Clothing cutter

Clothing cutters mark, cut, shape, and trim textile or related materials according to blueprint or specification in the manufacture of wearing apparel.

The following job titles also refer to clothing cutter:

bespoke clothing cutter
cloth cutting machine operator
garment cutter
clothing cutter operator
fur cutter
fabric cutter
leather pattern cutter
clothing marker
production pattern cutter
creative pattern cutter

No formal educational credential is generally required to work as a clothing cutter.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Clothing cutter is a Skill level 2 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to clothing cutter.

clothing quality inspector
clothing product grader
wearing apparel patternmaker
embroidery machine operator
made-up textile articles manufacturer

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of clothing cutter. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of clothing cutter with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

clothing process control technician
clothing CAD technician
textile chemical quality technician
textile sourcing merchandiser
textile quality technician

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of clothing cutter.

• Manufacturing of wearing apparel: The  processes used to fabricate wearing apparel and the different technologies and machinery involved in the manufacturing processes.
• Manufacturing of made-up textile articles: Manufacturing processes in wearing apparel and made-up textiles. Different technologies and machinery involved in the manufacturing processes.
• CAD for garment manufacturing: Softwares of computer aided design for garment manufacturing which allow create 2 or 3 dimensional drawings.
• Standard sizing systems for clothing: Standard sizing systems for clothing developed by different countries. Differences among the systems and standards of different countries, the development of the systems according to the evolution of the shape of the human body and their usage in the clothing industry.

These skills are necessary for the role of clothing cutter.

• Coordinate manufacturing production activities: Coordinate manufacturing activities based on production strategies, policies and plans. Study details of the planning such as expected quality of the products, quantities, cost, and labour required to foresee any action needed. Adjust processes and resources to minimise costs.
• Distinguish accessories: Distinguish accessories in order to determine differences among them. Evaluate accessories based on their characteristics and their application in wearing apparel manufacturing.
• Create patterns for garments: Create patterns for garments using pattern making softwares or by hand from sketches provided by fashion designers or product requirements. Create patterns for different sizes, styles, and components of the garments.
• Distinguish fabrics: Distinguish fabrics in order to determine differences among them. Evaluate fabrics based on their characteristics and their application in wearing apparel manufacturing.
• Cut fabrics: Cut fabrics and other wearing apparel materials considering measures, placement of the fabrics in the cutting table in multiple layers, and making the most efficient usage of the fabric avoiding waste. Cut fabrics by hand, or using electric knives, or other cutting tools depending on the fabric. Use computerised systems or automatic cutting machines.
• Operate computerised control systems: Operate electronic or computerised control panels to monitor and optimise processes, and to control process start-up and shut-downs. Monitor and inspect equipment and systems to detect malfunctions.
• Bundle fabrics: Bundle fabrics and place several cut components together in a single package. Join related products and items together. Sort the cut fabrics and add them with the accessories required for assembling. Care for the adequate transportation to the sewing lines.
• Prepare production prototypes: Prepare early models or prototypes in order to test concepts and replicability possibilities. Create prototypes to assess for pre-production tests.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of clothing cutter. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Manufacturing of fur products: The process required to produce fur products, from choosing pelts, the techniques depending on the pelt, the chemicals for preservation and treatment, and the handling during the manufacturing process.
• Properties of fabrics: The influence of chemical composition and molecular arrangement of yarn and fibre properties and fabric structure on the physical properties of textile fabrics; the different fibre types, their physical and chemical characteristics and different material characteristics; the materials used in different processes and the effect on materials as they are processed. 

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of clothing cutter. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Use pattern-cutting softwares: Use pattern-cutting softwares in order to create templates for the manufacturing of wearing apparel, made-up textile articles, and textile products. Set adequate patterns in softwares for replicability of products taking into account sizes and shapes.

7532 – Garment and related pattern-makers and cutters

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References

1. Clothing cutter – ESCO