Application
This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge required to block and shape complex millinery shapes using millinery materials and hat blocks.
The unit of competency applies to selecting brim and crown hat blocks appropriate to the complex millinery shape and design, and using manual moulding and shaping operations to block the shapes in suitable millinery materials.
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 block and shape complex millinery | 2.1 | Analyse the shapes evident in the millinery design |
2.2 | Examine crown and brim shapes of millinery design | ||
2.3 | Identify other shapes and secondary components that will need to be blocked | ||
2.4 | Select millinery materials compatible with design and shapes to be blocked | ||
2.5 | Select covering and foundation materials for crown and brim | ||
2.6 | Select covering and foundation materials for blocked secondary components | ||
3 | Select and prepare block | 3.1 | Select block to suit design, shapes and materials to be used |
3.2 | Check for compatibility if several blocks are to be used for the one design | ||
3.3 | Clean and prepare hat blocks | ||
3.4 | Prepare millinery materials for blocking and shaping processes | ||
4 | Block the complex shapes by hand | 4.1 | Perform initial and final blocking and shaping by hand |
4.2 | Dry block and shape pieces or set on the hat blocks | ||
4.3 | Add stiffening to the blocked shapes, where required, according to the performance characteristics of the millinery materials | ||
4.4 | Conduct work according to workplace procedures | ||
4.5 | Prepare blocked shapes for the next step in the millinery production process | ||
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
analysing a millinery design to determine crown and brim shapes and shapes of other components
assessing suitability of millinery materials and components to the blocking and shaping operations required of the millinery design
identifying performance characteristics and handling of the selected millinery materials and components
preparing and manipulating traditional and non-traditional millinery materials to produce required shapes using hat blocks
using manual initial and final blocking and shaping techniques with hat blocks to achieve at least two (2) complex millinery shapes
finalising complex blocked shapes for millinery with an intricate and complex silhouette on at least two (2) occasions
preparing blocked shapes for the next step in the millinery production process
applying workplace procedures.
Evidence of Knowledge
Evidence must be provided that demonstrates knowledge of:
safe work practices and procedures and use of personal protective equipment (PPE)
the performance characteristics and handling of millinery materials
industry and product processes and equipment
preparation of hat blocks:
modifying the shape or head size of existing blocks
cleaning and removing any unwanted previous markings
applying a protective covering to the hat block
selecting a spinner or stand for the hat block
environmental aspects associated with the use of millinery solvents and adhesives
measures associated with the use of millinery solvents and adhesives
performance characteristics and handling of the selected millinery materials and components
complex millinery shapes:
a combination of unusual and contrasting shapes
intricate and complex silhouette
3-D shapes
2-D shapes
harmonious shapes
contrasting shapes
concave shapes
convex shapes
curvilinear shapes
combinations of shapes
blocked secondary components:
trims
functional extensions (e.g. collars)
aesthetic extensions
suitability of millinery materials and components to the blocking and shaping operations required of the millinery design
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 blocking and shaping complex millinery, 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 |
Complex shapes include one or more of the following: | a combination of unusual and contrasting shapes intricate and complex silhouette 3-D shapes 2-D shapes harmonious shapes contrasting shapes concave shapes convex shapes curvilinear shapes combinations of shapes |
Prepare millinery materials includes one or more of the following: | confirming the selection of materials according to the design confirming that selected materials are suited to the blocking and shaping process cutting materials to a manageable size, if required identifying handling and performance characteristics of the millinery materials steaming and/or moistening the materials according to identified handling and performance characteristics of the materials |
Sectors
Not applicable
Competency Field
Millinery