Application
This unit of competency covers laying out patterns and cutting fabrics for construction of soft furnishings, upholstery products, and mattresses and bases.
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 | Plan work operations | 1.1 | Specifications, patterns and/or plans are read and interpreted to identify required fabrics, number of items to be cut and required equipment | |
1.2 | Work health and safety (WHS) requirements, including ergonomic criteria and personal protection needs, are observed throughout the work | |||
1.3 | Cutting requirements, including bias or other instructions, are noted and required guides on the cutting table are identified | |||
1.4 | Suitable work area is selected, tidied and cleaned of any contaminants | |||
1.5 | Appropriate equipment and tools are selected for the fabrics and type of materials | |||
1.6 | Suitable scissors and/or blades are selected for the fabrics to be cut | |||
1.7 | Scissors and any other cutting equipment are checked prior to use for appropriate sharpness, set operation and safe condition | |||
1.8 | Fabrics are selected in accordance with work order and laid out smooth and square | |||
2 | Prepare materials for cutting | 2.1 | Fabrics are inspected for flaws and appropriate finish | |
2.2 | Naps, direction of pattern, pattern repeat and finished side of the materials are identified | |||
2.3 | Fabrics are squared up to the edges or guide markings on the cutting table | |||
2.4 | Patterns are laid out following work procedures and instructions using registration points on the pattern and other instructions to match required fabric pattern | |||
2.5 | Measurements are made and appropriate adjustments are made | |||
2.6 | Tools and equipment are checked for operation | |||
3 | Complete cutting operations | 3.1 | Required cutting operations are completed to cut out materials following work instructions | |
3.2 | Fabrics are wrapped using appropriate protective covers and care label information is attached | |||
3.3 | Unused materials are stored as required | |||
3.4 | Workplace required documentation is completed and stored following appropriate procedures | |||
3.5 | Cut fabrics are folded, protected and despatched to next process following workplace procedures | |||
3.6 | Stock usage is reported as required by workplace procedures | |||
3.7 | Work area is cleaned and damaged tools tagged as required | |||
3.8 | Waste is collected and bundled for recycling/re-use as required | |||
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
Lay out patterns, measure accurately and cut out at least five (5) different fabric types or pattern styles identifying the materials used and any special cutting requirements
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
Fabric types, common faults and inspection procedures
Design features of the finished furnishing items in relation to laying out the pattern and cutting the fabrics
Work requirements, including workplace standards
Risks to health from repetitive actions and prevention strategies
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 fabrics, work procedures and/or equipment instructions.
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 |
Cutting fabrics includes: | single or double layer fabrics by hand or automatic method according to required shape or pattern plain fabrics as well as those which involve matching stripes, checks and pattern repeats |
Tools and equipment include: | scissors cutting blades automatic cutting machines |
Fabric types include: | plain and patterned fabric vinyl velvet |
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