurance requirements work requires individuals to demonstrate some discretion, judgement and problem solving |
Purposes of hand sewing include: | sewing and manipulation requirements for hand sewing a range of upholstery and other furnishing fabrics the joining of all types of fabrics, single or multi-thickness, partly constructed materials and heavy materials, including leather hemming, seams, tacking, button attachment, and hand finishing of trims and decorations |
Tools and equipment include: | needles threads |
Materials to be sewn include: | plain and patterned fabrics for a variety of curtains drapes and cushions attachments lining interlining webbings or padding |
Sewing direction is determined by: | stitch type and location personal right or left-hand preference of the sewer manipulation requirements for the bulk and slipperiness of the materials |
Hand sewing work quality requirements include: | beginning and end of stitching are secure appropriate allowances (or hem and/or other allowance), stitch type, length and visibility are used sewn area or hems are flat and/or appropriately shaped finished components match work requirements |
Personal protective equipment includes: | that prescribed under legislation, regulations and enterprise policies and practices |
Information and procedures include: | workplace procedures relating to the use of tools and equipment work instructions, including job sheets, cutting lists, plans, drawings and designs workplace procedures relating to reporting and communication manufacturer specifications and operational procedures |
Sectors
Soft Furnishing