Professional clothing technology (5 cr)

Objective

You learn the core competences of clothes sewing and are able to use and adapt this competence in future projects.

You learn how to choose practical working methods and constructions for each type of clothing, and you deepen your sewing knowledge.

You learn how to sew the most common clothing articles and are able to use and adapt these skills in future projects.

Content

What are the basic steps when constructing an article of clothing?

What construction methods and steps are needed for different clothing types?

What are the relevant methods and processes in sewing clothes?

Course material

The study materials are primarily available on the course's Learn platform and from the course instructor. In addition to these, students can also use professional literature suitable for the course content – a good reference book for the course content is the "Handbook of Professional Garment Techniques" by Hanna Ylönen and Rosa Häkkinen, published by Otava in 2005.

Study forms and methods

The course on professional garment techniques introduces students to the basic skills of garment making so that they can instruct and create various garments in the future, especially for theater and performance wear.

During the course, students will utilize their previous basic sewing skills and apply this knowledge to garment making. New topics to be learned include, among others, the order of garment sewing, garment support and lining, the use of various fasteners in garments, working with fittings before making the actual garment, fitting the garment, and pattern making by shaping on a dress form or body.

The course is primarily conducted as in-person teaching in the textile workshop. During the course, students will work on either several smaller tasks or one larger task to be submitted at the end of the course – the teacher will provide instructions for submissions at the beginning of the course. At least one complete garment will be made according to the teacher's instructions. The course is not independently examinable but may include a small electronic exam.

Students can negotiate substitute demonstrations or tasks with the course instructor at the beginning of the course if they have previous professional-level studies in the field of clothing or significant hobby experience.

RDI and work-related cooperation

The course does not include separate workplace collaboration.

Timing of exams and assignments

The course assignments are evenly distributed throughout the course duration. Assignments are submitted either on a few agreed-upon dates during the course or as a single portfolio submission at the end of the course.

International cooperation

The course does not include international collaboration.

Student workload

The student's workload is calculated to be approximately 27 hours per 1 credit. In practice, this may vary depending on the student's prior knowledge and skill level. About half of the course consists of guided instruction, and the other half is independent work by the student.

Further information

For the course, students should have at least the following basic sewing tools:

Glass-headed pins and a selection of hand sewing needles
A few small spools of high-quality sewing thread
A pincushion
Fabric scissors
A measuring tape
A pen, chalk, or other suitable tool for marking fabric
A tracing wheel and tracing paper (carbon paper) designed for marking fabric
Masking tape
A small selection of pens and markers suitable for taking notes

Evaluation scale

1-5

Assessment methods and criteria

The purpose of the separate learning tasks is to familiarize the student with a new skill required in the profession. The tasks assess the acquisition of these skills. Each task is evaluated individually, and the final course assessment for the student is based on the partial tasks and the student's demonstrated activity during the course.

Activity includes, among other things:

Participation in in-person teaching
Receiving guidance
Ability to work independently with goals
Ability to independently search for information
A constructive attitude towards learning