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Manufacturing & ProductionISCO 7532

Clothing cutter

A clothing cutter is a person who marks, cuts, shapes and trims textile and similar materials according to documentation or specification in the garment manufacturing process.

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Rate 5 of the 12 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

coordinate manufacturing production activities

distinguish accessories

create patterns for garments

distinguish fabrics

cut fabrics

About clothing cutter

The cutter starts from the lay, placing the pattern on the material so that the grain runs correctly and the waste between pieces is as small as it can be, before marking the layers and cutting the fabric, keeping the blade true through a stack that may be many plies deep. Where cutting is automated, the cutter operates computerised control systems and uses computer-aided design for garment manufacturing to prepare and nest the pattern before anything is laid out.

The material determines how the cut is made, so the cutter distinguishes fabrics by hand and by eye: a knit, a bias-cut woven, a pile fabric and a laminate each move differently under a blade and each demands a different allowance.

The cutter applies standard clothing size systems, and an error at the cutting stage is repeated across a whole batch. The cutter also prepares production prototypes, on which the cut is checked before series production. Knowledge of garment manufacturing and of finished textile goods manufacturing lets the cutter see how a piece will behave in sewing.

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (12)

manufacturing of wearing apparelmanufacturing of wearing apparelThe processes used to fabricate wearing apparel and the different technologies and machinery involved in the manufacturing processes.manufacturing of made-up textile articlesmanufacturing of made-up textile articlesManufacturing processes in wearing apparel and made-up textiles. Different technologies and machinery involved in the manufacturing processes.CAD for garment manufacturingCAD for garment manufacturingSoftwares of computer aided design for garment manufacturing which allow create 2 or 3 dimensional drawings.standard sizing systems for clothingstandard sizing systems for clothingStandard 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 ...coordinate manufacturing production activitiescoordinate manufacturing production activitiesCoordinate 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...distinguish accessoriesdistinguish accessoriesDistinguish accessories in order to determine differences among them. Evaluate accessories based on their characteristics and their application in wearing apparel manufacturing.create patterns for garmentscreate patterns for garmentsCreate 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 ...distinguish fabricsdistinguish fabricsDistinguish fabrics in order to determine differences among them. Evaluate fabrics based on their characteristics and their application in wearing apparel manufacturing.cut fabricscut fabricsCut 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...operate computerised control systemsoperate computerised control systemsOperate electronic or computerised control panels to monitor and optimise processes, and to control process start-up and shut-downs.bundle fabricsbundle fabricsBundle 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. ...prepare production prototypesprepare production prototypesPrepare early models or prototypes in order to test concepts and replicability possibilities. Create prototypes to assess for pre-production tests.
Optional (3) — show
properties of textile materialsproperties of textile materialsThe characteristics and properties of different textile and fabric materials. These include strength, flexibility, elasticity, softness, durability, heat insulation, low weight, water absorbency/repel...manufacturing of fur productsmanufacturing of fur productsThe 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...use pattern-cutting softwaresuse pattern-cutting softwaresUse 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 replicabilit...

Related Occupations

Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.

clothing product grader10 shared essential skillsclothing sample machinist10 shared essential skillswearing apparel patternmaker10 shared essential skillsclothing alteration machinist9 shared essential skillsclothing quality inspector9 shared essential skillsclothing technologist9 shared essential skillsclothing CAD patternmaker7 shared essential skillsclothing CAD technician7 shared essential skills

Frequently asked questions

What does a clothing cutter do?

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

What skills does a clothing cutter need?

A clothing cutter needs 12 essential skills, including manufacturing of wearing apparel, manufacturing of made-up textile articles, CAD for garment manufacturing, standard sizing systems for clothing, coordinate manufacturing production activities.

Will AI replace clothing cutter jobs?

The AI disruption score for clothing cutter is 50/100 (moderate risk). Skills most exposed to automation: manufacturing of made-up textile articles, CAD for garment manufacturing, standard sizing systems for clothing. Most resilient: bundle fabrics, manufacturing of fur products, manufacturing of wearing apparel.

Quick Facts

SectorManufacturing & Production
ISCO GroupFood processing, wood working, garment and other craft workers
Essential Skills12

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