Produce scatter, box and bolster cushions

This standard covers the skills and knowledge required to prepare components and produce standard scatter, box and bolster cushions.

This involves:

1. measuring and cutting fabric

sewing the components

3. trimming and finishing

working in ways which maintain your own and others’ safety

This standard is aimed at people working in the upholstery and soft furnishings industry.

1. comply with health, safety and environmental requirements, relevant statutory regulations and industry standards/codes of practice at all times
2. identify and confirm specifications for the work being undertaken
3. work with colleagues to achieve specifications
4. organise materials, tools and equipment for work and keep work areas tidy
5. plan the cutting of fabrics to minimise waste and take account of design characteristics and handling implications of fabrics used
6. measure and mark out components within acceptable tolerance limits for fabrics being used
7. check fabric placement and alignment is appropriate for the type and number of components required and the fabric characteristics
8. protect fabrics from damage following standard operating procedures
9. check components are marked following standard operating procedures
10. place materials and components in their appropriate position following standard operating procedures
11. align and orientate components to meet fabric, pattern and design requirements
12. attach components in an efficient sequence to meet specifications
13. use sewing methods which are appropriate to the type of component to meet specifications
14. attach components to the required shape and finish
15. fit closure components to meet specifications
16. check there are no loose threads on the finished cushions
17. check the visual appearance of cushions meet the specifications
18. assemble components to meet specifications
19. attach components using appropriate sewing methods
20. position closures, trimmings and decorative finishes to give the required visual appearance
21. attach closures, trimmings and decorative finishes using methods which will give the required durability and appearance
22. carry out your work to the required quality and output to meet production schedules and targets
23. identify any problems and deal with them according to standard operating procedures
24. record information in the appropriate information systems
25. use fire safe cushion pad materials at all times
26. confirm finished cushions comply with current Furniture & Furnishings (Fire)(Safety) Regulations

1. relevant health, safety and environmental requirements, statutory regulations and industry standards/codes of practice that have to be complied with
2. how to confirm specifications for the work being undertaken
3. level of detail required in specifications
4. the meaning of terms used in technical specifications for cushion treatments
5. handling and cutting characteristics of different types of materials used
6. measurements and dimensions needed to ensure accurate cutting and fitting for different types of component
7. markers used for different types of fabric
8. cutting tolerances for components and in what ways this may be influenced by fabric type
9. the implications of not properly placing and aligning fabric before cutting
10. why it is important to minimise waste
11. how to take account of design characteristics such as pattern repeats and pile direction in planning cutting
12. functions and uses of different types of measuring and marking tools
13. steps taken to protect fabric from damage
14. handling characteristics of different fabrics and how this can affect their behaviour during positioning and sewing
15. composition of various fabrics
16. why the sequence in which components are attached is important to the efficiency of the process and the quality of the outcome achieved
17. how different trimmings and decorative finishes are applied
18. sewing methods used
19. methods of closures used
20. how to confirm the outcome quality matches specifications
21. trimmings and decorative finishes used in cushions and why
22. closures used for producing scatter, box and bolster cushions
23. type of problems that can occur and the standard operating procedures for dealing with them
24. information systems used and why it is important to record information
25. requirements of current Furniture & Furnishings (Fire)(Safety) Regulations