Produce sewn / seamed components in upholstery and soft furnishing

This standard covers the skills and knowledge required to produce seamed components used in upholstery and soft furnishing production by hand and through the use of machinery. This involves:

1. setting up sewing machines
2. stitching items

This standard is aimed at people working in the upholstery and soft furnishings industry. Components includes straight and shaped sews on symmetrical or asymmetrical pieces to produce structured forms, seams involving pleating, ruching and quilting and the stitching of applied items such as internal zips, other fastenings and pipings.

1. comply with health and safety requirements and procedures at all times
2. obtain specifications and requirements following standard operating procedures
3. obtain equipment and materials required to carry out the job following standard operating procedures
4. check equipment is set up, calibrated and in good working order following standard operating procedures and any manufacturer's instructions
5. check all materials required are to specification and free from faults following standard operating procedures
6. sew cut items in sequence to meet specifications
7. check sewn product conforms to shape and size requirements following standard operating procedures
8. check sewn product meets specification in terms of labels and trimmings
9. operate machinery following to manufacturers' instructions
10. inspect sewn products against specification
11. process completed work to next stage following standard operating procedures

1. relevant health and safety responsibilities
2. meaning of terms used in specifications
3. how to check equipment is set up and is in good working order
4. how to check materials and the common faults that can occur
5. the importance of machine, needle, foot, needle guard and spool checks
6. consequences of lubricants or debris being left on or around machinery and work surfaces