Application
This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge required to repair and alter finished garments based on client needs.
The unit of competency applies to repairing garments that have been damaged, either during the production process or during normal wear. It also applies to the alteration of garments following production, where they do not fit an individual.
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 for repairs and alterations | 2.1 | Identify type of garment damage or alteration required |
2.2 | Determine repair or alteration work requirements, take measurements and develop plan | ||
2.3 | Lay out work in sequence according to repair or alteration plan | ||
2.4 | Prepare workstation, machines and equipment | ||
3 | Sew minor alterations or repairs by machine or hand | 3.1 | Repair or alter product according to product requirements, quality standards and required operations |
3.2 | Control machine speed and work handling for type of operations, fabrics and product type, and workplace procedures | ||
3.3 | Regularly check performance of machine for signs of faulty operation, including evidence from inspection of finished pieces, and take required action | ||
4 | Complete work | 4.1 | Inspect product and check against quality standards, identify any faults and take appropriate action |
4.2 | Record results of inspection of finished product and complete client records | ||
4.3 | Direct completed work to finish 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), safe work practices
applying relevant standards
planning process for repairs or alterations to occur
checking work pieces against specifications for repairs or alterations
preparing workstation and work before commencing sewing operations
repairing or altering at least four (4) products according to product requirements, quality standards and required operations
applying range of sewing techniques as required to repair or alter products
operating and monitoring equipment required for repairs and alterations to identify faulty operation
inspecting product and checking against quality standards, identifying any faults and taking appropriate action
recording results of inspection of finished product and completing client records
directing completed work to finish section.
Evidence of Knowledge
Evidence must be provided that demonstrates knowledge of:
safe work practices and procedures and use of personal protective equipment (PPE)
relevant Australian Standards
techniques in using and maintaining production machines
hand sewing techniques
characteristics of fabrics, threads and other materials used in garments
repair requirements, such as:
replacing zips, buttons or other fasteners by hand or machine
reinserting or attaching elastic
darning holes by hand or machine
garment damage:
holes, tears or rips
broken zips
worn elastic
broken seams or hems
lost buttons, hooks and eyes
preparing workstation and work before commencing sewing operations:
setting up workbench and seating according to work health and safety (WHS) practices
cleaning and checking machines
maintaining records
setting up and adjusting machines according to specifications for work
checking needles, attachments and parts
identifying, reporting or replacing worn needles and parts according to manufacturer
quality standards and practices
sequence of operations
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 performing garment repairs and alterations, 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 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 |
Repair process includes: | planning the deconstruction of the garment so the repair can be achieved |
Alterations include one or more of the following: | hems letting out, or taking in, seams for fit reshaping garment with dart and seams |
Measurements include one or more of the following: | depth of hem take-up or let-down sleeve length waist, bust or hip measurement |
Repair equipment includes one or more of the following: | blind hemmers buttonholers elasticators binders plain lockstitch sewing machine three, four or five thread overlocker zigzag sewing machine needles darning tools |
Set-up includes one or more of the following: | correct thread needle size and length needle guard tension setting attachments |
Operations include the following: | sewing techniques where the positioning, feeding and handling of work pieces involves discretionary changes, contouring or critical stopping points the special handling skills required to accommodate fabric variations all operations required to complete repair and alteration in construction |
Sectors
Not applicable
Competency Field
Clothing production