Tools, Equipment and Safety Practices in Garment Construction
This domain covers the measuring, marking, cutting, stitching and pressing tools used in garment construction, plus the safety rules that protect the worker and the machine. The exam tests tool identification, correct use and safe workshop habits.
Measuring and marking tools
- Flexible measuring tape for body and fabric measurement; it must not stretch.
- L-square and metre scale for right angles and long lines; French curve for armholes and necklines; hip curve for waist and hip shaping.
- Tailor's chalk, tracing wheel and carbon paper, dressmaker's pins, seam ripper and pinking shears.
- Needles: hand needle sizes vary with fabric weight; machine needle size is chosen for fabric, for example fine needles for silk and stronger needles for denim.
Cutting and stitching equipment
Shears with bent handles keep fabric flat. Rotary cutters suit layered fabric. The lockstitch machine forms a 300-class stitch; the overlock forms a 500-class edge stitch. Iron and pressing table are essential for professional finish.
Safety practices
Keep fingers away from the needle and use a needle guard; switch off and unplug before threading, cleaning or oiling; keep the machine earthed; never wear loose sleeves or dangling jewellery near moving parts; store pins in a cushion; dispose of broken needles in a closed container; keep the floor dry and wires clear.
Worked example
A student must cut a silk blouse. She selects fine machine needles, silk pins and sharp shears, keeps the fabric on the table with weights rather than many pins, and oils the machine after switching off. Reasoning: fine tools prevent snagging and needle holes, while switching off before oiling prevents accidental starting.
Traps
Using pinking shears for straight cutting instead of edge finishing; using a stretched tape; oiling a running machine; leaving scissors open on a chair.
Key points
- Match needle and thread size to fabric weight.
- French and hip curves shape different body areas.
- Switch off and unplug before cleaning or oiling.
- Keep pins, needles and blades stored safely.
- Pressing is part of construction, not an optional extra.