This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to construct and sew Roman-style blinds to job requirements. The unit involves planning job requirements, identifying required fabrics and blind components to be used, and applying workplace procedures to ensure their safe and correct construction. The unit does not involve installing the blinds or constructing wood-weave style Roman blinds.

The unit applies to those constructing Roman-style blinds for any interior residential or commercial environment. The Roman blinds may be bonded, cascade, kooped, oriental, staggered, straight or relaxed. They may be made using lining, interlining or full block fabric. The battens used may be aluminium or timber.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

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:

safely and correctly measure and construct at least two different types of Roman-style blinds to required size and accuracy that match work order requirements.

One of the above blinds must be for a bay window, box bay window or corner window.

Each blind must be a different size and use a different fabric type, design, nap and pattern direction.

One blind must use standard lining and interlining and one blind must use block-out fabric.

One blind must use aluminium back battens and one blind must use timber battens.

In the course of constructing each of the above blinds, the person must:

interpret work order, and locate required specifications, tools and equipment

identify fabrics to be used and any special sewing requirements

apply safe lifting and handling requirements

follow work instructions, safe operating procedures and inspection processes to:

minimise risk of injury to self and others

prevent damage to materials, tools, equipment and products

maintain required production output and product quality

use power tools safely

use personal protective equipment (PPE)

use and dispose of waste sustainably

identify and resolve routine problems and faults encountered

avoid backtracking, work flow interruptions and wastage

work with others, recognising dependencies and using cooperative approaches to optimise work flow and productivity.

There must be evidence the candidate has knowledge of:

features of work order and supplier instructions relating to the blind construction specified in the performance evidence, and how to identify and interpret key information

emerging trends in constructing Roman-style blinds, including new materials and their associated energy ratings and fire retardant attributes

work order requirements, and industry-accepted quality indicators and requirements, relating to blind-construction described in performance evidence:

safety considerations and potential dangers, including risks to health from repetitive actions and prevention strategies

identifying work process problems and resolving within scope of own role

blind construction requirements relating to:

headboard and track requirements

cutting patterns and sequences

measuring and marking out fold or stitching lines

lining and interlining

mounting style

number and widths of panels

required fasteners

seam allowances and types

widths and numbers of finished blinds

work health and safety (WHS) regulations, standards, procedures, and practices specific to blind-construction described in performance evidence:

ergonomic criteria

controlling hazards and risks

eliminating hazardous materials and substances

using firefighting equipment and first aid equipment

using personal protective equipment:

hearing protection

protective clothing and head wear

respiratory protection

safety footwear

safety glasses and goggles

workplace procedures relating to:

communication channels and protocols

manual handling, including lifting and carrying

identifying required fabric, equipment and processes

cutting and laying out work to be sewn:

laying out lining and interlining materials and folding ready for sewing

matching and securing lining material patterns

methods for checking pattern matching and maintaining finished length

keeping pattern matches uniform within drops and across matching sets of blinds

machine sewing operations that match quality and work requirements

inspecting fabric and finished blind

responding to emergencies and evacuations

tagging and reporting faulty tools and equipment

disposing of waste safely and in an environmentally sustainable manner

recycling and re-use guidelines

using, cleaning, and storing tools and equipment

recording and reporting blind construction information

techniques for measuring, cutting, setting up and constructing blinds that:

comply with supplier instructions and manufacturer specifications

conform to quality requirements relating to:

even and appropriate seam stitch type, length and visibility

lining and interlining attachment to back of blind

required weights, stitch type and sewing method for hems

inserting and fixing batten pockets

end finishing

final length of finished blind

maximise the appearance of the finished work:

pattern matches

flat and straight seam lines

clean corners

secured beginning and end of threads

provide for economical use of labour and materials

types of common fabric faults and problems that occur during blind construction, and how to avoid and respond

types, characteristics, terminology, uses, design features and limitations of the following items required to construct the Roman-style blinds in performance evidence:

materials to be machined:

fasteners

headboard and track

interlining and curtain fabrics

lining

threads

power tools:

sewing machines

drills

pressing equipment

saws

staplers

hardware:

needle types suited to fabric used in the performance evidence

aluminium and timber battens

documentation requirements for blind construction described in performance evidence.

Assessment must occur in the workplace, or in a simulated environment that reflects workplace conditions and contingencies.

Access is required to:

fabrics to construct blinds specified in the performance evidence

sewing machine

PPE applicable to job requirements

WHS documentation specific to the construction

tools and equipment specified in the knowledge evidence

workplace documentation required for blind-construction process, including:

work orders

workplace procedures

equipment and supplier instructions, and manufacturer specifications.

Assessors of this unit must satisfy the assessor requirements in applicable vocational education and training legislation, frameworks and/or standards.

Soft furnishing