Application
This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge required to use a sewing machine to align and sew work pieces.
The unit of competency applies to sewing techniques where the positioning of the work is controlled by guide bars, sensor lights or other such guiding devices, or where there is uncomplicated feeding of the fabric.
Work is conducted according to defined procedures.
Work may be conducted in small to large scale enterprises and may involve individual and team activities.
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 | Determine job requirements | 1.1 | Follow standard operating procedures (SOPs) |
1.2 | Comply with work health and safety (WHS) requirements at all times | ||
1.3 | Use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) in accordance with SOPs | ||
1.4 | Identify job requirements from specifications, drawings, job sheets or work instructions | ||
2 | Prepare to use sewing machine | 2.1 | Receive work pieces, check specification sheets and plan follow-up action |
2.2 | Check that the bundle matches ticket information and that previous operations, such as pressing and cutting, have been successfully completed | ||
2.3 | Lay out work pieces in sequence | ||
2.4 | Set up workbench and seating according to workplace procedures | ||
2.5 | Clean, check, set up and adjust machines according to specifications for work | ||
2.6 | Identify poor machine performance and adjust as required | ||
3 | Sew work pieces | 3.1 | Sew pieces according to product requirements and quality standards |
3.2 | Use machine according to requirements for speed of work | ||
3.3 | Control machine speed and work handling according to type of operations, fabrics and product type | ||
4 | Assess quality of sewn pieces | 4.1 | Inspect sewn pieces against quality standards |
4.2 | Identify any faults or pieces that do not meet quality standards and report | ||
4.3 | Record results of quality inspection | ||
4.4 | Complete production records or packing slips as required | ||
4.5 | Direct work to next operation or packing section | ||
Evidence of Performance
Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy the requirements of the elements and performance criteria, and include:
reading and following work instructions, standard operating procedures (SOPs) and safe work practices
checking work against ticket information or specification sheets
preparing workstation tools and equipment
performing basic machining tasks where feeding and positioning of fabric is guided by the machine, using at least two (2) different fabrics, to sew at least one (1) sample of each of the following operations:
aligning and sewing straight seams
joining flat pieces of stable fabric together
top stitch, edge stitch, open seams, closed seams and lapped seams
sewing and doing routine maintenance on at least one (1) of the following machines:
plain lockstitch machine
three thread overlocker
zigzag machine
inspecting completed work to check quality and production output requirements, and identifying and correcting faults
recording results of quality inspection and completing production records or packing slips as required.
Evidence of Knowledge
Evidence must be provided that demonstrates knowledge of:
safe work practices and procedures and use of personal protective equipment (PPE)
garment assembly processes and machines where the positioning of the work may be controlled by guide bars, sensor lights or other such guiding devices, or where there is uncomplicated feeding of the fabric
techniques in using and maintaining one or more automatic machines:
plain lockstitch machine
three thread overlocker
zigzag machine
characteristics of stable woven and knitted fabrics and threads, such as cotton drill, calico, double knit, rugby knit and poplin
quality standards and practices
workplace procedures
recording and reporting practices.
Assessment Conditions
Assessors must:
satisfy the assessor competency requirements that are in place at the time of the assessment, as set by the VET regulator
have vocational competency in using a sewing machine, at least to the level being assessed, with relevant industry knowledge and experience.
Assessment should occur in operational workplace situations. Where this is not possible, or where personal safety or environmental damage are limiting factors, assessment must occur in a sufficiently rigorous simulated environment reflecting realistic operational workplace conditions. This must cover all aspects of workplace performance, including environment, task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills.
Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, literacy and numeracy requirements of the work being performed and the needs of the candidate.
Conditions for assessment must include access to all tools, equipment, materials and documentation required including relevant workplace procedures, product and manufacturing specifications associated with this unit.
Foundation Skills
This section describes those required skills (language, literacy and numeracy) that are essential to performance.
Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.
Range Statement
This field allows for 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. | |
Workplace procedures include one or more of the following: | requirements prescribed by legislation, awards, agreements and conditions of employment SOPs work instructions PPE oral, written and visual communication quality practices, including responsibility for maintenance of own work quality and contribution to quality improvement of team or section output housekeeping tasks related to environmental protection, waste disposal, pollution control and recycling WHS practices |
Australian Standards include: | the relevant industry or Australian Standards that are current at the time this unit is being undertaken |
Machines include: | Automatic machines used to perform basic machining tasks where feeding and positioning of fabric is guided by the machine, including one or more of the following: plain lockstitch machine three thread overlocker zigzag sewing machine |
Fabrics include one or more of the following | stable woven and knitted fabrics, such as cotton drill, calico, double knit, rugby knit and poplin |
Set-up includes the following: | ensuring correct thread, needle size and type, needle guard, tension setting and attachments |
Identify poor machine performance includes the following: | identifying worn or damaged parts, and reporting or replacing according to manufacturer specifications identifying tension faults identifying poor thread performance or incorrect thread selection identifying incorrect foot or needle for sewing identifying impact of poor machine performance on sewing checking and replacing worn or damaged needles and attachments (feet) |
Sewing operations include the following: | aligning and sewing straight seams joining flat pieces of stable fabric together top stitch, edge stitch, open seams, closed seams and lapped seams |
Sectors
Not applicable
Competency Field
Clothing production