Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to measure, mark out and cut single layer fabrics for the manufacture of curtains and soft furnishing accessories.
The unit applies to those in the furnishing industry cutting all types of single layer fabrics, including lining and interlining. It does not apply to cutting from patterns.
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. Prepare to cut single layer fabrics | 1.1 | Identify job and equipment requirements from work order |
1.2 | Select and lay out fabrics according work order and workplace procedures | |
1.3 | Inspect fabrics for flaws, design features affecting job requirements and required finish | |
1.4 | Select suitable scissors and blades and check prior to use for required sharpness, set, operation and safe condition | |
2. Undertake cutting process | 2.1 | Mark out measurements for pleat lines, hems, headings and special seam allowances using workplace-approved methods |
2.2 | Cut fabric according to work health and safety (WHS) requirements, job requirements, workplace procedures and material characteristics | |
2.3 | Hang fabric using required protective covers and attached care label information | |
3. Finish and dispatch work | 3.1 | Check that completed work complies with quality and work order requirements, and rectify identified deficiencies within scope of own role |
3.2 | Dispatch cut lengths according to workplace procedures | |
3.3 | Collect and store material that can be re-used, and dispose of waste safely and sustainably according to workplace procedures | |
3.4 | Clean work area and equipment, and tag damaged tools and equipment | |
3.5 | Complete required workplace records according to workplace procedures | |
Evidence of Performance
There must be evidence the candidate has completed the tasks outlined in the elements, performance criteria, and foundation skills of this unit, which must include the ability to:
accurately measure and cut fabric quantities to minimise waste and produce consistent quality items for at least five different work orders; each work order must relate to one of the following types of products:
curtain
cushion
drape
swag
upholstered furniture component.
Each of the above work orders must require a different type of fabric and number of items to be cut. One work order must require lining or interlining, and one hanging cut fabric.
In the course of completing each of the above five work orders, the person must:
interpret work order and locate required materials, tools and equipment
apply safe handling procedures
follow work instructions and safe operating and inspection procedures to:
minimise risk of injury to self and others
prevent damage to materials, equipment and products
maintain required production output and quality
use personal protective equipment (PPE)
identify special marking out requirements
use and dispose of waste sustainably
avoid backtracking, work flow interruptions and wastage
identify and resolve routine problems and faults encountered
Evidence of Knowledge
There must be evidence the candidate has knowledge of:
work health and safety (WHS) requirements to observe when cutting fabrics:
ergonomic criteria
personal protection requirements
work order requirements, and industry-accepted quality indicators and requirements, relating to the cutting process described in performance evidence:
safety considerations and potential dangers associated with cutting equipment
operation of work systems
environmental requirements of cutting operations
work flow requirements for cutting process
layout and key features of work order requirements relating to cutting single layer fabrics:
required fabrics
number of items to be cut
fabric sizes to be cut
required allowances
required equipment
workplace standards
workplace procedures for:
selecting and laying out fabrics
marking out measurements for pleat lines, hems, headings and special seam allowances
inspecting fabric types for flaws
identifying design features affecting job requirements
identifying and labelling cut-out materials
selecting and using cutting equipment:
blades
cutting machines
scissors
cutting out and labelling materials
hanging fabrics
checking tools and equipment and tagging damaged items
effect of cutting on fabrics
use of material features in realising attractive use of fabric patterns:
face of materials
naps
direction
pattern matches
Assessment Conditions
Assessment must occur in the workplace, or in a simulated environment that reflects workplace conditions and contingencies.
Access is required to:
single layer fabric required for the performance evidence, including lining or interlining
PPE applicable to job requirements
measuring and calculating equipment:
tapes
rulers
calculator and other workplace calculating equipment
cutting equipment:
scissors
blades
cutting machines
workplace documentation specified in the knowledge evidence.
Assessors of this unit must satisfy the assessor requirements in applicable vocational education and training legislation, frameworks and/or standards.
Foundation Skills
This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential to performance but not explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency. | |
Numeracy skills to: | interpret, discuss and use mathematical information in routine workplace documentation use mathematical information to complete measurements, calculate area and estimate material requirements |
Reading skills to: | interpret routine workplace documentation, including work orders, WHS requirements and workplace installation procedures |
Sectors
Soft furnishing